Have you seen how freaking easy it is to become ordained on the internets?

[YellowRubberDuckie]

Do a google search: How do I get ordained online? And there TONS of sites, some free, where you can get ordained! Anyone here ordained?
Duckie

[bowens43]

1. It is easy .

I was ordained in the Universal Life Church 4 or 5 years ago . My certificate is hanging on the wall in my cubical at work.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

2. It's not a scam then?

I am always leery about stuff. Give me the lowdown? Thanks
Duckie

[bowens43]

6. Here's a link.

http://www.ulc.net/

Is it a scam? I don't know but the certificate is nice. I don't think I would try to claim to be tax exempt or perform marriages or anything.

[caty]

4. Do you get a

tax break?

[RevCheesehead]

18. Clergy don't get tax breaks, but the churches do.

Clergy are considered to be "self-employed," and pay SSI at 15%. My taxes are roughly 1/3 of my salary.

[caty]

22. Didn't know that.

I always thought the clergy got a tax break. Thanks for clearing that up.

[LibDemAlways]

3. I'm not, but I attended the wedding of a

high school classmate last year presided over by another classmate who got his ordination papers off a website. That guy and his current wife had been married a year earlier by her daughter, who also was "ordained" off the web. Apparently all legal, in California anyway.

[Book Lover]

5. Also, in CA

any person (I assume you have to not be in jail or listed as a sex offender...) can be deputized for a single day in order to perform a single ceremony. Apparently, Tom and Ray Magliozzi did that a few years ago so they could marry a couple of family friends...

[BlueJazz]

7. Yes..I'm Ordained and I'm an Atheist..I'm Serious.

I signed up for a quick course (One Hour) on a Whim and they sent me a Certificate of Paster-hood.

I could start my own Church if I truly wanted to..
Ain't the world strange sometimes??

[YellowRubberDuckie]

8. Where do you live?

[BlueJazz]

9. In Florida. That will be 20 dollars ..Brother.

;)

[BlueJazz]

11. Opps..I mean Sister...

[Reverend_Smitty]

10. They don't call me Reverend Smitty for nothing

I got ordained through ULC about a year and a half ago. I haven't preformed any marriages as of yet but as far as I know I'm a legit minister in the state of NJ

[Akoto]

12. Wow. So ...

If you were to sign up through the ULC, you could call yourself a minister and it'd be legit? Something about this just seems way too easy.

Does this only count for where the actual, physical church is, or does the ULC ordainment work in any state?

[Reverend_Smitty]

13. Each state has it's own laws

like NY for instance requires you to register with the state and show them proof of ordination which basically means you have to order the certificate from ULC and show it to the county clerk. But some states do not.

[Akoto]

14. Thanks!

I was really just curious. As I am not Christian, I doubt that I'd fit in very well as an ordained person. Then again, there was the athiest several posts above ... :)

[Reverend_Smitty]

15. You don't have to be a Christian to join

In existence since 1959, the Universal Life Church is headquartered in Modesto, California, and has congregations around the world. The sun never sets on the Universal Life Church. ULC ministers come from all walks of life and spiritual traditions. Our common thread is our adherence to the universal doctrine of religious freedom:

"Do only that which is right".

Every person has the natural right (and the responsibility) to peacefully determine what is right. We are advocates of religious freedom.

The Universal Life Church wants you to pursue your spiritual beliefs without interference from any outside agency, including government or church authority.

so it's actually a pretty accepting bunch...hell you don't even need to believe in God to join

[Pystoff]

16. Yes it is if you are chosen

I am ordained in the First Unified Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. I was touched by his noodly appendage and that's all it took as he chose me to spread his message!

O8) http://www.venganza.org/

[Baclava]

17. You can call me Reverend, brother...

Now all's I need is a free-agent God and a tax plan.

[jandrok]

19. I am an ordained ULC minister.

Got my certificate proudly framed on my office wall at work. Gives people pause when they notice it. Texas recognizes the ULC ministry as being 100% legitimate. I can perform marriages, give last rites, etc.

And I'm a Notary Public, so I'm kind of like a one-stop shop.

[Baclava]

24. Same here...

Did I mention that I do healing and cleansing rituals that work quite nicely in calming the elemental spirits of all dimensions?

I am here for you my Brothers...my alms covert to PayPal for your convenience.

[jandrok]

25. I'll take payment in the form of spirits.....

Elemental or otherwise. I prefer single-malt Scotches and well-aged bourbons. Wine will do in a pinch, and I'll always take beer. Microbrewed only, please, I'm a snobby beer-drinker.

[RevCheesehead]

20. Damn. All that $$ for a degree.

All that work to get through Div School, all the blood, sweat and many tears to get through the hurdles to ordination.... and now you tell me it could have been that easy??? :cry:

[scarlet_owl]

21. I'm an ordained minister through ULC.

[NaturalHigh]

23. A friend of mine got an online ordination.

A few days later he was hospitalized for a week. He hasn't talked about being an ordained minister since then.

[tarkus]

26. My dad performed a marriage for someone after being ordained online.

A former student wanted him to marry him and his wife, and so he got ordained online and did just that.