|
Is online ordination legal?
The United States Constitution guarantees our rights of Freedom
of Religion. That includes becoming and ordained minister from a Christian online ordination ministry, issuing Independent
Church Charters, and free bible based Christian training.
The following is excerpted from the court's decision
in this case. The Universal Life Church is referred to as Plaintiff:
"...an Honorary Doctor of Divinity is a strictly religious title with no academic standing. Such titles may be issued
by bona fide churches and religious denominations, such as plaintiff, as long as their issuance is limited to a course of
instruction in the principles of the church or religious denomination... The statute is silent as to recognized honorary titles
conferred for some meritorious recognition."
The court then addressed
the issue of whether the ordination of ministers, granting of church charters, and the issuance of Honorary Doctor of Divinity
certificates are substantial activities which do not further any religious purpose. The following is excerpted from the court's
decision:
"Certainly the ordination of ministers and the chartering
of churches are accepted activities of religious organizations... The fact that the plaintiff distributed ministers' credentials
and Honorary Doctor of Divinity certificates is of no moment. Such activity may be analogized to mass conversions at a typical
revival or religious crusade."
Now here is the real meat of the court's decision, and the part that
guarantees the legality of your ordination:
"Neither this Court, nor any branch
of this Government, will consider the merits or fallacies of a religion. Nor will the Court compare the beliefs, dogmas, and
practices of a newly organized religion with those of an older, more established religion. Nor will the Court praise or condemn
a religion, however excellent or fanatical or preposterous it may seem. WERE THE COURT TO DO SO, IT WOULD IMPINGE UPON THE
GUARANTEES OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT."
So you can see, your ordination is completely legal and every bit as respectable
as an ordination from any other church. If you'd like to read the complete case decision, it's filed in the U.S. District
Court, Eastern District of California, Civil No. S-1954.
These above laws apply only to The USA. If you live in any
other Country it is up to you to check out the marriage laws in what ever country you live in.
|
