New Chapter In Feud With Irs Goes To Court
ORLANDO, Fla. Three former Orlando residents are on trial in U.S. District Court on charges of conspiring to defraud the Internal Revenue Service by recruiting church members to the controversial Universal Life Church and advising them how to write off much of their income.
The theme of the overt acts in this trial is there is a sucker born every minute, and in Central Florida . . . there were a number of suckers, Bruce Hinshelwood, a federal prosecutor, told the jury in the trial of Scott Slayback Jr., 60, William Wakeman Jr., 46, and David Hurley, 54.
Dentists, schoolteachers and principals, housewives, executives and salesmen paid up to $1,500 to join the Modesto, Calif.-based church, which has been locked in a feud with the IRS nationwide for more than a decade.
Members were told they could write off half or all of their income by donating it to church chapters they formed, Hinshelwood said.
Why Hensley Founded The Universal Life Church
- As part of its inclusive, non-denominational nature, the Universal Life Church espouses the idea that there is no one true religion.*
Kirby Hensley grew up in a Baptist family. Not being content with just one interpretation of religion, he made a point to observe the practices and belief systems of other Christian churches. What Hensley did not find in these churches was a religious message that personally fulfilled him. By founding the Life Church, Hensley hoped to find his own religious calling. He believed that there is no “one size fits all” religion instead, he believed that it is up to every spiritual person to develop a personally-crafted faith system of their own. Hensley incorporated his church as the Universal Life Church on May 2, 1962 in order to apply the concept of universal religious freedom.
Foundation And Early Growth
The Universal Life Church was founded by Kirby J. Hensley, “a self-educated Baptist minister who was deeply influenced by his reading in world religion”. Religious scholar James R. Lewis wrote that Hensley “began to conceive of a church that would, on the one hand, offer complete freedom of religion, and could, on the other hand, bring all people of all religions together, instead of separating them”. With this aim, he sought to establish “a new religion that would emphasize what all religions have in common”, establishing this entity in 1959 under the name “Life Church” in Modesto, California. He first held services in his garage, and incorporated the organization in 1962.
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About Universal Life Church
- Universal Life Church in Modesto, California is a Christian congregation serving the Modesto community and encouraging others through a life-changing Christian journey.We seek to serve God by working for justice and peace, respect and learn from all the great faith traditions and desire to be known by the love we have for one another.
Who Is The Real Universal Life Church
This is an important announcement regarding some changes that have happened at the Universal Life Church.For additional, independent verification of what’s going on, click Seattle Weekly. You can also check out: The Stranger.com.
As some of you are aware, the ulc. org site changed hands in August 2006. Due to a series of unconfirmed circumstances, there was an abrupt change of who controlled the ulc. org domain name and site. It is currently in the control of George Freeman and his associates, currently signing the site as ‘Br. Martin’ and using a variety of websites, most notably ‘themonastery.org.’ The circumstances of this change were in dispute among the parties in the court system. With so many people asking questions, I felt it necessary to add a page to the Seminary site to let people know what’s going on.
****For a list of who owns which domains, so you can be sure you are supporting the group of your choice, please click DOMAINS.
For many years, the ulc. org site was owned by Daniel Zimmerman. Many of you have had dealings with him and have formed your own opinions as to his honesty and integrity. According to Daniel, George was his best friend. Until August 2006, the ulc. org site was an authorized site affiliated with headquarters. Daniel is now deceased.
Any products you purchase from that site do not have the sanction of headquarters, nor the blessing of the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education, so proceed with that awareness.
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How To Become A Minister
The Universal Life Church believes that all people are naturally endowed with the right to control their own spiritual life, and thus that all those who feel so-called should have access to ordination.
Ordination at the Universal Life Church is completely legal, is cost-free, and isn’t complicated. An ancient Chinese proverb instructs us that the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Within you lies the capacity to make the universe a better place, and your ordination may well unlock that potential. You can take your first step today by completing and submitting your online ordination application now. Additionally, you can delve into more ordination information.
Universal Life Church Inc V United States
In Universal Life Church v. United States, 372 F. Supp. 770 , a case concerning the tax-exempt status of Universal Life Church, Inc. in Modesto, California, the Court seemed to draw such a distinction, see id, at 772-73, but testimony of the church’s founder was that the church developed the honorary degrees because its policy was to issue ministerial credentials upon request, id. at 772.
summarizing testimony of Rev. Hensley, founder
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Later Expansion And Division
The Universal Life Church ran into difficulties as new branches of the ULC were granted charters and began moving off in different directions. The Modesto group struggled to maintain control over these other entities as ULC affiliates grew in number. There are currently multiple groups operating under the ULC name, most of which are unaffiliated in practice. During this period, the IRS became suspicious about tax avoidance efforts within the church, eventually determining that Hensley, the Modesto ULC, and numerous affiliated churches chartered under its name were promoting tax avoidance schemes within church periodicals. As a result, the IRS withdrew ULC Modesto’s tax-exempt status in 1984. Over the next 16 years, Hensley and his family battled the IRS in court over disputed tax payments. The matter was eventually settled in 2000 when the Modesto group agreed to pay $1.5 million in back taxes.
Following Kirby Hensley’s death in 1999, an organizational split led to the creation of the ULC Monastery , which remains unaffiliated with the Modesto group. The ULCM formally split from the ULC in 2006 following financial, legal, and philosophical disputes between the two bodies and began ordaining ministers independently.
History Of The Universal Life Church
The Universal Life Church is a modern, non-denominational church started by Kirby J. Hensley. This new approach to religion, first known as the “Life Church”, began in 1959 in Modesto, California and has since come to be practiced by ministers from around the world.
