Innerfire

Yes I do, sorry. That is my own shorthand to tell them apart, by location.

Hello, I am new here, and hoping to find some calmer discussions than the ones I started with. I renewed my ordination with ULC-CA in September (previously with now-defunct Order of Melchizedek in 2003). Also with ULC-WA and Open Ministry before I found ULC-CA. I am now enrolled in ULC Seminary in Chaplaincy and Comparative Religions. I feel I am settled in with ULC-CA. I tend to help people wherever I go, whatever I am doing, and this has been my way for 30 years, so I see my ordination as an extension of my natural path. Not sure yet how it will play out, but I'm not worried about it - I just know it will. peace be with you kim

Hmmm. Well then why do all major and even minor religions agree on things like, murder and indiscriminate killing is wrong, honor your ancestors and elders, treat others with respect, and that some form of law is needed to keep society running fairly smoothly (governance)? Pretty universal.

Was this question ever answered? Just wondering.

Ok - human beings HAVE free will. My point still stands. It seemed to me the debate was about the origin of evil and the question of sin, unless I misunderstood something?

Human beings were created with free will - conscious ability to choose our behaviors and actions. Thus, we can choose to do right or wrong, assuming we KNOW right from wrong. This is true across all cultures and religions, certain universally understood moral concepts generallh apply (known as the Universal Laws). Atheists, secularist, humanists, etc. also understand these laws and moral concepts. You don't need to be a Christian or a Bible scholar to understand these things, but it helps to care about people.

Note - the first and most important definiton of jihad is to strive against the evil inclinations and desires within oneself, or to struggle against one's own desires to sin. That is the hardest battle and the most important jihad in Islam. The second most important jihad is to defend others, including other Muslims, one's family and home, against violence and attacks - self-defense, never the aggressor. That leads to the third jihad, which is engaging in war of self-defense of land, people, country, which must be avoided as a last resort, only if necessary. Most Muslims are focused on the first jihad, but sadly, with so much discrimination and ignorance about Islam in the world today, must focus on the second as well, to protect themselves and their families. :/

Where I am, people don't accept it because I did not go through an established seminary or a Judeo-Christian recognized organization, and an online ordination sounds like a "fly by night" setup to most people where I am. However, my father is a retired pastor who had his own church in an established major denomination, and he "sort of" recognizes me. I did not set out to be a minister or pastor, not really. My strength is more in pastoral counseling (not officially), in that everyone talks to me and asks me for assistance and always has. I never tried to do this, it just happens - everywhere. I have always kept confidentiality naturally, so it was never a problem. Now due to my job, I am also a mandated reporter and have resources to direct people to as needed, so that helps also. My plans (eventually) are that I hope to do interfaith chaplaincy work, not necessarily in law enforcement, but with elderly, addictions, crisis centers, family supports, special needs, unusual settings that call for unusual skill sets. I tend to "go where I'm needed" and I often don't know where that will be, I just end up there, or people will find me. That is my thinking ....... Will see how it turns out.