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Parkstone Spiritualist Community

Affiliated to the Spiritualists' National Union.  Charity No. 261898

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SPIRITUALISM

 

MOST OF THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS COPIED FROM THE WEB SITE OF THE SPIRITUALISTS' NATIONAL UNION.

What is Spiritualism?

Spiritualism is a rational religion based on the proven knowledge that man's spirit survives physical death. This has led to a philosophical and scientific approach new to traditional religious faith.

Spiritualist philosophy contains neither dogma nor creed and it is discussed rather than   preached. There is an increasing tendency in these times to think and act collectively and Spiritualism is a religion matching this trend.

 It is a Religion of Reason for all those who see this as an Age of Reason.

At some time in their lives all men ask themselves the question "What happens to me  when I die?" .........Spiritualism claims to give the definite answer to this question.

   It affirms that man's spirit survives physical death and enters a Spirit world   which surrounds and interpenetrates our material life. It asserts that the   truth of this statement can be demonstrated under the right conditions when   communication can and does take place between the worlds of spirit and earthly beings. This communication is only possible through individuals who have what are known as mediumistic abilities and who are known as mediums.

Spiritualists stress that the right conditions must prevail for communication to take place and that the prime condition is that there is a spirit person there willing to communicate. It is not generally understood that communication cannot take place unless the spirits are willing to do so. One of the greatest misapprehensions about Spiritualists is that they call up the dead. Nothing could be further from the truth; if anything, it is the other way round; ample evidence exists throughout history that if and when they are willing the spirit people call us.

Spiritualist mediumship takes two forms and is used depending upon which type of phenomena is being manifested, either physical or mental.

Physical phenomena is of such a nature that it is usually demonstrated only at private seances. Any person sitting with the medium can hear or see what is happening. By means of raps,

 

 

audible voices or materialised figures the spirit people convey intimate information about themselves, their recollection of their earthly lives and details of their lives in the spirit world.

Mental phenomena is demonstrated through the mind of a medium and can be by clairvoyance (the medium sees the spirit); Clairaudience (the medium hears the spirit) or Clairsentience (the medium senses the presence and the thoughts of the spirit). Mental phenomena is the type most often demonstrated in public.

Teaching and philosophy have been communicated from time to time by advanced spirit beings. These have dealt with the purpose of life and the destiny of man based on the revelation that he survives earthly death and leads an active life in spirit dimensions. The realisation that man actively lives beyond the grave so profoundly alters the, conception of life that it has given rise to an entirely new religious outlook, which is diametrically opposed to many of the fundamental ideas of traditional religion, and is known as Spiritualism.

What is known as Modern Spiritualism began in 1848 when sensational happenings in Hydesville led to rapid developments throughout America, eventually reaching Europe including Britain.

Nowadays, the largest Spiritualist organisation is the Spiritualists' National Union based in the UK, and it is recognised by H. M. Government as the legally established religious body for Spiritualism. Originally intended to work only in Britain, lately it has been receiving more and more affiliations from overseas and is becoming somewhat more internationalist in its membership. It has an extensive education and training programme and its philosophy is based on the Seven Principles, which do not lay down rules but encourage people to discuss and think about their attitude to life.

Influenced by these Principles as well as its scientific and philosophical ramifications, for many people Spiritualism has become more than just a religion; it has become a Way of Life.

Kenneth Meynell DSNU 1998


The Seven Principles

  To become a charity an organisation has to set down its aims or its principles.  To this end the SNU decided on a statement of seven principles as described below. 

  Many who believe in life after death would like the seven principles to remain in the annals of the Charity Commission, lest preaching them from our platforms should make Spiritualism a creedal religion like the "orthodox" ones which have fossilised dogmas and creeds, and which demand a set of beliefs as a condition of full church membership and entry to Heaven.

  Others would like the seven principles to be given an airing as often as possible and particularly at each Sunday service.  It takes all sorts to make a world, and the SNU has this to say on the subject.

     Unlike most other major religions, Spiritualism does not tie its adherents to a creed or dogma. Rather, the philosophy of Spiritualism is founded upon seven basic principles which were developed and derived through the mediumship of one of Spiritualism’s greatest pioneers, Emma Hardinge Britten, inspired in 1871 by the communicating spirit of Robert Owen (the founder, when alive in the physical body, of the Co-operative movement).  

