| Karma can be expiated through good works, the rendering of service to life to make up for past wrongs. A major tool in the balancing of karmic debts is the use of what the Church calls the "science of the spoken Word." This science combines prayer, meditation, and visualization with what are called "dynamic decrees. " These are affirmations using the name of God "I AM THAT I AM," to call to God to direct His light into the solving of both personal and planetary problems. Examples of specific problems for which Church members decree are: crime, pollution, drugs, official corruption, child abuse, abortion, the economy, AIDS, and the threat of war and cataclysmic earth changes. The Church publishes a very wide range of religious literature, but a list of its most revered works includes Climb the Highest Mountain, The Lost Years of Jesus, The Lost Teachings of Jesus, Volumes I through 4, in addition to the Holy Bible. PRACTICES AND BEHAVIORAL STANDARDS: Church members observe the Sabbath, which is a period of time from dusk on Saturday until dusk on Sunday. This period is generally set aside on a weekly basis for the giving of religious services, although there is no specific policy regarding avoidance of work. A member in good standing of the Church participates in three formal services weekly: a Wednesday evening service, a Saturday evening service, and a Sunday service some time during the day. Members in good standing also give a daily ritual of prayers, invocations and dynamic decrees, alone if necessary or with a Church group when possible. The Church conducts quarterly conferences to which all members are invited. These quarterly conferences occur on the New Year, during Easter time, over the Fourth of July, and in October at the time of Columbus Day. These conferences last anywhere from five days to a period of two weeks. Members worldwide are encouraged to attend at least one of these events annually. The Church also conducts weekend seminars throughout the year. The following are Church holy days during the year at which special services are given and in which members are encouraged to participate. January 1 -- New Year's Day February 26 -- Ascension of the Church's founder, Mark L. Prophet The Holy Week of Easter, particularly Easter Sunday April or May -- Ascension day of Jesus the Christ (approximately 40 days after Easter on a Thursday) May -- Wesak Day Honoring Lord Buddha July 4th -- Independence Day (1776) August 15 -- The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary November 1 -- All Saint's Day 4th Thursday in November -- Thanksgiving December 24 -- Christmas Eve December 25 -- Christmas Day ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE: The Church is a non profit, tax exempt religious corporation functioning under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Its administrative affairs are operated by a Board of Directors appointed under the organization's legal charter and bylaws. Church sacraments are administered by ordained and lay ministers, and religious services are conducted by both ministers and missionaries. ROLE OF MINISTERS: The Church has ordained as well as lay ministers, and an active missionary program. Ordained ministers are authorized to administer the sacraments of the Church; lay ministers are considered ordained ministers in training and administer some sacraments and conduct the rituals and services of the Church; missionaries of the Church conduct outreach programs in the United States and in various countries around the world. WORSHIP: Active members are involved in daily worship services, also known as decree or prayer sessions. These involve the giving of prayers, decrees and songs for resolving of personal problems and national and world conditions. Formal worship services are conducted, as mentioned previously, on Wednesday evenings, Saturdays and Sundays. Each of these services has a special purpose and meaning. The Wednesday evening service is dedicated to both personal healing of the individual, loved ones, family members, friends or anyone requesting and requiring physical or other healing, such as the healing of mental or emotional problems. The Saturday evening service is dedicated to freedom and involves the giving of decrees and prayers for the preservation of individual freedom and liberty and for the solving of problems in society such as drug abuse, organized crime, etc., as well as the overcoming of world communism and tyranny. The Sunday service includes the giving of the Sacred Ritual for Keepers of the Flame, and is dedicated to the expansion of illumination and understanding among all peoples. The most common "equipment" used in worship is what is known as the "decree" (prayer) book and the song book. Also recommended is an altar, consisting of the chart of the "I AM Presence" (the Divine Self of man), images of Jesus Christ and Saint Germain, a crystal chalice, and candles and other sacred articles if desired. A member usually spends from 15 minutes up to two hours or more in devotion on a daily basis. DIETARY LAWS OR RESTRICTIONS: There are no absolute dietary requirements for formal membership in the Church other than abstention from addictive substances, such as recreational drugs, alcohol, and nicotine. There are many recommendations as far as diet and health are concerned. The Church recommends a diet high in vegetable proteins, avoidance of dairy foods, and the use of predominantly cooked grains and vegetables in one's diet. It is recommended that flesh foods be consumed in moderation, and that pork be avoided entirely. The optimal diet is considered to be a variation of the "macrobiotic" diet as taught by Herman Aihara and Michio Kushi. It is largely based on grains, beans, and vegetables, and includes specially prepared vegetable proteins such as tempeh, miso, seitan, and