Spiritualism versus Witchcraft

[knightofalbion]

(In response to those who ignorantly link spiritualism with witchcraft and the like)

Spiritualism, one can tell them, means the opposite to Materialism. That is, a concept of a spiritual universe as opposed to a chance 'accident'; the concept that all is Spirit, or God, manifesting in manifold forms. The concept that man is spirit, a soul clad in a physical body while on earth, and in finer bodies of a higher vibrational frequency in other spheres after physical 'death'.

One can tell them that Spiritualism is based on proven communication with the so-called 'dead' who are very much alive, and that the teachings of Spiritualism have been and are being given to us by highly evolved disincarnate teachers, specially trained for the contact, generally referred to as The White Brotherhood, acting on behalf of the Christ Spirit which is universal.

One can tell them that the fundamental law of the universe is Love, Service, the overcoming of the lower self, and continuous spiritual progression up the spheres of light - the exact opposite to black magic or witchcraft which descecrates love, seeks only power over others, power over material gain, serves the worst instincts of the lower self to a bestial degree, and pushes people down into the spheres of darkness.

Tell them that Spiritualism is not a belief, nor does it rely on faith, because it is based on knowledge....

Finally, one can tell them that Spiritualism is religion, all religion in its pristine form before it was corrupted by man-made theologies.....

- Peggy Mason (From 'New Age Companion')

I think you need to be a bit more clear with your use of the term "witchcraft," because there is a contemporary religious/occult movement that identifies under said name which is in no way "black magic" or "power seeking" (Wicca is a form of contemporary religions Witchcraft, for example). Without clarifying, some of the statements you make here are offensive to such practitioners.

[knightofalbion]

This is the Spiritualism section. What the article is about is clear enough.

I'm sure people have the intelligence to know what side of the fence they are and what applies to them and what doesn't.

Spiritualists are not witches nor warlocks

Witches & Warlocks use ceremonial magic

Mediums commune with spirits
but that is all they do

Originally Posted by knightofalbion

I'm sure people have the intelligence to know what side of the fence they are and what applies to them and what doesn't.

I wouldn't make that assumption. Too many newcomers, ill-informed people, and idiots in the world for that.

Plus, I've been Neopagan too long to not be sensitive to people conflating "witchcraft" with "malevolent spellcraft" carelessly, especially when talking about issues pertaining to real-life religion and spirituality. If this were fiction, I wouldn't care as much. Examining the relationship between Spiritualism and Witchcraft - when we're not conflating Witchcraft with malevolent spellcraft - will paint a different picture. If the goal is to be informative, using clear terminology is important, yes? Spiritualism vs. malevolent spellcraft is one thing, Spiritualism vs. contemporary religious Witchcraft is entirely a different topic, right?

[knightofalbion]

If you are following the path of Love and Service, if you are striving to overcome your lower self, if you believe in continuous spiritual progression up the spheres of Light, then we are in complete agreement.

As a long-time regular on SF, and especially so the 'Spiritualism' forum, I'm struggling to understand why a Neopagan member is expressing sensitivity about the careless conflation of witchcraft and malevolent spellcraft in a forum about Modern Spiritualism.....

It was, though, a fair reason to start this thread on this basis of an explanation for those, quote: "...who ignorantly link spiritualism with witchcraft and the like."

Ideally it's Spiritualism rather than 'spiritualism', the latter being a catch-all description, the former being specific to the religion and philosophy of (Modern) Spiritualism.

Whatever the confusion concerning witchcraft et al, it would be better for it to be discussed in a 'Witchcraft' (or whatever) forum.

quote: "Spiritualism vs. contemporary religious Witchcraft is entirely a different topic, right?" No sir. That's no topic at all.

That of Spiritualism versus spiritualism might be except that it's already been done to death.

Originally Posted by mac

As a long-time regular on SF, and especially so the 'Spiritualism' forum, I'm struggling to understand why a Neopagan member is expressing sensitivity about the careless conflation of witchcraft and malevolent spellcraft in a forum about Modern Spiritualism.....

Probably because careless conflation of witchcraft with malevolence and negativity can lead people to think all self-proclaimed witches are out to harm and cause chaos. Regardless of the forum, it's still an unneeded and offensive blending of the terms "black magic" and witchcraft in general that can perpetuate stereotypes.

Originally Posted by Animus27

Probably because careless conflation of witchcraft with malevolence and negativity can lead people to think all self-proclaimed witches are out to harm and cause chaos. Regardless of the forum, it's still an unneeded and offensive blending of the terms "black magic" and witchcraft in general that can perpetuate stereotypes.

I've read the piece again and this time more carefully. I now agree with what you've said.

sorry

Originally Posted by Animus27

Probably because careless conflation of witchcraft with malevolence and negativity can lead people to think all self-proclaimed witches are out to harm and cause chaos. Regardless of the forum, it's still an unneeded and offensive blending of the terms "black magic" and witchcraft in general that can perpetuate stereotypes.

Exactly. It reminds me of this pathetic excuse for religious journalism that hit BeliefNet fairly recently. This article doesn't just conflate contemporary religious Witchcraft with "black magic" but with pop culture imaginings of Witches among other things. It's a terrible article, and had quite a backlash among the Neopagan blogosphere. Knight's post isn't anywhere near as bad as this article, but I still have to call things like this when I see it. I realize it's unlikely any disrespect was intended in this case.