The Universal Temple

Definition: A person whom one knows, likes, and trusts. A friend is one who supports and sympathizes with you.

Position: We teach that all of us choose our friends based not just upon our past life experiences but also upon our current needs and desires. Just as we have chosen to become members of the Universal Faith, we have also become a part of the same Universal Family. As you chose Universalism, you also choose to become a Universal brother or sister.

As Universalists we love, support and protect the Universal, it is our choice to do so, just as it is our choice to extend that love, support, and protection to each other.

We teach that the strongest bond we have is the love and respect for our Creators. Those who we choose to surround ourselves with reinforce this love and respect. Therefore, we need to choose our friends carefully as they can influence our personal relationships not only with others but also with our Creators. In light of this, we must examine whom we are friends with, we are not saying that you cannot have friends who are not Universalists just that you need to see them with Universal eyes.

As the Prophet Buddha said, “The friend who should be reckoned as good hearted are four: The helper, the friend who is constant in happiness and adversity, the friend of good counsel, the sympathetic friend.

“The friend who is a helper is to be reckoned as good hearted on four grounds: he protects you when you are taken unaware, he protects your property when you are not there to protect it, he is a refuge to you when you are afraid, when you have tasks to perform he provides twice as much help as you may need.

“The friend who content in happiness and adversity is to be reckoned as good hearted on four grounds, he tells you his secrets, he does not betray your secrets, in your troubles he does not forsake you, for your sake he will even lay down his life.

“The friend of good counsel is good hearted on four grounds, he restrains you from doing wrong, he enjoins you to right, from him you learn what you had not learnt before, and he shows you the way to heaven.

“The friend who is sympathetic is to be reckoned as good hearted on four grounds, he does not rejoice over your misfortunes, he rejoices with you in your prosperity, he restrains those who speak ill of you, he commends those who speak well of you.”

Definition: The ability of a person to make their own choices and decisions without any influences from outside sources.

Position: Universalism teaches that those who use their free will responsibly see not only the choices but also the consequences of those choices.

Free will is a gift given unto us by God and Goddess. Our Heavenly Father and Mother respect us enough to not offer undue influence upon us or pressure us to choose them, they have given us their word as found within the Universal Scriptures and we can freely walk upon their Universal Path, if we live as they have asked. It is up to each of us to choose how we use the gift of free will, how we live our lives, if we choose good or evil, right or wrong, it is our choice.

We should all realize that with such a great gift come even greater responsibilities. Because in the end we are held accountable for all our choices, not just in this life, but also in all the other lives we have lived. How will you respond when at the time of your judgment, you are standing before our Heavenly Father and Mother and they want to know why you should not be held accountable for how you have lived your lives.

Definition: Sexual intercourse between persons who are not joined by Temple acknowledgement.

Position: We acknowledge and recognize that sexual intercourse between persons who are not joined by the Temple does happen, however the Temple does not encourage or condone such sexual activity.

Universalism teaches that our sexuality is to be explored and expanded so that one may truly know one’s sexual desires. The Temple encourages our sexual exploration, however only with our acknowledged partner. Universalism does not teach that fornication is a sin, in fact, our sexual desires are gifts given unto us by God and Goddess, we are to treasure and explore these desires with those who are a part of our lives, not a part of our day. This is especially important during our teenage and college years when sexual exploration is usually at its highest and least inhibited. You need to be aware of the consequences of sexual activity such as pregnancy, disease, and potential emotional hardships. This is why all Universalists are taught to follow the Universal Sexual Creed: “Safe, Sane, and Consensual Sexual Activity.”

Definition: An act or period of abstention from food, and in some instances a person may abstain from sleep, sexual activity, television or anything that a person may feel they are doing too much of.

Position: Universalism teaches that the act of fasting is not just a basic tenet of our worship; it is prescribed for us all in the Universal Scriptures.

The Temple recognizes that there are many religious belief systems where the act of fasting is either unpracticed or is a modified form of fasting.

