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Spiritualism

DEFINITIONS
Adopted by the National Spiritualist Association of Churches
October 1914, 1919, 1930, 1950

• Spiritualism is the Science, Philosophy and Religion of continuous life, based upon the demonstrated fact of communication, by means of mediumship, with those who live in the Spirit World. (1919)
• "Spiritualism Is a Science" Because it investigates, analyzes and classifies facts and manifestations demonstrated from the spirit side of life.
• "Spiritualism Is a Philosophy" because it studies the Laws of Nature both on the seen and unseen sides of life and bases its conclusions upon present observed facts. It accepts statements of observed facts of past ages and conclusions drawn therefrom, when sustained by reason and by results of observed facts of the present day.
• "Spiritualism Is a Religion" because it strives to understand and to comply with the Physical, Mental and Spiritual Laws of Nature, which are the laws of God.
• A Spiritualist is one who believes, as the basis of his or her religion, in the communication between this and the Spirit World by means of mediumship and who endeavors to mould his or her character and conduct in accordance with the highest teachings derived from such communication. (1914, Rev. 1938)
• A Medium is one whose organism is sensitive to vibrations from the spirit world and through whose instrumentality, intelligences in that world are able to convey messages and produce the phenomena of Spiritualism. (1914)
• A Spiritualist Healer is one who, either through one's own inherent powers or through mediumship, is able to impart vital, curative force to pathologic conditions. (1930, 1993)
• The Phenomena of Spiritualism consists of Prophecy, Clairvoyance, Clairaudience, Gift of Tongues, Laying on of Hands, Healing, Visions, Trance, Apports, Levitation, Raps, Automatic and Independent Writings and Paintings, Voice, Materialization, Photography, Psychometry and any other manifestation proving the continuity of life as demonstrated through the Physical and Spiritual senses and faculties of man. (1950)

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Principles 1-6 adopted in Chicago, Illinois, 1899

Principles 7-8 adopted in Rochester, New York, 1909

Principle 9 adopted in St. Louis, Missouri, 1944

Principle 9 revised in Oklahoma City, 1983

Principle 9 revised in Westfield, New Jersey, 1998

Principle 8 revised in Rochester, New York, 2001

Principle 6 revised in Ronkonkorma, New York, 2004

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the organized movement of Spiritualism may be stated in part as follows:

• To teach the truths and principles expressed in the Declaration of Principles and in the Definitions of "Spiritualism," "A Spiritualist", "A Medium" and "A Spiritualist Healer" as adopted by the National Spiritualist Association of Churches of the United States of America;

• To teach and proclaim the Science, Philosophy and Religion of Modern Spiritualism;
• To encourage lectures on all subjects pertaining to the spiritual and secular welfare of humanity;
• To protest against every attempt to compel humanity to worship God in any particular or prescribed manner;
• To advocate and promote spiritual healing, and to protect and encourage Spiritualist teachers and mediums in all laudable efforts in giving evidence of proof to humanity of a continued intercourse and relationship between the living and the so-called dead;
• To encourage every person in holding present beliefs always open to restatement as growing thought and investigation reveal understanding of new truths thereby, leaving every individual free to follow the dictates of reason and conscience in spiritual as in secular affairs.
  
•  National Spiritualist Association of Churches 2004
  

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