About the Universal Life Church
The Universal Life Church is a non-profit religious organization committed to defending the rights of our ministers and advocating for justice and equality in the courts across the United States.
Our History
The "Universal Life Church", as a concept, has been a fixture of American life since the 1950s. The first iteration of the Universal Life Church was founded by Kirby Hensley to advocate that anyone who feels so called should have the right to take control of their own spiritual ship. While our organization has no remaining legal or operational ties with Hensley's original organization, we are a direct spiritual descendant of that church and have continued to champion his basic philosophy. We are, by far, the largest and most active organization using the name "Universal Life Church" today and have used our platform to fight for the right of all to believe how they see fit, and love who they want to love.
Our Beliefs and Philosophy
Our overarching philosophy - we are all children of the same universe - informs and guides all of our actions and beliefs. As equal members of the same human family, we believe that all human beings, regardless of their gender identity, race, creed, color, or sexual orientation, are entitled to equal treatment under the law. We believe that regardless of identity or financial status, anyone who feels so called should have the right to take control of their own spiritual life and to believe and worship as they see fit. We believe that people should have the right to love who they want to love, and marry who they want to marry.
Our Ministers and Community
Ministers who were ordained online by the Universal Life Church are asked to abide by only two simple tenets when they apply for ordination:
- Do only that which is right.
- Every individual is free to practice their religion however they like as long as their actions do not impinge upon the rights or freedoms of others and are in accordance with the law.
Ministers of the Universal Life Church operate independently, and we are a non-hierarchical organization.
Our Commitment to Legal Advocacy
By opening the doors for anyone who felt so called to take control of their spiritual life, by championing same-sex and interfaith marriages, and by insisting on equality for all beliefs, we became a target for the established powers-that-be. Since the start, we've been fighting for justice and equality in the courts. We believe it is our duty to defend the rights of our ministers and to continue our broader fight for the civil rights of the communities they serve, and we remain committed to advancing and ensuring equal treatment under the law.
The ULC Legal Defense Fund
The ULC Legal Defense Fund exists to support the ongoing litigation activity of the Universal Life Church. All donations made to this fund are earmarked specifically for use in supporting these legal activities, and assist us in covering the costs of attorneys, filing fees, and other expenses associated with the court actions we bring. Every dollar donated to the Legal Defense Fund will go toward these important efforts, and we are thankful for every contribution we receive. If you feel called to support this work, make your contribution today.
Contact Us
You may contact the Universal Life Church at any time by sending an email to help@ulccaselaw.com
You may also call our office by dialing (206) 285-1086. We are open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday through Friday.
If you have materials you would like to mail, you may address those to:
ULC Case Law
1629 K Street NW, Ste 300
Washington, D.C. 20006
