Church of the Creator

Church of the Creator
TE-TA-MA Truth Foundation-Family Of URI, Inc.
Founded July 14, 1969 (1969-07-14)
Founder Rev. Dr. Grace Marama URI
Headquarters Ashland, Oregon, U.S.
Key people
 Rev. Dr. Angela Magdalene URI,
Rev. Dr. James Germain URI
Website www.churchofthecreator.com

Church of the Creator is a Christian-based faith organization headquartered in Ashland, Oregon. It grew from a church association established in 1969 as Grace House Prayer Ministry, Inc., Chartered on July 14, 1975. The name of the corporation was changed in 1976, restructured in 1977, now the TE-TA-MA Truth Foundation-Family Of URI, Inc.,[1] a California nonprofit public-benefit corporation. The Foundation, within public ministries, anchored through use, the name "Church of the Creator" first conceived in 1974. The Foundation registered the name Church of the Creator in Oregon in 1982.[2]

The Foundation/Church is most notable for achieving protection of its registered trademark Church of the Creator® through legal proceedings within US Federal Courts, "TE-TA-MA v World Church of The Creator"[3] and the Criminal Indictments,[4] trials and convictions that were precipitated during and after the litigation. This notable litigation, US Court Of Appeals OPINIONs included review of "name...genus" of religions, constitutional rights, intellectual property rights, re-defining what is unacceptable, "Vexatious litigation conduct."[5]

At the time of the Complaint, THE PARTIES, 4. "…Church Of The Creator is associated with ministries located in the United States in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin, as well as in Canada, South America and Europe."[6]

After a protracted legal battle, which culminated in a denied appeal to the United States Supreme Court, the Foundation was awarded sole usage of the name "Church of the Creator," which had also been part of the name of the white supremacist group "World Church of the Creator". That racist[7] group is now known as the "Creativity Alliance" and is not associated with the Oregon-based church.[8]

Tenets, principles and practices

The church is described in a dictionary of new religious movements as having a "synthesis of New Age thought, Christianity, and Jewish mystical ideas, such as kabbalah and gemiatry. Particular emphasis is given to the archangel Michael and high priest Melchizedek" and the goal of the church is unification of mankind "with the highest truth and justice for all".[9]

Chryssides describes the church as having been founded in 1969 "by Dr. Grace Marama URI (1932-2006) and her husband, the Rev. Dr. James Germain URI."[9]

According to Chryssides "There is one creative source of all being, with which humanity must align so that all thoughts all things become the manifestation of heaven on earth. "Love, Light and peace" are three key values. It is believed that intergalactic communicators can be summoned to act on humanity's behalf. Of particular assistance is a "tool of consciousness" known as "Divine Right Order®" is explained as an acronym for "Dedicated Individuals Viably Interconnecting New Endeavors; Redemptive Infusion God's Higher Truths; Overself Restoration Degeneration Eternally Redeemed." Membership of the COTC includes all people and is by self-recognition. A member is one who accepts the Sacred Mandate, affirming the oneness of the universe's creative source and the aim of achieving the Divine Right Order in all things, thus securing the alignment between heaven and earth."[9]

Church Organization, Beliefs, through exhibits submitted to the US 7th Circuit Court were reviewed in detail. Judge Easterbrook in the opening statements of the Court Of Appeals OPINION: sets forth the "Treatise Of Joining In Principal and Witness", claim of membership described above by Cryssides, "Sacred Mandate" - Church Of The Creator® Supports the Family Unification of Mankind In All Aspects Of The Whole. We of Like Mind Join Harmoniously In Oneness, Knowing That There Is Only One Creator Source. The Many In One Dedicate Our Physical Embodiments To The God Expression In Form, Bringing Forth By Example To This Planet Earth Love, Light and Peace. Therefore, Once Decreeing DIVINE RIGHT ORDER® In All Thoughts-All Things, Our Universe Automatically Aligns Into Manifestation of Heaven On Earth. Through The Priesthood of Melchizedek We Are One In The Body Of Jesus Christ. As Above So Below." The Court further described this church as "descriptive" "distinctive not generic" stating ""Church of the Creator" as a denominational name leaves ample options for other sects to distinguish themselves and achieve separate identities.[10]

COTC's Principle and Practice, use of the Decree "Divine Right Order®" is defined within the Ascension Glossary, "Stating Divine Right Order essentially means the evocation of the true spiritual law to be made present in all that governs time and space, and through one's own personal intent and consent, they are choosing the authority of Gods Natural Laws to be made manifested within their consciousness and throughout their creations. The delineation that is being made when invoking Divine Right Order is made through the statement, "not my will, but divine will", which is deferring to the highest expression that is possible in every moment. This also means the comprehension that the person that is asking for divine right order is acting upon their own Self-Determination, and the Law of Intent, in so to resolve the authority problem between the Negative Ego and the higher relationship they have with their inner spirit and God expression. It is a choice that is being made to relinquish ones personal control and will, releasing perceptions of needs and desires, with the consent to defer to the natural laws in Divine Right Order."[11]

