gizaap
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Posts posted by gizaap
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I received a copy of this in an email group for the ULCCF today. Its seems be fitting to the original topic so I quote in entirety.
"On Oct 14, 2013, at 12:24 PM, Frank Coleman wrote:
Morpheus: “The Matrix is a system, Neo. That system is our enemy. But when you're inside, you look around, what do you see? Businessmen, teachers, lawyers, carpenters; the very minds of the people we are trying to save. But until we do, these people are still a part of that system... You have to understand; most of the people are not ready to be unplugged. And many of them are so inured, so hopelessly dependent on the system that they will fight to protect it.”
It is all they know. The main point is once you are comfortable with the institutional church, there is a real cost to unplugging.
We need to count the cost of freedom and growth. Many “church” people will react in fear we we stop playing the “church” game. When people are fearful, they usually react in the fight of flight mode, in which they will either turn away from you or turn on you. Most of us, while under the influence of the church system, were fairly fearful. We have been programed by the church system to be fearful about most everything. We are afraid of God because the Old Testament Law is still taught in church, as if we, by our own willpower, could ever keep it. We couldn't, so we often felt like failures. We were certainly afraid to question the many contradictions of the church life because we would have risked rejection or ostracization. We were afraid to think for ourselves for fear that we might come up with a different answer to the church dogma and be out of sync with our friends, denomination, or church beliefs. We were taught if you are “out of church” too long that the devil will get a hold of you, trick you, hurt you, and cause you to backslide.
Church attenders have been assimilated onto a system that is based on this world's ways, disguised as the Body of Christ. Things contrary to Christ abound: association around a denomination (division), approval based on works, coercion and manipulation using shame and guilt, law keeping, motivating by using fear, honoring the wealthy, to name a few. Many people have been involved in church for years, or even decades. Church involvement is not an easy pattern to get free from because we get so entrenched in it. But freedom does exist.
-Excerpt from, “Was church God's Idea?” by Marc Winter (italacs & bold mine)"
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Most of the book is gobbledygook to my educated mind.
I skipped to the section about Jesus. The story is a fun read but sometimes disconnected as if multiple writers filled in stuff or someone felt the need to explain what they wrote.
I can't see myself being too inspired by this work.
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Secular is without religion. If religion is being injected to a secular activity then keeping it secular will appear to be anti-religious due to resistance to the encroachment of religion.
Yep.
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But do you personally preference the freedom of everyone, before your religious/spiritual beliefs?
A. I prefer freedom for everyone and their individual religious/spiritual beliefs can remain secondary as long their beliefs do not infringe on my freedom.
Does Liberty require a secular governance of a nation, to ensure the freedom of religion?
B. Yes. However, therein lies the issue of what is meant by secular. I believe that to mean no endorsement of any specific religion in favor of another. However, I'm troubled with what seems to be an almost anti-religion perspective on the term secular since I believe we are all influenced by some form of spiritual perspective.
Or should Liberty take a back seat if it means tolerating things that go against your religion?
Liberty should never take back seat. Although, ensuring liberty for all practically means tolerating things. This answer may appear contradictory to the first answer. I don't think it has to be.
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I'll just state: 'Excellent, Brother, be blessed.'
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Psalm 106:1
1 Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. -
Since I asked each individual about their own experience, which sort of answer would best fit the question?
One day longer than how old you were when you became responsible enough to make the important choices in your life.
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I'm sincerely surprised that I haven't seen more feedback on this subject. That being stated, I thank those of you that have provided feedback.
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May you all be blessed not just this weekend but always! What a wonderful group of people you all are--very special. I am so blessed to be able to be part of this group.
I wish you all the blessings of heaven and earth, and wishing you all the best, especially love and the warmth of your family!
May God or whomever you wish to call our Great Creator shine the most Holy Light upon you and protect you and your loved ones always!
With love peace and blessings,
Suzanne
God's love is Great. Happy Easter.
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Please continue ...
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I am a Doctor of the Universe!! ahem...anyway while taking that course I became convinced that Kirby was a nut (in a good way, but nevertheless).
Interesting insight. Thanks for the response.
