Soon to be ordained.

[GreenLadyOfDankDowns]

Two of my closest friends are engaged to be married, and for some unknown reason they asked me perform their wedding ceremony. :wtf: So I signed up for an ordination program through a nondenominational spiritual center. In the mean time my friends are planning a very secular pagan ceremony and reception. I have been a pagan for thirteen years, and have to admit I have thought about doing this for a while. To supplement my studies I am going to take some courses at the local University. It is my belief that it would be beneficial to gain a basic working knowledge of a broad spectrum of world religions. I'm definitely taking Latin and Anthropology. I can afford to take two additional classes. I've been considering; Early Christian Studies, Animistic Paganism, Neolithic Religion, Modern Spirituality, and Asiatic Religions. I can't make up my mind which two I should take at this time. Any ideas?

[JunkYard]

Universal Life Church Free Online Ordination - Become A Minister Online (http://www.themonastery.org/?destination=ordination)

I went through them. (Instant ordination)

[GreenLadyOfDankDowns]

I've heard of them. The reason I'm not doing that is due to my feeling that I need more knowledge and experience before I become ordained.

[JunkYard]

You have thirteen years experience in paganism. That's nothing to laugh at! Don't sell yourself short by adopting dogma that doesn't fit your views. ULC will ordain no matter what religion you practice. If you feel comfortable as a pagan, I'd go through ULC.

I did it years ago, my views are ever changing, but I'm still ordained and can legaly perform weddings and such. I've even had a few people come to me to confess thier sins, haha. I always tell them to forgive themselves, and that's enough.

How long will your way take?

[GreenLadyOfDankDowns]

I'll be ordained in six months which will be in time for my friends' wedding. The extra classes I will continue to take after ordainment. I'm not studying in order to adopt dogma which I don't believe. I just think it is important to have a basic understanding of the different faiths of the world.

[JunkYard]

cool, cool! Yeah, I like to study different religions, too. A closed mind is a terrible thing...

I'd look into modern spirituality, and perhaps early christian studies like gnostics.

Good stuff! :thumbsup:

[smoke it]

Modern Spirituality and Animistic Paganism.

[GreenLadyOfDankDowns]

I'm thinking that the Modern Spirituality class should be on my schedule, but the second elective is harder to pick. Animistic Paganism sounds like a class I'd really enjoy, but Neolithic Religion interests me as well. Hmmm.

[Storm Crow]

Lady, if it were me, I'd go with the Neolithic and the Animistic! Those would be my top choices. The two would compliment each other and likely you could "double up" on the research using much of the same data for both term papers. (I did that researching Catal Hoyuk- I did 3 papers - ceramics, early history and cultural anthropology classes.) I envy you your University, I'm way out in the boonies with just a little community college that I have "drained dry" of all interesting classes. :( On the other hand, I have Mt. Shasta (gorgeous!) near by and I can educate myself with the internet. Whatever you take, enjoy! Blessed be- Granny:hippy:

[GreenLadyOfDankDowns]

I lucked out geographically I suppose. I have five colleges and universities within a half hour drive of my home. You definitely have a point regarding doing research and the like. I may well sign up for those. Thanks for the input.

[whitestalkslongwalks]

cool; i got my professor/climbing partner/mentor to do my wedding, and it was good. one of my fav. people in the world

i got divorced, but if i ever get married again, it's going to be chill; no govt. involvement, just commitment between souls