UBU MINISTRIES

Now and then I think it is good to review what is and is not the proper role of government and how the social necessity of government works within our ethical/moral system of belief. There is right now great interest in what role government will take, so I propose this is one of those times for a good review. This short address I consider the absolute best review of the topic. It was a 5 minute speech by Ezra Benson, Secretary of Agriculture under President Eisenhower and later President of the LDS Church. Short but succinct. I expect anyone should be able to take a few minutes to read it. Today, I am linking to the post on my personal blog, but in future will likely make this into a page here on UBU. Also, my health has improved quite a bit as has my ability to utilize the Android platform - so I expect that the many articles I have intended for UBU Ministries will shortly begin to appear here. We are not currently offering tattoo or piercing services, but I am able to ag...

In this historic speech, Rev. King relates our responsibility to support and aid our fellows to the story of  The Good Samaritan - the Golden Rule. Please, when reading this consider that his references to the suffering, needs, responsibility and power of the negro community apply equally to all the downtrodden in our society regardless of ethnicity. Strong individuals and communities will be committed to the principles outlined in this simple yet direct and powerful story. This, of course, is one of the most mysterious and powerful scriptures in existence.  It encapsulates the entire teachings of  Jesus into one memorable concept.  This appears for Jesus, to be his most basic and critical teaching and purpose - which of course, he also recommends to me and you. Luke 10:25-37    (KJV) 25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 26 He said unto him, What is written in the...

by Rev. Gregory "Doc" Lowrey It may seem odd that many times the biggest issues for churches seem to be with government. In the United States the two are supposed to be separated. One cannot attempt to exercise control over the other as that would essentially establish a government religion. Both are free to address and attempt to persuade the other, but may not go further. There is a distinction for what seem the majority of churches in the United States that must be noted and that is churches that have bought official government recognition of their (exempt from govt. involvement) status. When churches do apply for and purchase what is called 501.c.3 status, which is the title in the IRS code that addresses tax exempt organizations; as a condition of that recognition (that the IRS declares they do not even need as their exempt status is declared in the Bill of Rights and is a status that is not claimed to be "granted" by govt. , only "officially r...

by Rev. Doc Lowrey My daughter Jamie sent this post out on Facebook today. I was very impressed with it and wanted to share it's sage counsel. Written by Regina Brett, of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio . "To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 42 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more: 1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good. 2. When in doubt, just take the next small step. 3. Life is too short – enjoy it.. 4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will. 5. Pay off your credit cards every month. 6. You don't have to win every argument. Stay true to yourself. 7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone. 8. Save for retirement starting with your first pay check. 9. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile. 10. Make peace with your past so it won't s...

From the Gospel of Thomas: Saying 3  Jesus said,  "If your leaders say to you, 'Look, the (Father's) kingdom is in the sky,' then the birds of the sky will precede you. If they say to you, 'It is in the sea,' then the fish will precede you. Rather, the kingdom is within you and it is outside you. When you know yourselves, then you will be known, and you will understand that you are children of the living Father. But if you do not know yourselves, then you live in poverty, and you are the poverty." There is a second concept I would like to express today.  It comes with a nice picture of Buddha, though I don't know who the actual author is.  

NOTICE: To help facilitate better understanding and communication of our message, the Board of Trustees has elected to form the Church of Universal Truth. Although UBU Ministries is organized as a church, the name has caused some confusion with the public. UBU Ministries will continue to be an official arm of the church and at present no formal distinction will be made between the two. Henceforth UBU Ministries will operate under the direction, subscribe to the rules, beliefs, practices and conventions of Church of Universal Truth and the two will eventually operate as distinct functional divisions of the same body and  Parent Organization, Church of Universal Truth. Membership, general meetings and most services are transferred to the new Parent organization. Further functional distinctions are planned by the Board to further define specific services offered by the Church and the Ministry.. Such distinctions of function will be published in the official Church Operat...

From Science and Religion Today http://www.scienceandreligiontoday.com/2012/05/30/is-atheism-increasing-at-the-expense-of-theism/ Is Atheism Increasing at the Expense of Theism? From Gregory Paul , an independent paleontologist and researcher who examines the relationship between religion and society: In recent years, there has been lots of discussion and debate about whether atheism or theism is on the rise around the world . A good deal of the answer can be found in results from the International Social Survey Program. In its Religion II survey conducted in 1998 and Religion III survey sampled in 2008 and just released (why the ISSP is so tardy in releasing its results is obscure), the ISSP asked the same set of questions in 28 countries, allowing assessment of gross longitudinal trends over a decade (because their Religion 1 poll in 1991 asked different questions in far fewer countries, it is not very longitudinally useful). % Don’t believe in God % Theists ov...

by Rev. Gregory "Doc" Lowrey Happy Sunday. Today I gave in (got sucked in) to a discussion presented on Linked-In titled: Where Is God? Where Is He Not...?  Many views were presented and it was obvious that the participants had all spent a lot of energy and concern with this issue of "understanding" God and determining if we are collectively God or individuals with our own thoughts and powers of self-determination. If you would like to consider the conversation you can find it here: http://www.linkedin.com/groupItem?view=&gid=1437977&type=member&item=115060458&report.success=Tj8fJnK62GOU9jIFdRRZ-uJ21Ua1K69XF6XJ24FUowP1Q6iOAj_JytVeP7141jKoFHbECgNULh4dKgM5922xwphYoiFzZgLoXzigjsFUqQP1Q3npf6B26XPRL7AdKgLX4C92j0PRoWkFbdGXFjkETtPa1WcFKTnOlHbNjC1aqaRlQ6XflzweyASC1h0qQl5flADNabsU-pc (you may have to join the group to read this.  I really know little about Linked-In and rarely participate) My personal contribution to the discussion was this: It se...

by Rev. Gregory "Doc" Lowrey This morning on Meet the Press, the topic of Same-Sex Marriage was discussed. Here is a short report on what was said.  By Ryan Teague Beckwith  May 6, 2012 Vice President Joe Biden became the highest-ranking U.S. official to endorse same-sex marriage this morning. In a wide-ranging interview on “Meet the Press,” Biden said he has no problem with gays and lesbians having marriage rights. “The president sets the policy. I am absolutely comfortable with the fact that men marrying men, women marrying women and heterosexual men and women marrying one another are entitled to the same exact rights, all the civil rights, all the civil liberties,” Biden said, according to Reuters . Biden did not say whether the White House would take concrete steps to help legalize gay marriage if President Obama wins a second term. Obama has said his views on same-sex marriage are “evolving” and that it is a matter best l...