In 1974 the ULC sued the Federal Government  in response to a challenge against the tax exempt status of the ULC.  The ULC is a non-traditional, non-Christian church based in California.  The following are excerpts from the court when it ruled in favor of the ULC.  Even though the ULC is not a Christian organization, the ruling of the courts have been a great assistance to the rest of us.

"Certainly the ordination of ministers and the chartering of churches are accepted activities of religious organizations... The fact that the plaintiff distributed ministers' credentials and Honorary Doctor of Divinity certificates is of no moment. Such activity may be analogized to mass conversions at a typical revival or religious crusade."

 Here is the part of the decision which guarantees the legality of your ordination: "Neither this Court, nor any branch of this Government, will consider the merits or fallacies of a religion. Nor will the Court compare the beliefs, dogmas, and practices of a newly organized religion with those of an older, more established religion. Nor will the Court praise or condemn a religion, however excellent or fanatical or preposterous it may seem. WERE THE COURT TO DO SO, IT WOULD IMPINGE UPON THE GUARANTEES OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT."

Under this federal court ruling this protects the rights of those seeking online ordinations. It also protects the right to ordain.

However, proper measures must be taken. This means that a computer can not generate your ordination. A real human must review your aplication for ordination, and then a human must record the decission to ordain you, and issue the proper documents within it's church bylaws.

Online ordinations are perfectly legal, as long as a actual human reviews and aproves your ordination.

We at COLM do this.

For the complete ruling and case information please folow this link:

http://www.ulccaselaw.com/legalPDF/ULC%20v%20USA%201974.pdf