There has always been countless conflicts and bloodshed over religious matters.

These conflicts, or ‘Holy Wars,’ are a thing that I have always found both odd and sad.

For the most part, religions almost always promote love, understanding, peace, unity, and salvation on some level.

However, there have been more deaths as a result of differing beliefs and misunderstanding than casulties due to war.

I think that it’s time to find people who want to embrace religious tolerance and peace— so that’s exactly what I did.

After some time researching, I found the Universal Life Church.

Jody Barber

This church started in 1959 as a religious organization based on two central beliefs:

“Every person has the natural right (and the responsibility) to peacefully determine what is right,” and “We are all children in the same universe.”

In more recent times, they have expanded past their original location of Modesto, California and moved to a primarily online organization.

The ULC is a strong supporter for the freedom of religion, immediately stating that its members welcome and accept all faiths. Another ground-breaking achievement that the Universal Life Church has committed itself to is ‘free legal ordination for life.’

They believe that no outside force can determine if a person is to be ordained – only God. Therefore within minutes, you can become one of the ULC’s 20+ million legally ordained ministers.

I was elated at finding this church. All religious organizations seem to promote ‘religious tolerance’ until it’s no longer convenient, but this church was actually committed to not only religious tolerance, but religious love and understanding.

I was, however, instantly skeptical of the free ordination—I could not believe that someone would/could give it away so freely.

I have been a follower of a not-so-mainstream faith for many years, and was deeply interested in ministry.

Naturally, I did not believe that someone who was certified to license a minister would license me, due to my choice in faiths.

When I found the ULC, I immediately contacted various clerks of state in Georgia to validate that this type of organization was legitimate—it was! So I, too, became one of the ULC’s many ministers.

After my ordination, I further examined the ULC’s wide range of tools for their ministers.

The online church website is filled with tips on how to improve your ministry, information on perform weddings of different faiths, a collection of minister-submitted sermons, and prayer requests among many other things, including the ordination form.

The church really seems to take an interest in helping their clergy along their religious path.

So, if you’re interested in ministry and believe that all faiths can exist together in this world, the Universal Life Church might be the place for you.