      These Seven Principles, which act as guidelines for the development of a personal philosophy of how to live one’s life,
are stated as follows:-
             

                 1. The Fatherhood of God.
                 2. The Brotherhood of Man.
                 3. The Communion of Spirits and the Ministry of Angels.
                 4. The continuous existence of the human soul.
                 5. Personal responsibility .
                 6. Compensation and retribution hereafter for all
                                                            the good and evil deeds done on earth.
                 7. Eternal progress open to every human soul.

Our Principles Explained

The Fatherhood of God

   By the study of Nature - that is, by trying to understand the Laws of Cause & Effect which govern all that is happening around us - we recognise that there is a creative force in the universe. This force, or energy, not only created the whole universe, but also life itself in its many forms and is continuing to create today.

   The effects of this eternal creation can be seen around us and this leads us to the evidence that 'God' - 'The Creative Force' - manifests directly, or indirectly, in all things. We know this power as God and as we are part of the Life created by God, we acknowledge God as our Father.

The Brotherhood of Man

    Because we all come from the same universal life source we are, in effect, one large family, small individual offshoot from the whole. This means that all mankind is part of a brotherhood. A brotherhood is a community for mutual support and comfort.

    We are all members of the same divine family. We need to share our joys as well as our burdens; we need to understand the needs of other individuals in order to assist them as part of our service to each other. As we learn to give so must we also learn to receive thereby achieving the necessary balance for our life.

   We must look not only to the material necessities of our fellow creatures but also to their spiritual needs and help those in need to become strong and worthy of their relationship in the Family of God.

Communion of Spirits and the Ministry of Angels (This is the key Principle to our Religion)

     All religions believe in life after death but only Spiritualism shows that it is true by demonstrating that communication with departed spirits can and does take place. Spiritualist Churches provide one of the venues where communication, through mediumship, is possible and many loved relatives and friends take advantage of this opportunity to continue to take an interest in our welfare.

    There are also spirit people/teachers who are dedicated to the welfare and service of mankind. Some (e.g. Silver Birch) bring inspiration and teachings whilst others work within the healing ministry.

Continuous Existence of the Human Soul

    It is scientifically proven that matter (being part of the creative force, or energy) cannot be destroyed; it merely changes its form. Spirit, as part of the Creative Force is, therefore, indestructible. On the death of the physical body, the spirit continues as an integral part of a world, which interpenetrates our world but in a different dimension. This world is referred to as the SpiritWorld.

     In spirit life we have a spirit body, which until we progress far enough, is a replica of our earthly body. We are the same individuals in every way with the same personalities and characteristics and we change only by progression, or otherwise, as a result of our own efforts. Our personal responsibilities do not stop at death.


Personal Responsibility


   This principle is the one which places responsibility for wrongful thoughts and deeds where it belongs - with the individual. It is the acceptance of responsibility for everyaspect of our lives and the use to which we place our lives depends entirely upon ourselves. It is not possible for any other person, or outside influence, to interfere with our spiritual development, unless we are willing to allow this. No one can put right the wrongdoing except the offender. As we are given freedom of choice (freewill) so also are we given the ability to recognise what is right from what is wrong. We are totally, as well as personally, responsible.

Compensation and Retribution hereafter for all Good and Evil Deeds done on Earth

   As with all the other Principles, the natural laws apply and this one echoes the law of Cause and Effect (as you sow, so shall you reap). One cannot be cruel and vindictive towards others and expect love and popularity in return. It must be understood that the compensatory or retributive effects of this law operate now - on earth - they do not wait until we begin to live in the Spirit World.

Eternal Progress open to every Human Soul

    In every heart there exists the desire for progress and to every human spirit belongs the power to progress in wisdom and love.

    All who desire to tread the path that leads to perfection are able to pursue it.  The rate of progress is directly proportional to the desire for mental and spiritual understanding.

    If we do our best in earth life to follow our inward prompting or intuitions; we shall find progress very easy, on earth as in spirit; if not, every step in advancement will follow a struggle against imperfections, which we ourselves will have worked into our natures. Within the Family of God, with all the advantages that our realisation of that state can give us, we are all given the opportunity to be responsible for our own eternal progress.


    As a final note to these principles, Spiritualism, through an intelligent and thorough investigation of its Seven Principles, reveals the understanding, the deepest significance of service to others and transforms life from selfishness to unselfishness, from individualism to social co-operation.Only on such a foundation can love and truth and all other spiritual values have any practical meaning or reality

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