Spiritualism: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 19:11, 22 March 2025

Belief system involving communication with spirits

Spiritualism is a belief system or religious movement based on the premise 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 as a place in which spirits continue to evolve. These spirits can provide guidance and insight to the living, often through a medium or psychic.

History[edit]

Spiritualism emerged in the mid-19th century, particularly in the United States and the United Kingdom. It gained popularity during a time of significant social change and scientific discovery. The movement was influenced by the Second Great Awakening and the rise of transcendentalism.

The Fox sisters, who claimed to communicate with spirits through "rappings", are often credited with the birth of modern spiritualism in 1848. Their activities sparked widespread interest and led to the establishment of numerous spiritualist societies and churches.

Beliefs[edit]

Spiritualists believe in the continuity of life after death and that spirits can communicate with the living. This communication is often facilitated by a medium, who acts as an intermediary between the spirit world and the physical world. Spiritualists often hold séances or gatherings where these communications take place.

The philosophy of spiritualism emphasizes personal responsibility, moral growth, and the pursuit of truth. It often incorporates elements of Christianity, Hinduism, and other religious traditions, but it is not bound by any single doctrine.

Practices[edit]

Spiritualist practices include mediumship, psychic readings, and healing. Mediums may use various methods to communicate with spirits, such as trance, automatic writing, or clairvoyance.

Spiritualist churches often hold services that include hymns, prayers, and sermons, along with demonstrations of mediumship. Healing practices may involve the laying on of hands or energy healing techniques.

Criticism and Controversy[edit]

Spiritualism has faced criticism and skepticism from both religious and scientific communities. Critics argue that many spiritualist practices lack empirical evidence and are susceptible to fraud and deception.

Despite this, spiritualism has persisted as a belief system and continues to attract followers who find comfort and meaning in its teachings.

Related pages[edit]

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-'''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">{{Cite book|last=Hess|first=David J.|title=Science in the New Age: The Paranormal, Its Defenders and Debunkers, (Science & Literature)|date=1993|publisher=University of Wisconsin Press|isbn=978-0-299-13864-0|page=17}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite book|last=Moreman|first=Christopher M.|title=Beyond the Threshold: Afterlife Beliefs and Experiences in World Religions|date=2008|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|isbn=978-0-7425-6228-8|page=41}}</ref>
+{{Short description|Belief system involving communication with spirits}}
+{{Spirituality sidebar}}
-== History ==
+'''Spiritualism''' is a [[belief system]] or [[religious movement]] based on the premise 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 as a place in which spirits continue to evolve. These spirits can provide guidance and insight to the living, often through a medium or psychic.
-Spiritualism developed and reached its peak growth in membership from the 1840s to the 1920s, especially in English-speaking countries.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|last=Moore|first=William D.|title=Inventing the Savage: The Social Construction of Native American Criminality|date=1997|publisher=University of Texas Press|isbn=978-0-292-75213-8|page=168}}</ref> By 1897, spiritualism was said to have more than eight million followers in the United States and Europe,<ref name=":3">{{Cite book|last=Doyle|first=Arthur Conan|title=The History of Spiritualism, Vol. I|date=1926|publisher=George H. Doran, Co.|page=110}}</ref> mostly drawn from the middle and upper classes.
+==History==
+Spiritualism emerged in the mid-19th century, particularly in the United States and the United Kingdom. It gained popularity during a time of significant social change and scientific discovery. The movement was influenced by the [[Second Great Awakening]] and the rise of [[transcendentalism]].
-== Beliefs ==
+The [[Fox sisters]], who claimed to communicate with spirits through "rappings", are often credited with the birth of modern spiritualism in 1848. Their activities sparked widespread interest and led to the establishment of numerous spiritualist societies and churches.
-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.
+==Beliefs==
+Spiritualists believe in the continuity of life after death and that spirits can communicate with the living. This communication is often facilitated by a [[medium]], who acts as an intermediary between the spirit world and the physical world. Spiritualists often hold [[séances]] or gatherings where these communications take place.
-== Practices ==
+The philosophy of spiritualism emphasizes personal responsibility, moral growth, and the pursuit of truth. It often incorporates elements of [[Christianity]], [[Hinduism]], and other religious traditions, but it is not bound by any single doctrine.
-Spiritualist practices can include [[mediumship]], [[healing]], [[clairvoyance]], [[reincarnation]], [[precognition]], [[spirit possession]], and [[exorcism]], among others.
+==Practices==
+Spiritualist practices include [[mediumship]], [[psychic readings]], and [[healing]]. Mediums may use various methods to communicate with spirits, such as [[trance]], [[automatic writing]], or [[clairvoyance]].
-== Criticism and controversy ==
+Spiritualist churches often hold services that include [[hymns]], [[prayers]], and [[sermons]], along with demonstrations of mediumship. Healing practices may involve the laying on of hands or [[energy healing]] techniques.
-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.
+==Criticism and Controversy==
+Spiritualism has faced criticism and skepticism from both religious and scientific communities. Critics argue that many spiritualist practices lack empirical evidence and are susceptible to [[fraud]] and [[deception]].
-== See also ==
+Despite this, spiritualism has persisted as a belief system and continues to attract followers who find comfort and meaning in its teachings.
-* [[Spiritualism (beliefs)]]
-* [[Spiritualism (religious movement)]]
-* [[History of Spiritualism]]
-* [[Criticism of Spiritualism]]
-== References ==
+==Related pages==
-<references />
+* [[Mediumship]]
+* [[Séance]]
+* [[Parapsychology]]
+* [[Afterlife]]
+* [[Transcendentalism]]
+[[Category:Spirituality]]
 [[Category:Religious movements]]
-[[Category:Spiritualism]]
+[[Category:Paranormal]]
-[[Category:Afterlife]]
-[[Category:Mediumship]]
-[[Category:Healing]]
-[[Category:Clairvoyance]]
-[[Category:Reincarnation]]
-[[Category:Precognition]]
-[[Category:Spirit possession]]
-[[Category:Exorcism]]
-{{stub}}
-{{No image}}