Spiritualism

Spiritualism is a religious movement based on the belief that the spirits of the dead exist and have both the ability and the inclination to communicate with the living. The afterlife, or the "spirit world", is seen by spiritualists, not as a static place, but as one in which spirits continue to evolve. These two beliefs—that contact with spirits is possible, and that spirits are more advanced than humans—lead spiritualists to a third belief: that spirits are capable of providing useful knowledge about moral and ethical issues, as well as about the nature of God. Some spiritualists will speak of a concept which they refer to as "spirit guides"—specific spirits, often contacted, who are relied upon for spiritual guidance.<ref name=":0">David J.,

 Science in the New Age: The Paranormal, Its Defenders and Debunkers, (Science & Literature), 
  
 University of Wisconsin Press, 
  
  
  
 ISBN 978-0-299-13864-0,</ref><ref name=":1">Christopher M., 
  
 Beyond the Threshold: Afterlife Beliefs and Experiences in World Religions, 
  
 Rowman & Littlefield, 
  
  
  
 ISBN 978-0-7425-6228-8,</ref>

History

Spiritualism developed and reached its peak growth in membership from the 1840s to the 1920s, especially in English-speaking countries.<ref name=":2">William D.,

 Inventing the Savage: The Social Construction of Native American Criminality, 
  
 University of Texas Press, 
  
  
  
 ISBN 978-0-292-75213-8,</ref> By 1897, spiritualism was said to have more than eight million followers in the United States and Europe,<ref name=":3">Arthur Conan, 
  
 The History of Spiritualism, Vol. I, 
  
 George H. Doran, Co.,</ref> mostly drawn from the middle and upper classes.

Beliefs

The central belief of spiritualism is that spirits of the dead exist and have both the ability and the inclination to communicate with the living. The afterlife, or the "spirit world", is seen by spiritualists, not as a static place, but as one in which spirits continue to evolve.

Practices

Spiritualist practices can include mediumship, healing, clairvoyance, reincarnation, precognition, spirit possession, and exorcism, among others.

Criticism and controversy

Spiritualism has been the subject of criticism and controversy. Critics assert that there is no empirical evidence to support the claims made by spiritualists and that the movement is based on deception and manipulation.

See also

• Spiritualism (beliefs)
• Spiritualism (religious movement)
• History of Spiritualism
• Criticism of Spiritualism

References

<references />

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