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The Universal Life Church Of Today
Today, the beliefs espoused by the Universal Life Church has reached millions worldwide. The ULC is quite famous for the fact that anyone can become a pastor through its online ordination process. No special requirements must be met or funds paid in order to use Get Ordained services at the ULC. Once you have become a pastor, you are free to perform baptismal and wedding ceremonies.
Contact Marriage License Authority
Once you are ordained, but before performing the ceremony, you may need to obtain documentation proving you are a licensed marriage officiant. These policies vary by state, and sometimes even from county to county. For more information about the rules in your area, visit ourState Wedding Laws page.
Most places will request some basic documentation such as an ordination credential, a letter of good standing, or signed statements of ministry. You can find all of these items, along with a host of other minister supplies, in the Minister Store section of this site.
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What The Universal Life Church Represents
The Universal Life Church represents a message of utmost devotion to the concept of religious freedom. It is a message echoed in the Constitution of the United States of America, that we all have the First Amendment right to exercise religion as we see fit. The Church espouses religious freedom by making no attempt to regulate or interfere with the messages preached by its pastors and shows respect for the rights of others, such that no one should be infringed by its members’ practice of religion. When you use the Get Ordained services through the Universal Life Church, you are treated as someone who is free to preside over your own interpretation of religion.
About Universal Life Church International Headquarters
- The Universal Life Church has no traditional doctrine. We as an organization believe in that which is right. Each individual has the privilege and responsibility to determine what is right for themselves, as long as it does not infringe on the rights of others. We do not stand between you and your God. We are active advocates of the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America.WE ARE ADVOCATES OF THE GOOD LIFE! We want to be competent, to be proficient, to be cooperative, to love our fellow man, to appreciate, to be humble, to be honest, to be moral, to live positively, to be what we profess.
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Welcome To The Official Website For Universal Life Church Internationalheadquarters
The Universal Life Church has no traditional doctrine. We as an organization believe in that which is right. Each individual has the privilege and responsibility to determine what is right for themselves, as long as it does not infringe on the rights of others. We do not stand between you and your God. We are active advocates of the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America.
WE ARE ADVOCATES OF THE GOOD LIFE! We want to be competent, to be proficient, to be cooperative, to love our fellow man, to appreciate, to be humble, to be honest, to be moral, to live positively, to be what we profess.
Things A Minister Should Know
Therefore, we give you a Ministers Credential, making you an ordained minister of the state and government. This gives you all the rights of the Federal Governments and the States. There are many ceremonies that take place in churches. But, that is all they are, is ceremonies. They have no authority or power with the federal government or the state.
If you have been ordained by the Universal Life Church and have the Ministers Credentials with the state seal and the President’s signature on it, then as far as you and the state is concerned, you are a legal ordained minister.
The minister is by definition a servant. The minister exists to serve himself, his congregation, the church, and his God. He is an agent administrating the duties and functions of his church.
The minister should be compassionate, loving, and trustworthy. The responsibility of church administration rests on his shoulders. The minister must be able to weep with those that weep and rejoice with those rejoicing. He should strive to be an able leader, to promote spiritual growth and happiness within the congregation.
Every minister needs to have some knowledge of the legal rules and principles concerning the relationship of church and state in the United States. This understanding and application of the rules and principles will greatly help to serve, with commendable distinction, the parishioners and community.
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Order Findings Of Fact
BATTIN, District Judge.
1. This is a civil action for the refund of $10,377.20 in income taxes for the fiscal year ended April 30, 1969. This Court has jurisdiction pursuant to Sections 1346 and 1346 of Title 28 United States Code and Section 7422 of Title 26 U.S.C.
2. The defendant, by a counterclaim, seeks recovery of $721.87 in income tax together with $507.77 in assessed interest or a balance of $1,229.64 together with interest thereon.
3. This matter came on for hearing on September 17, 1973. Peter R. Stromer appeared for the plaintiff and Harold S. Larsen appeared for defendant. Both parties waived jury trial, and, following a partial stipulation of facts, the matter was taken under advisement.
4. At pretrial, defendant conceded that plaintiff is organized and duly incorporated as a non-profit corporation pursuant to California law. Defendant further conceded that plaintiff’s activities may be admittedly religious in nature but defendant contended said activities are not religious per se within the scope of Internal Revenue Code Section 501.
5. Plaintiff’s Articles of Incorporation read, in pertinent part:
6. In its Memorandum in Support of its Requested Jury Instructions, defendant cited but two issues which it claimed as the basis for denial of plaintiff’s tax-exempt status:
Whether the issuance of Honorary Doctor of Divinity titles by plaintiff is an activity which is either illegal or in violation of public policy under the California Education Code Section 29007.
Welcome To Universal Life Church Online
Become a Legally Ordained Minister – Get Ordained for Free – Join the ULC Community
The Universal Life Church offers legal ordinations to become a minister, free of charge. As an ordained minister of the Universal Life Church, you can officiate weddings, funerals, baptisms and perform other functions of the clergy.
Since 1959, the official Universal Life Church Headquarters has been based in Modesto, California, with congregations around the world. Our common thread is our adherence to the universal doctrine of religious freedom: Do only that which is right.
We are a church for anyone. ULC ministers come from all walks of life and spiritual traditions. It doesnt matter where you are from or where you have been there is something for everyone at ULC. We invite you to become an ordained minister of our church, and to join our online communities.
Celebrate truth, wisdom and religious liberty with us as part of the original and genuine Universal Life Church family.
Senior Pastor Kevin AndrewsSenior Chaplain Violet A. Lucas
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