*What is Spiritualism?
Creeds, dogmas, doctrines,
rituals, ceremonies, stained
glass, altars, mitre, cope --
what have these to do with
religion? Religion is in the
spirit, the spirit that belongs to
all Creation, which expresses
itself in every rhythm and
manifestation of life that is
revealed in every aspect of
Nature and in the striving of
all idealists and reformers who
wish to serve. What has that to
do with creeds?
Silver Birch
1. Infinite Spirit, Divine Creator of All That Is.
2. Unity and Equality of All.
3. Communication, Guidance and Healing from Spirit and Angels.
4. Continuous Existence of the Soul and Its personality.
5. Personal responsibility for the Creation of Our Reality,
through Thought, Word and Deed.
6. Actions create results according to Natural Law.
7. Eternal Progress open to Every Soul.
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. 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 that surrounds and interpenetrates our material and physical 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. A physical phenomenon is of such a nature that it is usually demonstrated only at private séances. Any person sitting with the medium can hear or see what is happening. By means of raps, audible voices or materialized 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 realization 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 the United States and Canada, eventually reaching Europe including Britain. Nowadays, the largest Spiritualist organization in Canada is the Spiritualist Church of Canada based in Toronto Ontario, and it is recognized by Federal. Government as the legally established religious body for Spiritualism. It has an extensive education and training program 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.
1. The Fatherhood of God.
2. The Brotherhood of Man.
3. The Communion of Spirits and the Ministy of Angels.
4. The Continue existence of the Human Soul.
5. Personal Responsibility.
6. Compensation and Retribution hereafter for all good and evil deeds done on earth.
7. Eternal Progress open to every human soul.