So this morning, I decided to test the parodies on shows like SNL and Simpsons about how easy it is to get ordained as a minister online. Apparently its ridiculously easy.

I typed in to Google, “ordained minister”, and got a bunch of search results leading me to various websites.

I filled out a few forms, and I am now the proud ordained minister of not one, not two, but four churches.

Churches:

• Universal Life Church
• Spiritual Humanism (Not legal in Canada)
• Temple of Earth
• Church of Dude-ism

The reason Spiritual Humanism isn’t legal in Canada is because it is not recognized as a religion, because it does not worship a deity.

Fill out the forms, print out the certifications(or pay in the case of Spiritual Humanism). I did find about 3-4 more sites that asked money before ordination would be done, and decided not to send money to some random site on the internet.

As Dan of compsci.ca points out, most places in Canada still won’t accept these certificates, but it depends on which province you are in. Get familiar with the marriage laws for your area before you perform a ceremony.

Frankly, the ease of the ordination makes an unfortunate mockery of real ordained ministers that have studied for years and worked hard to achieve their title. Such organizations cheapen the title “Reverend” and whatever else they wish to put before your name.

Edit: As Troff asked, there is now a link to Spiritual Humanism. And I was mistaken, it wasn’t transhumanism, but humanism.