We acknowledge the teaching as set down in the holy books. As said by the Prophet Jesus in the Holy Bibles book of Matthew 6:17, “But when thou fastest…” the Prophet does not say if, he emphasized when you fast. In addition, additionally the Prophet Muhammed said in the Quran, Surah 2:183, “O you who believe! Observing fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become pious,” the Prophet does not say it is recommended, no, it is prescribed.

After studying the holy works, we have declared that the first Sunday of each month is a remembrance fast; on this day, all Universalists are to offer their meditative prayers of remembrance to those who are doing without. On this day all Universalist are to abstain from food from sun up till sun down, they are also to take the funds that they would have spent on food and tithe the funds to the Universal Temple in order to create and maintain a Universal Community Food Bank so that we may help our fellow Universalists who are in need.

Now fasting is not prescribed for any person medically unable to follow the monthly practice of fasting or is under the age of maturity.

Definition: Commonly seen as group of individuals related by blood, an emotion bond, or brought together for mutual benefit and support.

Position: Universalism recognizes the importance of the family, as well as each individual member of the family. We all have a need to be a part of a family, either a birth family or a chosen family because it is the family, which helps support us both physically and emotionally.

We teach that all members are a family and that as a Universalist you are seen as a child in the Universal family. We recognize that the future of our planet will one day rest in the hands of our children and how well equipped they are to lead our society forward is up to each and every recognized Universal brother and sister.

We see that Universal children are not beset with the problems that have always troubled young people, such as nightmares, squabbles with friends, difficulties with their studies; however, they also face a completely new host of ills, a consequence of our ailing society. Drugs, physical and sexual abuse steal the happiness of our children at an increasingly young age, while gang violence and rampant criminality endangers their lives.

Definition: Individuals proclaiming messages that they attribute to a superhuman source but that do not originate with God and Goddess and are not in harmony with their revealed words.

Position: Universalism teaches that there has been and will be false prophets. So how can you tell a true prophet from a false one? A true prophet makes known their faith in God and Goddess, however more is required them claiming to work in their names as is seen in the Holy Bibles book of 1st John 4:1, “…test the inspired expressions to see whether they originate with God, because many false prophets have gone forth into the world.”

The Prophet Jesus warned us in the Holy Bible’s book of Matthew 24:24, “False messengers and false prophets will arise and will give great signs and wonders so as to mislead, if possible, even the chosen ones.”

We teach that one of the false prophets was the false apostle Paul who was able to lead people way from God and Goddess. If you read the works of Paul and compare them to the words, works and life of the Prophet Jesus you will see that Paul was a false apostle.

The Prophet Jesus taught us in Matthew 7:15-20, “Be on the watch for the false prophets that come to you in sheep’s covering, but inside they are ravenous wolves. By their fruits you will recognize them…Every good tree produces fine fruits, but every rotten tree produces worthless fruit…Really, then, by their fruits you will recognize those men.”

Definition: The secure belief in God and Goddess and the acceptance of their wills.

Position: We teach that faith is so much more than just the belief that God and Goddess exist it is knowing in your heart that they exist. It is this kind of faith that is found in the words of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “Take the first step in faith, you don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.

How can we attain such faith in the existence of God and Goddess? The Prophet Muhammed showed us in the Quran, Surah 51:20, “On earth are signs for those who have faith,” this means that the proof of God and Goddess is all around us, and it is visible to those who care to see.

Universalism places a great emphasis upon faith. Faith brings us to know God and Goddess, for without faith our lives have would be meaningless, as the Prophet Krishna said in the Bhagavad Gita, Sura 2:3, “Those who are not faithful in the devotional service cannot attain me.” Thus, everything we do is of no consequences as the Prophet Krishna also said in 17:28 “Anything done as sacrifice, charity, or penance without faith in the Supreme is impermanent. It is useless both in this life and the next.” In the Holy Bibles book of James chapter 2, it says, “But wilt those know, ‘O vain man that faith without works is dead.” The Messenger Baha’u’llah enforced this in Spiritual Reality 7:7, “The essence of faith is fewness of words and abundance of deeds, he whose words exceeds his deeds, know verily his death is better than his life.”

Definition: A ceremonial act designed to expel a spirit follower of the archangel Lucifer.

