What is Spiritualism?

Spiritualism is the Science, Philosophy and Religion of continuous life, based upon the demonstrated fact of communication, by means of mediumship, with those who live in the Spirit World.

As a Science, Spiritualism investigates, analyzes and classifies facts and manifestations demonstrated from the spirit side of life.

As a Philosophy, Spiritualism studies the Laws of Nature, both on the seen and unseen sides of life, and bases its conclusions upon present observed facts. It accepts statements of observed facts of past ages and conclusions drawn therefrom, when sustained by reason and by results of observed facts of the present day.

As a Religion, Spiritualism strives to understand and to comply with the Physical, Mental and Spiritual Laws of Nature, which are the laws of God.

A Spiritualist believes, as the basis of his or her religion, in the communication between this and the Spirit World by means of mediumship, and who endeavours to mold his or her character and conduct in accordance with the highest teachings derived from such communication.

• A Medium is sensitive to vibrations from the spirit world and through whose instrumentality, intelligences in that world are able to convey messages and produce the phenomena of Spiritualism.
• A Spiritualist Healer, either through their own inherent powers or through mediumship, is able to impart vital, curative force to pathologic conditions.
• The Phenomena of Spiritualism consists of Prophecy, Clairvoyance, Clairaudience, Gift of Tongues, Laying on of Hands, Healing, Visions, Trance, Apports, Levitation, Raps, Automatic and Independent Writings and Paintings, Voice, Materialization, Photography, Psychometry and any other manifestation proving the continuity of life as demonstrated through the Physical and Spiritual senses and faculties of man.

Why is Spiritualism Important Today, More Than Ever?

Spiritualists come from every walk of life. We are bankers, builders, nurses, teachers, bookkeepers, sales clerks, electricians – any and all professions are attracted to Spiritualism. Every place you find thinking men and women coming together, you will find Spiritualists.

Spiritualism is a science, philosophy and religion that satisfies both your logic, your mind and your heart. As the population contemplates the current conditions in the world today, they are seeking a greater understanding of the purpose of life and what can be done to improve individual life situations and the circumstances of the world. Spiritualism gives a person the key that can be used to find the answers she/he seeks.

Spiritualism provides the knowledge that by using prayer and meditation, we can become more aware of our responsibilities to ourselves and to others. Through this inner awareness and guidance received through spirit communications, a person takes the necessary actions to improve his or her own life and contributes to the improved welfare of the entire human race.

Spiritualism is the KEY that sets Humanity Free!

Free to live and grow in the physical through love and law; and free because we know that life is continuous, the spirit never dies. “There is no death, there are no dead.”

The Philosophy Of Spiritualism

The following Declaration of Principles represents the consensus of a very large majority of Spiritualists on the fundamental teachings of Spiritualism:

• We believe in Infinite Intelligence

By this we express our belief in a supreme Impersonal Power, everywhere present, manifesting as life, through all forms of organized matter, called by some, God, by others, Spirit and by Spiritualists, Infinite Intelligence

• We believe that the phenomena of Nature, both physical and spiritual, are the expression of Infinite Intelligence

In this manner we express our belief in the immanence of Spirit and that all forms of life are manifestations of Spirit or Infinite Intelligence, and thus that all men are children of God

• We affirm that a correct understanding of such expression and living in accordance therewith, constitute true religion

A correct understanding of the laws of nature on the physical, mental and spiritual planes of life and living in accordance therewith will unfold the highest aspirations and attributes of the Soul, which is the correct function of True Religion

• We affirm that the existence and personal identity of the individual continue after the change called death

“Life here and life hereafter is all one life whose continuity of consciousness is unbroken by that mere change in form whose process we call death.” Lilian Whiting

• We affirm that communication with the so-called dead is a fact, scientifically proven by the phenomena of Spiritualism

Spirit communication has been in evidence in all ages of the world and is amply recorded in both sacred and profane literature of all ages. Orthodoxy has accepted these manifestations and has interpreted them in dogma and creed in terms of the supernatural. Spiritualism accepts and recognizes these manifestations and interprets them in the understanding and light of Natural Law

• We believe that the highest morality is contained in the Golden Rule: “Whatsoever ye would that others should do unto you, do ye also unto them”

This precept we believe to be true. It points the way to harmony, peace and happiness. Wherever tried it has proven successful and when fully understood and practiced, will bring peace and happiness to man on earth.

• We affirm the moral responsibility of individuals, and that we make our own happiness or unhappiness as we obey or disobey Nature’s physical and spiritual laws

Man himself is responsible for the welfare of the world in which he lives; for its welfare or its misery, for its happiness or unhappiness and if he is to obtain Heaven upon Earth, he must learn to make that heaven, for himself and for others. Individually, man is responsible for his own spiritual growth and welfare. Sins and wrong-doing must be outgrown and overcome.

Virtue and love of good must take their place. Spiritual growth and advancement must be attained by aspiration and personal striving. Vicarious atonement has no place in the philosophy of Spiritualism. Each one must carry his own cross to Calvary’s Heights in the overcoming of wrong-doing and replacing them with the right.

• We affirm that the doorway to reformation is never closed against any human soul here or hereafter

We discard entirely the terrible wrong and illogical teachings of eternal damnation and in place thereof we accept and present for consideration of thinking people the thought of the continuity of life beyond the change called death. A natural life, where the opportunity for growth and progress to better, higher and more spiritual conditions are open to all, even as they are here on the earth plane of life.

We accept no such teaching as a “Hell Fire,” but we do teach that sin and wrong-doing will necessarily bring remorse and suffering that would be difficult to describe in words and which can only be relieved by the individual’s own efforts if not here, then in the hereafter. If we make our own lives better while here and that of our neighbors happier we shall unfold that happiness or heaven on earth which we shall carry with us into the Spirit World.

We affirm that the precepts of Prophecy and Healing are Divine attributes proven through Mediumship

We thus affirm our belief in and acceptance of the truths and assertions that Prophecy and Mediumship are not unique nor of recent occurrence alone, but they are universal everlasting and have been witnessed and observed in all ages of the world.

 

Abridged from www.nsac.org.