Books on Spiritualism?

Originally Posted by Left Behind

But you might want to read it anyway, Mac.

Jim

I've essentially finished reading such books, Jim. I doubt there's anything new left for me to learn about, only different presentations of the same stuff or alternately stuff I have no interest in anyway.

Nowadays my reading is more likely to be ecology, health, communications and science generally....

[Left Behind]

Originally Posted by Loneblossom

Thanks Mac and Jim. I have joined another forum that you are both on (although it's a bit quiet at the moment!).

I'm a bit of a reader, I like to research and get heaps of info on things that I'm interested in. At the moment I'm finding out about Spiritualism to see if it is a religion that I'd want to become more involved with.

See you both in the forums!

That's a very good approach to things in general.

Spiritualist Principles say that Spiritualism is a religion, a philosophy, and a way of life. I believe that this is all true - I can elaborate if you're interested - but as Mac said, it need not be something that requires you to attend or belong to any church or other association.

If you're in the US, as I am, finding a Spiritualist church is extremely difficult. In the UK, they are quite common. Maybe this is in spite of, maybe it's partly because of, the fact that mainstream Christian church attendance in the US is higher than in the UK.

Some Spiritualists disagree, but I don't think that belief or participation in Spiritualism is contrary to Christianity. The Bible itself is spirit-inspired and contains many positive references to spirit contact.

Jim

"Spiritualist Principles say that Spiritualism is a religion, a philosophy, and a way of life. I believe that this is all true - I can elaborate if you're interested - but as Mac said, it need not be something that requires you to attend or belong to any church or other association."

I think that it is interesting that you can be a Spiritualist without attending a church or being a member of an organisation. Could a person learn 'how' to be a Spiritualist through book learning only (or the internet, as so much is now available online)?

[Left Behind]

Not really that odd, Lone Blossom. One could be a Christian without belonging to a church. Both are essentially systems of belief, and (we would hope) conforming your life behavior in line with those beliefs.

As the Bible admonishes us, "do not neglect the assemblying of yourselves together". Ideally, Spiritualists SHOULD attend a Spiritualist church or association regularly (as should Christians a Christian one).

If you believe that it is possible for those on earth to communicate with those in spirit, in some systematic matter, I would say that you BELIEVE in Spiritualism.

If you attemot to do so yourself, either on your own or through another medium, I would say that you ARE a Spiritualist.

Jim

Originally Posted by Left Behind

Not really that odd, Lone Blossom. One could be a Christian without belonging to a church. Both are essentially systems of belief, and (we would hope) conforming your life behavior in line with those beliefs.

As the Bible admonishes us, "do not neglect the assemblying of yourselves together". Ideally, Spiritualists SHOULD attend a Spiritualist church or association regularly (as should Christians a Christian one).

If you believe that it is possible for those on earth to communicate with those in spirit, in some systematic matter, I would say that you BELIEVE in Spiritualism.

If you attemot to do so yourself, either on your own or through another medium, I would say that you ARE a Spiritualist.

Jim

My understanding of being a Christian is that you'd need to be baptised into the Christian faith. But I get your analogy about not needing to attend a church/association.

I take it that actively trying to live your life according to the 7 principles would mean you a Spiritualist too? Please correct me if I'm way off with this.

Originally Posted by Loneblossom

"Spiritualist Principles say that Spiritualism is a religion, a philosophy, and a way of life. I believe that this is all true - I can elaborate if you're interested - but as Mac said, it need not be something that requires you to attend or belong to any church or other association."

I think that it is interesting that you can be a Spiritualist without attending a church or being a member of an organisation. Could a person learn 'how' to be a Spiritualist through book learning only (or the internet, as so much is now available online)?

You don't so much learn to be a Spiritualist as become one because of what you learn....

How you learn it will vary but study is certainly a big help. A little relevant experience helps to cement the information into a coherent picture.

Some have experience with little understanding of the fundamental. Others will have understanding without much, or any, experience. each to their own.....

Originally Posted by Loneblossom

My understanding of being a Christian is that you'd need to be baptised into the Christian faith. But I get your analogy about not needing to attend a church/association.

I take it that actively trying to live your life according to the 7 principles would mean you a Spiritualist too? Please correct me if I'm way off with this.

I think my other recent posting covers this.

My definition of a Spiritualist is very easy.

It's someone who comes to learn and accept that life goes on beyond corporeal death and that sometimes those termed 'dead' return through mediumship to contact those who they love....

Beyond that there's a whole bunch more that Spiritualism itself can offer but you don't need to tread that path just to call yourself a Spiritualist.

Thanks for the clarification Mac.

Originally Posted by Loneblossom

Thanks for the clarification Mac.

always my pleasure.....