Is it really this easy to become ordained as a minister?

I have a couple of friends who basically did the same thing, so, I’m inclined to say “yes.”

About 35 years ago, I did this as well. It gives you the ability to perform marriages, but it really doesn’t effect your taxes. It’s just a certificate.

This appears to me to be a spoof. The Conan Obrian clip is sarcastic and funny. This aside, who on earth wants their marriage performed by someone who has a certificate from some non-church pretending to be a church. Would you go to a physician who got his/her MD this way? Probably not.

If you can gain admission to the “clergy” by filling out an online form, what have you accomplished? Sorry, this just seems wierd to me.

@plethora: I would want to do this for the reason I stated in my question. I have a few couples who have told me that if I was to become ordained, they would want me to perform the ceremony. It’s about facilitating a happy event in my friends’ lives, not becoming an official member of the clergy.

The requirements for ordination vary by religion and denomination. To be a Lutheran minister, you have to have a degree and then spend another 4 years in seminary. There are “churches” that will ordain you with a few key strokes, just send them your credit card number.

This is probably legitimate, I know quite a few places that do that. A friend of mine is ordained and I’m going to ask him to officiate my wedding (as I’m an atheist and won’t be having an actual priest officiate, not by a long shot).

But keep in mind certain states have different rules. I know a person I in, i think it’s Michigan, needed to sign up with the city and pay $20 or so to become recognized so he could officiate a wedding. Without that added bit the certificate was really just a useless piece of paper, so check that out.

Edit: ah, checked out the site, and it is for realz. That would be the place my friend was ordained, and a minister thereof officiated my sister’s wedding. They’re legit.

Edit edit also, I have to join on the pile on of @plethora. If someone is trying to use it as proof of being a theologian, sure, it’s bunk. But the vast majority of these ordinations are going to people trying to officiate weddings, which needs nothing more then to be recognized by the state. Which, by the way, shouldn’t need any religious affiliation at all. But that’s another argument for another day.

I remember this from the 60s and 70s, it was very popular. People wanted to “take back” the idea of having the wedding they they wanted, one where a close friend or relative could marry them without having to involve strange civil servants, or cater to the demands of a church they did not subscribe to. And @plethora , your comparison to an MD is just silly. I mean really.

Well, I’ve just filled out the form. Now I’m going to move to the research step so as to determine what steps need to be taken for me to officiate a wedding. :)

Yes, this is legitimate and how my father-in-law was able to marry my husband and I this year.

I did it! Just make sure you know the state laws if you’re doing a wedding!!!

There is some confusing wording in the CT marriage officiant law. I’ll contact the country clerk tomorrow or Tuesday and let you all know what goes down.

Supposedly it is pretty easy to be able to perform wedding ceremonies for the state. I know a couple of people who have done it who were not clergy. I would ask the county clerk, as you stated, how to do it.

@JilltheTooth @BhacSsylan If mainline churches require a college degree plus 4 years of seminary, comparison to education for an MD is logical. If we are talking about online certificate mills that simply issue a piece of paper to cover one in regard to the law, then no it is not comparable. A college education plus four post graduate years in theology or medicine confers an education. Signing up on online confers nothing but appearance. And if appearance is all that is needed, so be it. No problem.

Signing up online for the specific purpose of officiating at a wedding, not to lead a flock in a spiritual manner is not the same thing and you know it. I’ve known quite a few in my time who have done the Universal Life thing and never with the intention of claiming some kind of theological status. You are being fantastically naive if you think that is KatawaGrey’s intention, especially since she stated it was not. No one here is saying it’s the equivalent of seminary. You are fencing with a noodle.

@JilltheTooth: I lol’ed at “fencing with a noodle.”

@JilltheTooth Cool down….I have the greatest respect for @KatawaGrey . She asked about the ad. I gave my take based on my experience.