A religious group combining chiropractic beliefs with an anti-vaccination stance.
The Congregation of Universal Wisdom, founded in the mid-1970s by chiropractor Walter P. Schilling, is a religious group that combines chiropractic philosophy with spiritual beliefs centered on the concept of “Universal Wisdom.” This doctrine asserts that a Supreme Master oversees all aspects of creation and life, guiding humanity towards a harmonious existence where spiritual and physical ailments are seen as deviations from this Universal Wisdom. Remedies for these ailments involve aligning one’s life with its principles, which include a strong commitment to maintaining the body’s integrity according to natural laws.
Members of the Congregation are staunchly opposed to the use of medications, chemicals, or any foreign substances deemed unnatural, with a particularly contentious stance against vaccinations. They view these as violations of the sanctity of the human body, arguing that such medical interventions contravene their spiritual convictions. This belief has not only sparked debates but has also led to numerous legal cases where members have sought religious exemptions from vaccination mandates.
The organization eschews the need for a physical place of worship, reflecting its belief in an omnipresent divine presence. Instead, worship can occur anywhere, which underscores their view that God and Universal Wisdom are pervasive. The Congregation is structured with both a lay membership and a ministry, with ministers trained in its doctrines, including practices like laying hands on the vertebrae to convey and maintain life forces.
Central to its teachings is the concept of Universal Intelligence, a guiding principle for human existence that the Congregation believes society has strayed from, leading to moral upheaval and a devaluation of human values. Members hold that society’s redemption lies in realigning with Universal Intelligence and the innate human mind.
The organization operates as a decentralized network where prospective ministers submit dissertations reviewed by their peers, leading some critics to label it a “sham religion” used by parents to claim vaccination exemptions under religious grounds. These claims have frequently led to court cases with mixed outcomes concerning the recognition of such exemptions.
Despite controversies, particularly concerning public health policies due to its anti-vaccination stance, the Congregation of Universal Wisdom maintains a membership across several states, with followers committed to living in accordance with what they view as a higher, divinely guided natural law.
image via Deseret News