Position: Universalism openly acknowledges the existence of spirits and spiritual beings in our world. Not all spirits or spiritual beings are considered good or evil. Some are spirits of those who have passed away, yet their spirits have remained. They are commonly referred to as ghosts of poltergeists. There are also others that are sent unto us by our Creators to help guide us in our daily works on their behalf. Still others are sent by the archangel Lucifer to test us and lead us away from following the Creators. It is for these reasons that we have ordained the use of the rite of exorcism.

Every Temple is following the teaching as set down by the Prophet Jesus and in the Universal Scriptures, which confirms the validity of exorcism. We have seen the spiritual and physical benefits of an exorcism such as the ending of many harmful addictions, alcoholism, drug addiction and gambling. Exorcism has in the past been used to end some physical disabilities caused by possession.

There are just some of the reasons why all Universal clergy are instructed on the various exorcism rituals, as well as the pros and cons involved with performing an exorcism. This is why an untrained person should never attempt an exorcism as only a properly trained individual can decide upon the course of action required to free a person from the grips of possession.

Definition: To deprive a person of Temple membership and Universal fellowship.

Position: Universalism acknowledges and practices the act of excommunication as a final form of punishment. Before excommunication is taken up by the Temple Tribunal it must be shown that the individual has received repeated counseling for their behavior and that their continued presence within the Temple is a detriment to their fellow Universalists and that their acts go beyond the boundaries of the Temples abilities to condone.

No, we do not, nor does anyone have the authority or power to condemn a person to the seven layers of hell, but we believe that the Temple does have the authority and power to remove a person from the rolls of the Universal Temple. Such a person is considered an aggressive non-believer to all Universalists and a person to be avoided. This expectation goes beyond the act of shunning, this person is considered a willing follower of the archangel Lucifer and an obstacle to their fellow Universalists growth and faith.

There are no set criteria for excommunication each case is reviewed by the Temple Tribunal on a case-by-case basis. There are of course exceptions. The murder of a member of the clergy or the murder of a fellow believer without just cause, are all reasons for immediate excommunication.

Definition: Something that causes harm, misfortune, suffering, or destruction. An act or action that goes against the teachings of God and Goddess.

Position: We recognizes that evil has been with the human race since the day that Eve, Lilith and Adam ate of the “the tree of knowledge of good and evil,” as can be seen in the Universal Scriptures book of Creation chapter 2.

We acknowledge that we will have evil around us until the day of our personal judgment as can be seen in the Quran, Surah 3:30 “…the day when every person will be confronted with all the good he has done, and all the evil he has done. He will wish that there were a great distance between him and his evil.”

Until that day comes we will have evil around us, as we are shown in the Holy Bibles book of Matthew 5:45, “…for he makes his son to rise on the evil and good, and sends rain on the just and unjust.” So why did our Creators surround us with so much evil? It was done so that we could learn. It says in the Universal Scriptures book of Praise chapter 34, “Depart from evil and do good,” also in the Quran, Surah 23:96 “Repel evil with that which is better.” The Creators wish to give us the option to do good or evil, and being the loving Father and Mother they are, they have given us a way to balance the scales of justice, come our day of judgment.

Definition: The sharing of the Creators Universal Scriptures with all.

Position: In the past few years, we have begun to increase its works among non-Universalist and we must pay special attention to sensitivity in quoting the Universal Scriptures, as non-,Universalist do not have our knowledge or understanding. It takes time to learn how to appropriately present the Universal Scriptures to a given group of people.

Universalism and Universalists have a great deal to offer to non-Universalists, but first, we must understand those we wish to minister to, as well as the obstacles and the objections to the Universal Scriptures that we are bound to encounter.

The Universal worldwide view is very different from that of non-Universal religions, this unique worldview results in two basic problems for Universal witnesses.

First, many other religions such as Islam and Christianity hold differing concepts conveyed by their religious terminology. Concepts such as Messiah, Trinity, Faith, and Sin and of course our Creators all hold vastly different meanings to non-Universalists. Therefore, you must understand these differing concepts conveyed by common vocabulary if you wish to effectively communicate the Universal Scriptures.