tofu. FUNERAL AND BURIAL REQUIREMENTS: The Church's burial practices are that the body be placed in refrigeration, or put on ice, for seventy two (720 hours after death. The body should not be embalmed or otherwise tampered with, and no substance of any nature whatsoever should be injected into it or drawn from it, and no autopsy of any nature should be conducted, except under circumstances where an autopsy is required by law or for other reasons deemed sufficient by the Church. After the seventy two hour period has passed, the body should be cremated. A memorial service is held by a minister or a designated representative of the Church. MEDICAL TREATMENT: The Church recommends the use of all standard modern medical practices for the saving and preserving of life. Also, the Church strongly advocates good health practices for the purification and strengthening of the physical body for the purpose of attaining optimum health. In this regard, Church members abstain from alcoholic beverages as well as all recreational drugs including nicotine. Stimulants such as caffeine are strongly discouraged. OTHER: The Church teaches that pacifism is the moral equivalent of surrender. It is believed that pacifism in the face of an immoral aggressor is the surest way to bring about war and ruination at the hands of that aggressor. The Church also believes that life is ultimately sacred, and that war should only be undertaken as a last resort to prevent the greater evil of tyranny and oppression. Each individual has the God given responsibility to defend not only his own life but all innocent life under any such circumstances. The Church upholds all constitutional rights, including the Second Amendment right of all Americans to keep and bear arms. The Church has an active outreach ministry program nationwide and around the world. This outreach operates under the auspices of the Church's local congregations, and consists chiefly of the conduct of religious services and the offering of special events such as weekend seminars, public lecture series, etc. The Church does not engage in proselytizing, but rather reaches prospective members through the publication of its teachings in books, periodicals and audio and video tapes which are distributed in book stores, and are widely aired on television and radio. GENERAL SOURCE BOOKS: Recommended book length works to give an overview of the Church and its teachings would include: Elizabeth Clare Prophet. The Astrology of the Four Horsemen: How You Call Heal Yourself and Planet Earth. Livingston, MT: Summit Univ. Press, 1991. 619pp. The Lost Years of Jesus. Malibu, CA: Summit Univ. Press, 1984. 401pp. Saint Germain On Prophecy. Livingston, MT: Summit Univ. Press, 1986. 608pp. Prophet, Mark [Saint Germain]. Studies in Alchemy: The Science of Self Transformation. Los Angeles: Summit Univ. Press, 1962. 91pp. Mark Prophet and Elizabeth Clare Prophet. Climb the Highest Mountain Colorado Springs, CO: Summit Lighthouse, 1972. 516pp. [Jesus and Kuthumi]. Corona Class Lessons ... for those who Would Teach Men the Way. Livingston, MT: Summit Unwiv Press, 1986). 455pp. Lords of the Seven Rays. Livingston, MT: Summit Unwiv Press, 986. 608pp. The Lost Teachings of Jesus. Livingston, MT: Summit Univ. Press, 1986. 4 Vols. The Science of the Spoken Word. (Colorado Springs, CO: Summit Lighthouse, 1965. 82pp. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Erin Prophet Reed Church Universal and Triumphant Box A Corwin Springs, Montana 59021 (406) 848-7441 |
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| Black Rose Spiritual Center, Inc : Belief Systems |
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| Church Universal and Triumphant |
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| ADDRESS: Box A, Yellowstone Trail #775 Gardiner, MT 59030 OTHER NAMES BY WHICH KNOWN: The Summit Lighthouse, Summit University, Summit University Press. LEADERSHIP: Elizabeth Clare Prophet, Vicar of Christ of Church Universal and Triumphant. MEMBERSHIP: In terms of the number of individual Church members, the Church considers that information confidential and does not release it. In terms of the number of congregations, inside the United States there are approximately ninety (90) formal Church congregations, and there are congregations in approximately twenty five (25) other nations, including most prominently Canada, Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Nigeria, Ghana, Australia, Holland, Sweden, Spain and Portugal. HISTORICAL ORIGIN: The Church was formally established by Mark L. Prophet, the late husband of Elizabeth Clare Prophet, in Washington, D.C., in August of 1958. BASIC BELIEFS: The basic beliefs of the group are as follows: that each man and each woman has the spark of Life which is God resident within his or her heart. That spark represents the potential of the Christ. Just as Jesus, our Lord and Saviour, became the Christ, which is that Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world, so each of us as God's children, through a path of spiritual discipline and service to life, in emulation of Jesus and his great life and service, may come to share in his Christhood as sons and daughters of God, and return to God and the heaven world in the ritual known as the ascension. Man is the product of his karma -- the effects, both good and bad, of causes set in motion in this and previous lifetimes -- hence re embodiment is a central belief of the Church. Believing in Saint Paul's admonition that "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap," the Church considers that it is each man's obligation to balance his debts to life (karma) and fulfill his "divine plan." The divine plan is unique to each soul, and it is what God has ordained that the soul accomplish prior to the ascension. |
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