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THE RELIGION OF SPIRITUALISM Proof of Survival Spiritualism is in itself a religion in that it embodies the main ideas of all religions that there is a life after death, an immortality and the existence of a God. The difference between Spiritualism and other religions is the ability through mediumship to prove that, man survives the grave; that is to say certain people called mediums are able to communicate with those who have passed over. Thus furnishing conclusive evidence of their continued existence in' another world. Mediums cannot call up these people as one would a friend on the telephone-they come to us, but only when they are ready, willing and able so to do. Who are these mediums? They are highly sensitive people who have developed their psychic power, which each one of us possesses to a greater or less degree-women's intuition is an example. Some are born mediums; others take years to develop, while others, through ignorance or Jack of opportunity of development are unable to exercise their gift. The Philosophy of Spiritualism is based on seven fundamental principles (with liberty of interpretation).
Spiritualists are often accused of being atheists or anti-Christian, yet our first principle recognises God as our Father but who is God? We do not regard him as a nebulous person sitting on a throne, but an Infinite Power embodied in all that is good and beautiful in our world, the greatest factor in the universe and the controlling force of all nature. Not Anti-Christian Spiritualists are not anti-Christian any more than they are anti-Jewish, anti-Hindu or anti-Moslem. Spiritualism is a universal religion recognising such leaders as Buddha, Mohamed, Moses as well as Jesus. We do not however, claim a monopoly of religion. One's religion is a personal matter and any person adopting Spiritualism is free to interpret the principles according to their own awareness. Another major difference between Spiritualism and the orthodox Christian religion is embodied in our fifth principle. -Personal Responsibility. We do not accept that Jesus died on the cross to save us from our sins. We hold that no one can do this but ourselves. We are given free will and the ability to distinguish between right and wrong and we alone are responsible for all our thoughts and actions. What the church calls sin we regard as the violation of the divine laws made by God, which Paul interpreted when he wrote "whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap" Man alone must atone for these ”sins" and not shirk his responsibilities. God Not Vindictive Further, we do not believe in a vindictive God sitting in judgment over us. We are our own judges here and now and we shall receive compensation or retribution for whatever we have done, whether good or bad. Heaven and hell are not places to which we are destined to go, but states of mind of our own creation. We do not automatically become spiritual when we leave this world. We shall in fact, retain our earthly characteristics while the opportunity will be given throughout eternity to make spiritual progress and so undo any wrongs we committed on earth, for both free will and personal responsibility will still be with us in the world to come. Man is a spirit now within a mortal body. Death is but the parting of the ways our body to decay but our spirit to live on in a new environment. If death were the end of everything life would merely have a material motive, whereas the knowledge of a future existence gives life a spiritual motive and purpose beyond mere physical existence. We are living in a material scientific age in which orthodox religion has lost its impact. Any religion therefore which can successfully overcome this materialist influence must be scientific-and Spiritualism is just that. It has turned the pious hope of a hereafter into a scientific fact. The advent of the spirit of man into this world and in the course of time, his transition to another world is a scientific fact proved by mediumship. Religion has been defined as faith without science-and science as faith without religion. Spiritualism embodies science, faith and religion, unfettered by dogma or creed. Spiritual Healing Among the great forces of Spiritualism is healing 'the sick either by personal contact "the laying on of hands" or through absent healing. in which patients are treated often at great distances away-by the sending out of healing thoughts and prayers. The so-called miracles of healing performed by Jesus and his disciples are regularly performed by spiritual healers today. Many incurable diseases have been successfully treated. No healer can guarantee a cure, but at least he can alleviate suffering and ease a passing and possibly effect a complete cure. Spiritual healing is not faith healing. Patients have been treated without their knowledge as by absent healing, or through being too ill or too young to understand. We do not expect you to accept these things blindly but we do invite you to prove our claim for yourself by visiting a Spiritualist church and forming your own conclusions. At Spiritualist Church services worship and teachings of Spiritualism forms a part of the service with the addition that the medium endeavours to bring those on the other side who may wish to contact their relatives or friends who may be in the congregation. This is the real meaning of the "Communion of Saints (Spirit) and the Life Everlasting." Please see What I Believe by the late well known and well loved healer, Harry Edwards. |
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