The Concise Guide to Today's Religions and Spirituality, states: "Church of the Creator, Grace Marama URI – Ashland, OR: A NEW AGE group founded in 1969 as Grace House Prayer Ministry after URI, in an altered state of consciousness, was ordained into the Order, Brotherhood, and Priesthood of Melchizedek by the archangel Michael. In the mid -1970's the name was changed to Church of the Creator. The group teaches that members should develop their CHRIST CONSCIOUSNESS and uplift humanity through the vibrational energy of the Feminine Principle. URI teaches that Jesus Christ is the Lifestream of Michael, and that the HOLY SPIRIT is the Divine Mother. In 1973 -74 the Cross released KARMA and allowed members to experience the New Birth." [12]

In addition to California Charter and other US State Registrations as a foreign nonprofit corporation, the Foundation received U.S. Internal Revenue Service ruling of non-profit status in 1978, and GEN-Group Tax Exemption Determination in 1985, including Church Of The Creator. It is also known as "TE-TA-MA Truth Foundation - Family of URI Inc." and as Family of URI and Church of the Creator. As a church, it is not required to make annual financial filings.[13]

The URI family included, of court records D'Angelica Mariam URI, James Germain URI, and Grace Marama URI.[14]

The church holds registered trademarks for "Church of the Creator", for "Divine Right Order", for "Human Software For Being", and for "URI".[9]

In addition to the USPTO, United States Patent and Trademark Office Registration, the Foundation has an Active Registered Trademark, "Church Of The Creator®" within the European Union Trademark Registration rules and procedures, completed July 17, 2001.[15]

® Trademark litigation and "Ripple Effect"

Suffering from confusion in the public mind and being mistaken, blamed, as responsible for despicable acts of violence, racial hatred, murder, and the publicity associated to such acts, the Foundation initiated litigation to protect its ® Registered Trademark Church Of The Creator.® A Complaint for Trademark Infringement, was filed in the United States District Court For The Northern District of Illinois on May 2, 2002.[6]

While the Church of the Creator was headquartered in Ashland, Oregon, by 2000 it had ministries in 20 states, not including Illinois. It reportedly "said the similar names and trademarks have left the mistaken impression that their church endorses [the Creativity Movement leader] Hale's racist messages."[16] In 2002, the church, represented by Kirkland & Ellis,[17] won an appeals court ruling, and further in 2003 obtained a district judge's ruling of $1,000 per day fine to be applied against the Creativity Movement group, because that group's websites still came up in Yahoo and other internet searches in violation of the trademark ruling.[18] The substantial legal proceedings around the trademark concluded with a 7th Circuit Appeals Court in 2002; there was a routine denial of further appeal by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2003.[19][20][21]

Citizens Against Hate, Nicole Nicholes, December 4, 2005 summarizes the trademark litigation… "This set the wheels in motion and caused Hale to seek the murder of Judge Joan Lefkow, the judge in the case. During that case, it was also determined that many "Creators" could be held responsible for the hefty fines that were imposed. Many of the members ran for cover as they didn't want to be responsible for paying the price of their involvement. .. That is a brief summary of a very dynamic laden situation with more twists and turns than a coal mine." [22]

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) through Chicago Regional Director Lonnie Nasatir recognized the Foundation stating, "The recent trial and conviction of Bill White here in Chicago for his threats against the jury foreperson in the Matthew Hale trial gave us reason to consider the long and tangled web of events that ultimately led to this point. This inevitably included the work of you and your colleagues in defending your legal rights resulting eventually in the dismantling of what was, as you know, then the second largest neo-Nazi organization in the United States. Your efforts have had a positive ripple effect ever since then and the absence of this group has clearly enhanced the TE-TA-MA Foundation's stated goal of pursing universal tolerance and social harmony…." [23]

On January 9, 2003, Matthew F. Hale was arrested and charged with attempting to direct security chief Anthony Evola to murder judge Joan Lefkow.[24] Hale was found guilty of four of five counts (one count of solicitation of murder and three counts of obstruction of justice) on April 26, 2004; in April 2005, he was sentenced to 40 years in a Federal penitentiary.[25]

According to the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), "After Hale was convicted of soliciting the murder of a federal judge in 2004 — and the group was ordered to change its name because of a ruling in a copyright [SIC - trademark] infringement trial — the once-formidable outfit now known as the Creativity Movement all but collapsed, leaving only weak remnants." [26]

Further SPLC states "..by far the most important threat to WCOTC came from a trademark complaint that was brought against Hale and the WCOTC by the TE-TA-MA Truth Foundation, a peace-loving, multicultural church in Oregon that supports "the Family unification of Mankind." [27]