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I was serious. I have 3 acrredited degrees of a securlar nature so I wasn't curious from a resume standpoint.
However, from a spiritual standpoint there is always something to learn or reflect on.
Brother Earl
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Just picked up a book tonight that I am anxious to read.
The Code of the Holy Spirit --- By: Perry StoneBrother Earl
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I didn't see this discussion on the forum and I searched so if I missed it, I apologize. Please don't hesitate to steer me in the right direction.
Have the ministers here discussed how they have benefited from the ULC Courses in terms of learning or spiritual progression?
I was curious about any insights. I am referring to the courses offered at http://www.ulc.net/index.php?page=shop&cat=17
Brother Earl
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I never stick to one book long enough. Tonight, I read some Bible, some from the 'Abide Guide', this forum, read some articles from Survival Magazine, some other information ... etc.
Three accredited college degrees and I'm still ADHD when it comes to reading.
Be blessed,
Brother Earl
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Just a thought. You might consider adding your address and phone number to the site where you have the web contact form. Some one like me can get your address and phone number information easily enough by doing a Whois search but a prospective couple looking to get married may not feel comfortable filling out a webform without a little more detail on who they would be working with or where you have your office.
By the way, your domain name service probably has a way to prevent your contact information from being visible in a Whois registry but it may cost a little more.
I like some of the features you have in the weebly subdomain for the linked site.
Best wishes as you seek and serve,
Brother Earl
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Just heard from HQ and they do not claim this site at all and are honestly disturbed by the claims that it makes.
That doesn't surprise me a bit. I had that website bookmarked in a folder to go back and check on later. It seemed odd but usually it is easier to discern. Thanks for the follow-up folks.
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Pleased to meet you Brother Earl.
Yours was a most interesting and insightful self-introduction.
I enjoyed reading it, and thank you for sharing your views with us all.
Bro. Hex
Thank you.
I have more to share but ya'll got the brief version. I did notice I really didn't fully answer the question about why I became ordained by ULC.
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I was ordained out of curiosity a couple of years ago. Then I spent sometime figuring out the Universal Life Churches. Decided that ULC at Modesto was the founding church, period, end of sentence.
Then I dug in and realized I can't agree with what the founder wrote in many cases, then I read some more and realized, to my level of understanding that much of what he wrote was designed to 'kick people's butts' out of religious complacency for what they believed as individuals. Okay, maybe that's just the way I see it.
Then, I recently purchased a minister's kit and read the introductory booklet for the Universal ministry. The doctrine of the Universal Life Church as founded at Modesto, CA, is something I can agree with. I read the last page and it indeminified me for my thoughts of the founder's writings.
In any case, I am a full supporter of everyone's freedom of religion and freedom of religiion. My family and extended family are primarily Christians of various levels of faith. I have recently stumbled across a cousin who has appeared to be Atheist but really is simply anti-Christian for some reason which remains a mystery but in the simplest sense he is a good kid, nonetheless. If I get a chance, I 'll talk to him about ULC and get him thinking beyond his thinking. There has been much tragedy in my family and even my father called me a "Jesus freak" at an earlier stage in my life.
I was baptized in the Baptist Church and the faith which hasn't failed me. I believe in one Almighty God, Creator of the Universe, Heaven, and Earth. I believe in his most excelllent teacher, Jesus Christ, often referred to as His only begotten Son and the Holy Spirit.
I believe that religion as we know it is created by man and therefore is whacked and often leads people to something other than a beneficial life on this earth. I believe that religions of man, as often perverted by man, have been the cause of much atrocity in the world past and present.
Peace be with all. May God bless you as you seek.
Brother Earl
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Paul was a true and faithful apostle of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
View Of Ulc Today
in * Welcome - ULC Minister's Introduction Junction *
Posted
"what is your view of ULC NOW.....not why you joined but I guess why you are hooked on staying?"
The ULC appears to be weathering the course of time just fine. It serves in my desire to seek my path as a person of independent christian persuasion.
"What attracts you and holds you to the Forum?"
I don't post often to the forum but that doesn't mean I don't read it a great deal. Every so often, I'll see a reference and/or a new perspective that I hadn't considered. There's value in some of the posts that may never be fully understood.