Spiritualism as a Religion.

[Native spirit]

Spiritulism is regarded as a religion now


Namaste

Originally Posted by Busby

Various exceptional experiences in my life have led me invariably to the belief that our material world has a veiled backdrop which sometimes under certain conditions and at certain moments opens a little to allow a glimpse of an otherwise invisible world

I don't look upon this as being or having anything to do with religion or indeed anything divine. It (the backdrop) belongs to the natural order of things. This invisible world is the source of all life's energy and is the driving force of the universe. It hides itself below the atom. It uses consciousness to achieve self-awareness.

So for me Spiritualism isn't a religion.

The aspect of our survival beyond death - however one perceives that state of being - is something outside of religious connotation. BUT communication via mediumship with those once thought dead - fundamental to the religion and philosophy of 'Spiritualism' along with a number of other principles - are the basis of the religion of Spiritualism.

What you're talking about, Busby, is the state of awareness of matters of the spirit and that's 'spiritualism' with a lower case letter 's'. And you're right that isn't a religion.

[Left Behind]

Originally Posted by Busby

Various exceptional experiences in my life have led me invariably to the belief that our material world has a veiled backdrop which sometimes under certain conditions and at certain moments opens a little to allow a glimpse of an otherwise invisible world

I don't look upon this as being or having anything to do with religion or indeed anything divine. It (the backdrop) belongs to the natural order of things. This invisible world is the source of all life's energy and is the driving force of the universe. It hides itself below the atom. It uses consciousness to achieve self-awareness.

So for me Spiritualism isn't a religion.

Yes, but your statement leaves open the question whether this invisible world beyond / behind our material world was created by a transcendant God, or not. If you believe that it was, that is a religious belief. If you don't, then it isn't.

[Busby]

Originally Posted by Left Behind

Yes, but your statement leaves open the question whether this invisible world beyond / behind our material world was created by a transcendant God, or not. If you believe that it was, that is a religious belief. If you don't, then it isn't.

I did actually say that IMO this invisible world has nothing to do with the divine. Just think of Jung and his collective unconscious. There is no doubt in my mind that this exists - it's just being ignored - mainly because it can't be put under a microscope I presume.

[Left Behind]

Originally Posted by Busby

I did actually say that IMO this invisible world has nothing to do with the divine.

My point precisely. In your OPINION, this invisible world has nothing to do with the divine. In the OPINION of others, it has everything to do with the divine.

[dream jo]

i feal happpy bean a spirtlast ii do sinsess goin to churshh i feal lk i belng it lst i do thy get me coz i sea
spirtt i no longr get toldd its in my hed or im seain thngss i dnt

[FallingLeaves]

Originally Posted by Left Behind

My point precisely. In your OPINION, this invisible world has nothing to do with the divine. In the OPINION of others, it has everything to do with the divine.

why should either opinion matter? If it is going to be there no matter WHAT you believe?

[dream jo]

all i no i fianlyy feal lk i be longg i do

[tom7bills]

I was chatting with an elderly gentleman at a Spiritualist Church one time, he had been around since the early days of Spiritualism and when it was all going on The UK Government at the time had insisted that God be a man in this religion, there were those who wanted God to be gender neutral, but the Govt said no man no official religion. I dont know if that was true but I had no reason to doubt the gentleman. He did know his stuff with Spiritualist History.

Originally Posted by tom7bills

I was chatting with an elderly gentleman at a Spiritualist Church one time, he had been around since the early days of Spiritualism and when it was all going on The UK Government at the time had insisted that God be a man in this religion, there were those who wanted God to be gender neutral, but the Govt said no man no official religion. I dont know if that was true but I had no reason to doubt the gentleman. He did know his stuff with Spiritualist History.

In the 1950s or thereabouts the philosophy and teachings of Modern Spiritualism were codified after the repeal of The Fraudulent Mediums Act.

To get legal recognition as a religion and ensure its survival required compromises which eventually led to the adoption of the so-called Seven Principles. That done Spiritualism was eventually accepted as a registered religion.

All that was somewhat before my time and as history isn't my forte I can't give details but research online what needed to happen.