Universalists who are engaging in evangelism will want to build upon a solid foundation of friendship, love, and prayer. Thereby forming a mutual basis for communication. There is also for many of the other religions a strong theological foundation, which helps to include the general concept of angels and life after death. Building upon these concepts as a foundation, Universalists will want to focus on the Universal Truths.

Second in addition to the theological considerations, you will always want to be aware of any cultural barriers that can often keep others from even hearing the Universal Scriptures. These barriers can include such things as eating pork, drinking alcohol, the duality of the Creators, and even sexual prohibitions. Evangelists will also want to avoid taking sides or expressing personal political views so that you can minister in an unbiased fashion.

Some additional considerations are insensitive religious teachings and resisting the temptation to degrade or criticize other religious beliefs. As their eyes are opened and their ears heat they will discover the truth.

Society has always said

that it is wrong to express or explore

your sexual fantasies, and desires.

I say as long as you follow

the philosophy of

safe, sane and consensual

then embrace your sexual fantasies, and explore your desires.

Discover what makes you happy,

and be happy.

Richard Bradshaw

In the beginning, there was nothing but God and Goddess and they were as one. Until the moment, they separated and became as two.

Upon their separation, a great star appeared in the nothing. Then God and Goddess spoke the sacred words of creation, and the great star expanded.

To become the ever-growing galaxies, and our earth, all this and more did they create.

These were the first acts of creation.

Now the earth was without form and darkness was upon the face of the deep, and God said, “Let there be light,” and the sun was made to shine, and God saw that the light was good. God then divided the light from the darkness, and it was so. Goddess called the light “day,” and said, “Let the sun rule over the day.”

Goddess then made the moon and said, “Let the darkness be called night, and let the moon rule over the night. Let all the sun’s in the night sky burn bright, and let us separate the day and the night. Let them be signs to show the days, seasons and years,” and it was so.

Goddess set the sun in the sky to give light upon the earth.

The sun was set to rule over the day, and the moon over the night, dividing the light from the darkness and they saw that it was good.

These were the second acts of creation.

Goddess said, “Let there be space between the waters to separate waters from waters,” and it was so.

Goddess created this space to separate the waters above from the waters below. Goddess called this space “sky,” saying, ‘Let the waters under the sky be gathered together, and let the dry ground appear,” and it was so.

Goddess called the dry ground, “land,” and God called the gathering together of the waters, “seas,” and they saw that it was good.

Definition: A sexual desire to have relationship with a person who is younger than yourself, but who has reached the age of maturity.

 Position: We would like to strongly stress that ephebophilia should in no way be confused with hebephilia or pedophilia, which we condemn as immoral sinful acts and rightfully illegal.

               We are aware that there are religious organizations that teach that ephebophilia is a sinful sexual preference and desire, as well as an immoral lifestyle. However, we do not see ephebophilia as a sexual sin or an immoral lifestyle, but as a personal expression of a person’s love and free will, which should be encouraged not suppressed.

               Universalism recognizes and openly accepts ephebophilia relationships as long as the younger partner is of the age of maturity. We do not consider a person who has not yet reached the age of maturity to have full understanding or able to give consent and of being able to have a consensual relationship with another person who is over the age of maturity. The Temple does stress that all do need to obey the laws of your location in this regard, until the law can be challenged and changed.

Definition: Any occupation in which one receives compensation for one’s work.

 Position: We teach that no matter what a person does for a living that they are to always do their best. As the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “If a person sweeps streets for a living he should sweep them as Michelangelo painted, as Beethoven composed, as Shakespeare wrote.”

               Universalism teaches that as a person works, they are working for the Creators, because as a Universalist you are seen as an ambassador to the world. As Thoams a’Kempir wrote; “On the day of judgment we shall not be asked what we have read, but what we have done.”

               Mahatma Gandhi taught us, “What you do may not seem important, but it is very important that you do it.” His words contain a great many meanings. Remember, you are an ambassador of the Universal faith, and all your actions reflect upon not only the faithful, but upon God and Goddess. You must ask yourself, am I doing my best to serve them every day?

               We teach that the same work ethics are to be applied to all aspects of our lives, when you do something, always do your best, do it for yourself and in honor of God and Goddess.