July 14, 2025
NASHVILLE: Alvin Kulieke was a young member of the legendary Forum – the people who first read and discussed the manuscripts which later became the Urantia Papers in the 1930s and 40s. Kulieke later served as President of the Urantia Brotherhood in the 1970s until his death. In his professional life, he served as principal of Prospect High School from its opening in 1952 to his death in 1973. In all areas, he seems to have served with honor and distinction, which is why the lack of public support for his legacy by the main Urantia organizations is so troubling for Urantia Book readers around the country.
The controversy began when Kulieke’s reputation was attacked by a student journalist at Prospect High School demanding that his name be removed from the school’s theater. The primary reason given was his involvement with the Urantia Book, which, in its 2097 pages, contains a couple of politically incorrect quotes on the science of eugenics. This led to a school board vote to remove Kulieke’s name from the school’s theater.
“Where was the Foundation? Where was the Fellowship? Where was the International Urantia Association?” said Urantia Corps for Spiritual Progress founder Rebecca Bynum. “This was a direct attack on the Urantia Book, and the main Urantia organizations were all completely absent and, at least publicly, silent. Even if they sent letters to the school board privately, their lack of public response does not inspire confidence among the readership.”
“This matter has farther reaching significance than meets the eye; it is a moment preserved,” added UCSP member Tia Thompson. “The Urantia Book has been publicly introduced as hateful, and the Forum members of ill-repute because of it. This matter concerns everyone, especially those who say they love and uphold the Urantia Revelation.”
The Urantia Book had one lone defender who attended the school board meeting, Halbert Katzen, creator of the Urantia Book Annotated website.
“Renaming the Kulieke Theater has particular significance for the Urantia community, as it should,” began Katzen. “This specific type of attack is also part of a general social trend. However, the bigger issue is teaching students of all ages to not rush to conclusions, to do thorough research, to be fair and respectful towards previous generations, and to understand that reasonable minds will differ on complex issues regarding social evolution,” he said.
UCSP member Dorenda Morse added, “Many people are not familiar with the Urantia Book. They don’t know if it’s good or bad, but they do listen to the news, and if it is represented in a bad light, then it eventually becomes common opinion. This should serve to wake up Urantia Book readers to the need to react quickly and strongly to defend the Urantia Book.”
“I am so disappointed that people demean others’ opinions and perspectives and beliefs,” said UCSP member Marti Garlow Leib. “We should be taking actions on those issues which uplift humanity rather than tearing down an individual’s worthwhile contributions throughout their mortal life achievements.”
Long time reader and UCSP member, Cheryl Phillips said, “I was extremely disheartened to see the school board vote to take Mr Kulieke’s name down because of his beliefs, not his character and how he treated the students and teachers under his leadership, which to me should have been most important. It’s been so many years, but surely there is someone alive who remembers him personally. I also agree that our leadership should have made a firm stand to defend our brother and our beliefs. This was a chance to make ourselves known and to be courageous in defending the Urantia Revelation!”
The Urantia Corps for Spiritual Progress is dedicated to promoting and defending the Urantia Book.
5 responses to “Urantia Book Readers Express Dismay at Lack of Support for Kulieke”
They didn’t remove his name because he was a student of the Urantia book. They removed his name because he took the teachings and made racist suggestions from the teachings and secondary works promoting racism. The UB itself isn’t racist nor what it says about eugenics. But because people like to twist and distort the teachings and people do think it’s a cult. I am not surprised by this and I’m pretty sure the racists who do try and twist its teachings will soon be caught up by the rest of the real world and will be publicly outed or will get sorted out in the mansion worlds.
How we promote the UB will be viewed by all of society and for future generations.
The retrospect of dishonor contrasts with this later retrospect of honor:
(recent internet search) “Before the Theater controversy, Alvin Kulieke was widely regarded as a respected educational leader at Prospect High School. He was principal from the school’s opening in 1957 until his death in 1973, and his legacy was reflected in the naming of the school theater in his honor immediately after his passing. The decision to name the theater after him was seen as a typical mark of respect and appreciation for his service. There were no indications in the public or school record of concerns about his character or affiliations prior to the recent revelations.”
(from UB Tutor and in the spirit of uplifting these stages)
“The teachings encourage individuals to focus on the positive spiritual values of truth, love, and service, which are inherently uplifting and transformative. Dwelling on negativity or acting out of fear can hinder spiritual progress, whereas embracing positive motivations fosters a deeper connection with the divine and contributes to the betterment of both the individual and society.”
Reflecting on the “dismay” …
Releasing the joy of setting sun
doesn’t sour the hours it shone —
for fair weather, even just fair,
can oft be ‘xactly what we need
even when filling but few hours
before need succumbs to sleep.
Hey there,
“Each” might be a typo. Thought I’d mention it; spellace.com has helped me clarify similar cases.
Regards,
Joshua