Dec. 2, 2009, the US District Court, Northern District of California, reviewed issues directly relating to religious freedoms, constitutional issues, citing the Trademark Litigation. "Plaintiff identifies himself as a member of World Church of the Creator ("WCOTC"). (Compl. at 3.) In 2002, WCOTC lost a trademark-infringement lawsuit to TE-TA-MA Truth Foundation-Family of URI, Inc., prohibiting WCOTC from continuing to use the name World Church of the Creator. TE-TA-MA Truth Foundation — Family of URI, Inc. v. World Church of Creator, 297 F.3d 662 (7th Cir. 2002). Defendants assert that WCOTC subsequently changed its name to "Creativity." (MSJ at 4.) … For consistency, the Court will refer in this order to plaintiff's alleged religion as "Creativity," to the associated overarching organization as the "Creativity Movement," and to Creativity's adherents as "Creators."… " Here, as discussed above, this Court has found plaintiff's evidence insufficient to support a finding that his beliefs are based on anything other than "purely secular considerations." See id. Accordingly, as plaintiff cannot meet his burden with respect to the issue of whether Creativity is a religion,…" Maxine M. Chesney, District Judge. [28]

US Federal Circuit Court review of "What Constitutes a Religion?" yields evidence of another "ripple effect" originating within the trademark litigation. HALE v. FEDERAL BUREAU OF PRISONS, (D CO, March 28, 2018) "...Creativity Movement [fka World Church of the Creator] is not a religion for purposes of the Free Exercise Clause of the Constitution and RFRA." pg. 22 of 33, f. Conclusion; Chief Judge Marcia S. Krieger.[29][30][31]

References

  1. ↑ California Charter, amendments are verifiable online via search at California Secretary of State, at this search page, Check Corporation circle, Search Criteria: enter=TE-TA-MA
  2. ↑ Oregon Business Name Search, enter=Church Of The Creator
  3. ↑ PACER: Court Docket: List of all entries, filings, in ® Trademark Litigation Case
  4. ↑ January 8, 2003 White Supremacists arrested in Chicago.
  5. ↑ Steven John Olsen. "Protecting Religious Identity with American Trademark Law". (See )
  6. 1 2 PACER: Complaint, filed May 2, 2002
  7. ↑ religioustolerance.org
  8. ↑ http://www.churchofthecreator.com/
  9. 1 2 3 4 George D. Chryssides. Historical Dictionary of New Religious Movements. (See Google books excerpt)
  10. ↑ OPINION, United States Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit. No. 02-1381. Decided: July 25, 2002
  11. ↑ Ascension Glossary, identifies, defines, the use of Divine Right Order, citation of COTC Principle & Practice
  12. ↑ The Concise Guide to Today's Religions and Spirituality, By James K. Walker
  13. ↑ Guidestar (requires free account)
  14. ↑ Justia Law case report
  15. ↑ European Union Trademark, Search Box enter=Church Of The Creator
  16. ↑ "Church Sues Hale's Group Over Trademark". Chicago Tribune. May 3, 2000. p. 6.
  17. ↑ courtlistener and courtlistener 2
  18. ↑ Shia Kapos, Tribune staff reporter (April 25, 2003). "Hale church fined on trademark; U.S. judge sets penalty until it stops using name". Chicago Tribune. p. C3.
  19. ↑ "Appeals Court ruling" (PDF).
  20. ↑ same ruling at OpenJurist.org
  21. ↑ Note a U.S. Supreme Court denial of further review (certiorari) was issued in January, 2003."Supreme Court denial of certiorari)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2005-10-27.
  22. ↑ Citizens Against summary of ripple effect by Nicole Nicholes, December 4, 2005
  23. ↑ ADL letter to Foundation relative ripple effect of Trademark Litigation, dated February 1, 2011
  24. ↑ "United States of America v. Matthew Hale" (PDF). News.findlaw.com. Retrieved 2016-05-25.
  25. ↑ "White supremacist found guilty". ABC7Chicago.com. 2004-04-26. Retrieved August 17, 2007.
  26. ↑ https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/group/creativity-movement-0 SPLC summation of "ripple effect" from the ® Trademark Litigation, use of "Church Of The Creator®"
  27. ↑ https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/intelligence-report/2003/world-church-creator-turmoil-after-leader-matt-hale-imprisoned/ SPLC Intelligence Report, 2003 Spring Issue April 15, 2003, Recognizing "shock waves" repercussion due to ® Trademark Litigation, use of "Church Of The Creator®"
  28. ↑ Constitutional Issue of what constitutes a religion, freedom of religious practices.
  29. ↑ OPINION and ORDER, IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLORADO Chief Judge Marcia S. Krieger
  30. ↑ Constitutional Issue, published by Southern Poverty Law Center - SPLC
  31. ↑ Religion Clause - Objective coverage of church-state and religious liberty developments, with extensive links to primary sources.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.