Editing Universal Life Church (section)

==Beliefs and practices==
The [[U.S. Department of the Army]] publication, ''Religious Requirements and Practices: A Handbook for Chaplains'', summarized the doctrines of the ULC as follows:

{{blockquote|The Universal Life Church has only one belief. They believe in that which is right and in every person's right to interpret what is right. The Universal Life Church has no creed or authoritative book such as a Bible. Those wishing to learn about the Church can obtain its periodical Universal Life and other materials that it publishes from its international headquarters. No specific ethical guidelines except to do "what is right". ... The Universal Life Church is open and accepting of people of all religions. It is opposed only to those religions that attempt to deny religious freedom. Any minister in the ULC can ordain new members. ... The Universal Life Church has no specific [[holiday]]s, though local congregations celebrate a wide variety of them. There are two gatherings (conventions) each year in the spring and in the fall, at which the members and ministers meet for celebration and to conduct business.<ref name="Handbook"/>}}

According to Lewis, Hensley personally believed in [[reincarnation]], in a merely [[Historical Jesus|human Jesus]], and "in the reunification of all religions and governments under the Universal Life banner during thirty years of turmoil around the year 2000".<ref name="J. R. Lewis"/> None of these beliefs were doctrinal to the ULC, which allowed members to follow their own doctrines. The U.S. Army's ''Handbook for Chaplains'' also notes that the ULC "has a very loose structure", with those ordained being given "a set of instructions on how to form a congregation", but otherwise operating with complete autonomy. It further notes that those ordained "may perform any of the functions normally associated with the clergy, including the conducting of weddings, funerals, etc.", and that "[g]roup worship is not required, but local congregations are required to hold regular meetings".<ref name="Handbook"/> The ULC is noted to have no medical or [[dietary restrictions]], and no specific [[burial requirements]].<ref name="Handbook"/> With respect to military service, the handbook notes that the ULC maintains no [[Conscientious objector|doctrinal opposition to military service]], but "respects the individual opinion of its members".<ref name="Handbook"/>