It is easy as 1-2-3 to become a minister these days. There are numerous Web sites that offer the ordination for free online. There are ones for Christians, humanists, and all different kinds of religious beliefs. I asked myself, why the process is so easy to get ordained. Well, a lot of the options are money making opportunities because you have to pay for the certificate that goes with the proof of the ordination. Therefore, you are likely to pay up to $50 in some cases to get what you need or want. I think that the special designation of being a minister is being tainted with the ability to easily get the title without the study. There should be at least some type of open book exam to make it sound more substantive.
I believe that people that have studied at least the Bible or other religious documents for other beliefs should be required to be tested. Why bother getting a degree anymore, you will still have the same title as your neighbor who went online. For whatever the religion, there should be a person with conviction that believes what they are teaching and understands what they belong to. There is not a call on someone that has no idea what it means to be part of a certain religion. For instance, you could become a spiritual humanist ordained minister without knowing the true meaning. Spiritual humanists believe in the human existence only and that there is no higher being such as God. Based on the description it sounds like a logical and friendly belief to those that like nature. However, they should be clear on their Web site that there is no God before becoming a minister. Otherwise, people could mistakenly join this belief without knowing what contradictions there are in what they believe.
The free Christian ordinations tend to require some type of application online that is reviewed and some type of oath must be agreed upon before sending it. Then once you are approved, you are a minister. It is very unclear about what the true legal capabilities are in some cases, but you can say you are ordained by the particular church. Wiccans, Buddhists, and other options are available to become ordained too. For people that don't have a religion they believe in, I think it makes religion to appear like a joke. Everyone can be a member, but not everyone can lead. This is something that bothers people about the lack of responsibility on behalf of organizations and churches that promote this 1-2-3 minister type opportunities.
In conclusion, if you would like to know more about these different beliefs, just Google the keywords and they will easily come up. The spiritual humanist minister example is Spiritual Humanism. The Christian minister example is Trinity Institute of Christian Counseling. The last one is another example that makes it easy to become a minister Universal Life Church. However, Universal Life Church seminary tries to impart some knowledge and support for the people they ordain. Becoming a religious minister should be a more serious decision and a more tested process to ensure the best capable people lead.
