Ordination FAQ

• I am having trouble logging into the site, can you help?
• What ceremonies does my ordination permit me to perform? 
• How do I copy and paste my activation link to activate my ordination?    
• What are my state's laws regarding performing wedding ceremonies?
• I want to upgrade from a Basic to an Advanced or Deluxe, is this possible? 
• I have just been ordained. Are you going to mail me a Certificate of Ordination?    
• What is my official church title?
• Can you recommend some religious humanism links?
• Is this ordination legal in all 50 states?
• Is this ordination legal in Canada?
• Is this ordination legal in the UK?
• I don't want to use my credit card on the Internet, is there another way to pay?
• I just ordered my Clergy Pack, when can I expect it to show up?
• Is this a Christian church?
• Does the Church endorse same sex marriages?

I am having trouble logging into the site, can you help?

Unfortunately because of the way our system is set up there is not a lot we can do to troubleshoot log in problems. On the login page click on the link to have sent yourself a new password. If that does not work email us your username and password and we will try to check it out.

What ceremonies does my ordination permit me to perform?

The official list of ceremonies is: Marriage, Baby Naming, Funeral, Hand Fasting, Commitment, Affirmation of Love, Invocations, Renewal of Marriage, and holiday ceremonies.

However if your religious traditions include ceremonies not mentioned here you may also perform them as long as they break no law and harm no one.

You are prohibited from performing ceremonies that involve exorcism, circumcision and animal sacrifice.

How do I copy and paste my activation link to activate my ordination?

Highlight the URL with your mouse be clicking and holding down the left button as you drag the cursor over the text to be copied.

Put the highlighted text on the clipboard by either pressing the control key and the "c" key at the same time OR by clicking "edit" then "copy" on the tool bar menu at the top of your open window.

Open a browser window and click on the address field where the web page's URL is displayed. Delete anything that is in there then paste in the copied text by pressing the control key and the "v" key at the same time OR by clicking "edit" then "paste" on the tool bar menu on the top of the active window.

Press your enter key to go to the new URL.

What are my state's laws regarding performing wedding ceremonies?

You can help support the church by ordering one of our Advanced or Deluxe Clergy Packs which includes our book "The Officiant's Manual." It has marriage laws from all 50 states and sample ceremonies.

You can also search online for your state code and look for the marriage or family law section. You should learn these laws before you perform any ceremonies just to make sure you don't accidentally break them. I would also recommend calling your county clerks office, or where ever marriage licenses are issued in your locality. Usually they can give you more info about the requirements for wedding officiants.

I want to upgrade from a Basic to an Advanced or Deluxe, is this possible?

You can upgrade your clergy pack at any time. Simply send in the difference in cost (Basic to Deluxe is $75) via PayPal to info@SpiritualHumanism.org or by mail to PO Box 180 Jenkintown PA 19046. Be sure to include a note as to what the payment is for, your name and address, and what title you want.

I have just been ordained. Are you going to mail me a Certificate of Ordination?

Unfortunately we cannot afford to mail every one we ordain a certificate of ordination for free. Please help support the church by ordering one of the clergy packs from our web site http://www.spiritualhumanism.org/shop.php

What is my official church title?

Once ordained your official title is Ordained Clergy Person, or O.C.P. for short. If you would like a different title such as Reverend or Pastor, etc., please support the church by ordering one of Deluxe Clergy Packs for our web site online shop

Can you recommend some religious humanism links?

Perhaps you could check out this web site:

http://www.naturalism.org/spiritua1.htm

It's not official CSH policy but they explain religious humanism very well.

Is this ordination legal in all 50 states?

Laws vary greatly by state. Some states require registration of clergy people. A few states and cities have very difficult regulations. The ones with problems that we are aware of are:

Utah - State law does not recognize mail order or online ordinations. This law may be changed some.

North Carolina - Apparently there is case law that invalidates ordination by the Universal Life Church because they were performed by mail. See the web page http://revkara.com/originalworks/are_you_legally_married.html

Las Vegas - Very strict laws, not easy to be registered.

New York City - Must be registered but it is an easy process. In NYC ordained clergy must register with City Health Department or Office of the City Clerk in one of the five boroughs. Our clergy have successfully registered in NYC, but to do so you will have to order a clergy pack for the extra documentation. When ordering be sure to include a note that you need the NYC Letter of Good Standing and a copy of the Articles of Incorporation.

Vermont - People have reported problems but there appears to be no legal basis for the state's discrimination against online ordinations.

Missouri and Michigan - We have legally recognized local congregation in these states now as required by state law.

Is this ordination legal in Canada?

No, we are not recognised in Canada. Our application to Revenue Canada as a religious non-profit was rejected because we do not include worship of a deity in our services. Canada is not as liberal as the US in recognizing alternative religions and apparently requires a deity, except in cases of ancient religions like Buddhism which are grandfathered in for no apparent reason.

Is this ordination legal in the UK?

Unfortunately we are not officially recognized in the UK (no humanist group is). I think the way it done over there is that the official legally binding ceremony is performed by a local official then a separate religious ceremony is done elsewhere.

I don't want to use my credit card on the Internet, is there another way to pay?

The only way we have to process credit cards is by PayPal. If you can't get that to work (or just don't want to use PayPal) please order by postal mail. Instructions can be found at http://www.spiritualhumanism.org/print.htm

I just ordered my Clergy Pack, when can I expect it to show up?

It usually takes about ten days from the time we receive your order until it is delivered to you. Basic and Advanced orders are sent First Class Mail, and Deluxe are sent Priority.

Is this a Christian church?

The Church of Spiritual Humanism is a humanist church, and does not endorse christian theology. Christians are welcome to join but the tenets of the church are not based on the christian belief system. Our central tenant is that Religion must be based on Reason. The church will only endorse beliefs for with evidence verifiable by the scientific method. Since belief in gods is still a matter of faith rather than science we do not yet endorse it. If verifiable evidence of the supernatural is discovered the church be happy to adopt it into our religious system.

Does the Church endorse same sex marriages?

The Church of Spiritual Humanism recognizes and affirms the right of consenting adults to enter into and celebrate a committed union with each other regardless of their orientation or gender. If marriage is a legal option for a same gender couple our ordained clergy are fully authorized to perform a ceremony sanctified by the church for them. Even if such ceremonies are not legal in certain jurisdictions our clergy will not be penalized by the Church for performing them.

© 2012 Church of Spiritual Humanism