Beliefs

Beliefs

Beliefs

Spiritualism is too diverse to have a universal code of beliefs; instead, Spiritualists accept sets of more wide ranging principles.

The Spiritualists' National Union in the UK bases itself on the Seven Principles, which all full members must accept. These are:

1. The Fatherhood of God
2. The Brotherhood of Man
3. The Communion of Spirits and the Ministry of Angels
4. The continuous existence of the human soul
5. Personal responsibility
6. Compensation and retribution hereafter for all the good and evil deeds done on earth
7. Eternal progress open to every human soul

Declaration of Principles

The National Association of Spiritualist Churches in the USA has nine principles which provide more information about Spiritualist beliefs:

1. We believe in Infinite Intelligence.
2. We believe that the phenomena of Nature, both physical and spiritual, are the expression of Infinite intelligence.
3. We affirm that a correct understanding of such expression and living in accordance therewith, constitute true religion.
4. We affirm that the existence and personal identity of the individual continue after the change called death.
5. We affirm that communication with the so-called dead is a fact, scientifically proven by the phenomena of Spiritualism.
6. We believe that the highest morality is contained in the Golden Rule: 'Whatsoever ye would that others should do unto you do ye also unto them.'
7. We affirm the moral responsibility of the individual, and that we make our own happiness or unhappiness as we obey or disobey Nature's physical and spiritual laws.
8. We affirm that the doorway to reformation is never closed against any human soul here or hereafter.
9. We affirm that the precepts of Prophecy and Healing contained in all sacred texts are Divine attributes proven through Mediumship.

Principles of Spiritualism in detail

Principles of Spiritualism in detail

Declaration of Principles (Spiritualists' National Union)

The SNU declaration of principles provides a good basis to explain the Spiritualist view or the world.

The Fatherhood of God

• The creative force in the universe is what Spiritualists know as God
• That force created life in the beginning and still does so today
• Spiritualists acknowledge God as their Father because they are part of the Life created by God

The Brotherhood of Man

• All human beings are members of one divine family because they spring from the same creative force
• Each person should understand the needs of other individuals in order to assist them
• Spiritualists must look not only to the material necessities of their fellow creatures but also to their spiritual needs

The Communion of Spirits and the Ministry of Angels

• All religions believe in life after death but only Spiritualism shows that it is true by showing that communication with departed spirits actually occurs
• Spiritualist Churches provide one of the venues where communication, through mediumship, is possible
• Many physically deceased relatives and friends take advantage of this opportunity to continue to take an interest in the welfare of the living

The continuous existence of the human soul

• Matter (being part of the creative force, or energy) cannot be destroyed; it merely changes its form. Spirit, as part of the Creative Force is, therefore, indestructible.
• On the death of the physical body, the spirit continues as an integral part of the spiritual world
• The spiritual world interpenetrates this material world, but in a different dimension
• In spirit life we have a spirit body, which, until we progress far enough, is a replica of our earthly body
• Individuals in the spirit world remain the same individuals with the same personalities and characteristics
• Individuals in the spirit world only progress through their own efforts
• Individual personal responsibilities do not stop at death.

Personal responsibility

• Each individual is responsible for their wrongful thoughts and deeds
• No other person, or outside influence can interfere with an individual's spiritual development, unless they allow them to

Compensation and retribution hereafter for all the good and evil deeds done on earth

• As you sow, so shall you reap
• The compensatory or retributive effects of this law operate now - they do not wait until life in the Spirit World.

Eternal progress open to every human soul

• Every human spirit has the power to progress in wisdom and love
• The rate of progress is directly proportional to the desire for mental and spiritual understanding
• Each spirit always has the opportunity to reform, and to deal with the wrong things it has done in the past