That's right. I have become an ordained priest in The Church of the Latter Day Dude, otherwise known as Dudeism.
The reason why I am accepting a new religion is simple: I want to pay it forward.
Four years ago, our friend Lindsay officiated our wedding ceremony. It was a simple service. Just Jessi, myself, Lindsay and two witnesses to sign the marriage certificate. We got married in the kitchen of our three bedroom apartment, followed immediately by a "reception" with chocolate chip ice cream and sparkling cider. Lindsay became ordained through the Universal Life Church, an online church that allows you to become ordained, immediately, free of charge. As a minister in the church, she has legally recognized authority to perform marriages in all 50 states in the U.S., and many countries abroad. We didn't necessarily have the "wedding of our dreams", but, looking back, we wouldn't have had it any other way.
If the circumstances should present themselves, I also wanted to be in a position to officiate a wedding or civil service, especially if it could help someone in my local LGBT community. However, considering my previous "issues" with religion, I didn't want to become ordained in a church that had a Judeo-Christian philosophy. I am atheist, after all.
Dudeism was right for me.
Before you ask...Yes, it is a legitimate church. And it has it's own philosophy. Dudeism is very similar to Taoism and Zen Buddhism. It's tenets are simple: "Live and let live." Life is short and complicated and nobody knows what to do about it. So don’t do anything about it. Just take it easy, man.
I can abide.
And, as a Dudeist, I don't have to know what in God's name other religions are blathering about. It appears to be a perfect fit.
In case you were wondering, I am serious about this. My certificate of ordination will arrive in the mail, hand signed, in approximately two weeks. I want to be able to help someone in the way that Jessi and I were helped four years ago.
So....who wants to be my first marriage?
2 comments:
Congratulations!
I'm an ordained minister too, but of the Church of the Great Outdoors. I've performed the marriages of both my sister and my brother. It's a hoot.
One of my significant others is also an ordained Dudist! He loves it! You do know that when you officiate you have to be paid in White Russians, right?
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