The Modesto Bee has an interesting profile piece on the Universal Life Church, which is well known in Pagan circles. In 1962, the ULC began offering clergy ordinations by mail, and once the internet came along, their business really started booming.
The ULC was founded by Kirby Hensley, a former construction worker who thought it was unfair that churches didn't have to pay taxes. As a protest, he started his own church in his garage, and sold mail-order clergy certifications for $5. Kirby Hensley was unable to read or write, but managed to get some fairly memorable quotes into the public eye, thanks to appearances on numerous talk shows. Following his death in 1999, the ULC was run by his widow, Lida. She died in 2006, and then son Andre Hensley took the reins.
One reason the Universal Life Church is so important is that they've provided certification for Pagan and Wiccan clergypersons who were unable to get ordained anywhere else. While the lack of a central governing body is what draws a lot of people into Pagan paths, it also has been problematic for people who wish to be legally ordained so that they can solemnize marriages or perform other services, because many states require some sort of licensing. The ULC has managed to fill that gap quite well, and although you can sign up literally anyone (including your dog and fictional characters) for a free certificate, the fact remains that some states will accept a ULC ordination as a valid license for clergy.
It should be noted that in the past few years, there's been some grumblings amongst legislatures about whether a ULC certification should actually be considered valid, and in a couple of cases, marriages were ruled null and void because of the minister's ULC affiliation. However, that hasn't stopped people from signing up for ordination certificates -- in fact, over 18 million have been produced by ULC since 1962.
The ULC was founded by Kirby Hensley, a former construction worker who thought it was unfair that churches didn't have to pay taxes. As a protest, he started his own church in his garage, and sold mail-order clergy certifications for $5. Kirby Hensley was unable to read or write, but managed to get some fairly memorable quotes into the public eye, thanks to appearances on numerous talk shows. Following his death in 1999, the ULC was run by his widow, Lida. She died in 2006, and then son Andre Hensley took the reins.
One reason the Universal Life Church is so important is that they've provided certification for Pagan and Wiccan clergypersons who were unable to get ordained anywhere else. While the lack of a central governing body is what draws a lot of people into Pagan paths, it also has been problematic for people who wish to be legally ordained so that they can solemnize marriages or perform other services, because many states require some sort of licensing. The ULC has managed to fill that gap quite well, and although you can sign up literally anyone (including your dog and fictional characters) for a free certificate, the fact remains that some states will accept a ULC ordination as a valid license for clergy.
It should be noted that in the past few years, there's been some grumblings amongst legislatures about whether a ULC certification should actually be considered valid, and in a couple of cases, marriages were ruled null and void because of the minister's ULC affiliation. However, that hasn't stopped people from signing up for ordination certificates -- in fact, over 18 million have been produced by ULC since 1962.
My hubby is ordained, as is his friend who officiated our wedding! That friend has now done a few weddings/commitment ceremonies. I think it is wonderful that we didn’t have to “lie” and hire someone of a faith we don’t believe in, just to be married.
I’m not ordained, but am a notary public in my state of South Carolina, so I can make marriages and handfastings legal. Last fall some friends of mine got married and part of her coven came over from England for the spiritual part of the handfasting and I got to participate as well, to legalize the ceremony. It was a wonderful experience for those of us who are pagans and non-pagans as well! Just wanted to let you know there is an alternative to ordination and these days it’s fairly easy to become a notery (even though I did it the hard way!).
Blessed Be!
Andrea
Personally, I am ordained throught the church of Spirital Humanism. However, all my friends are ordained with the ULC. One of them is Ordained with the ULC, but also as a notary public she performs weddings and hand-fastings. I was there as she married mutual friends on Valentine’s Day.
I’m an advocate of separation of church and state. In France, if you want a religious ceremony you have to get married twice. They take separation of church and state seriously! You have to have a civil wedding with a government official and then if you want you can have a religious ceremony at your church/synagogue/ temple. Clergy do not have the authority to legally marry someone one. This would save on a lot of hassle here in the US. Eveyone would just take a trip to their local JP to get married. The religious ceremony would be simply a show of faith not a legal agreement.
It is illegal to ordain pets and fictional characters through ULC. You have to lie to do that and it opens you up to the possibility of being sued. The ULC does not deny anyone because of their name — whatever it may be.