Spiritualism FAQ
From New Age Village
By David Gregg
Q: What is spiritualism?
A: Spiritualism is a semi-religious movement that began in 1848 in the United States. It's popularity swept both America and Britain, eventually fading in the twentieth century. A modern version of it still exists today.
Q: What made Spiritualism so popular?
A: Spiritualism dramatically addressed that ageless question: Is there life after death? Mediums and seances were used to communicate with the dead, and this was often accompanied by paranormal phenomenon like table rappings, the materialization of objects, and ghostly apparitions. These manifestations stirred the imaginations of millions, and it was hoped the question of immortality would finally be answered.
Q: What started the movement?
A: In Europe the mystical writings of Emanuel Swedenborg were already quite popular, while mesmerism fascinated many in the United States. Thus, the road was being paved for a new spiritual movement. In 1848, when the Fox sisters of Hydesville, New York revealed communications with spirits via mysterious rappings, the story swept the nation and created an enthusiastic following. P.T. Barnum brought the sisters to New York city, and they impressed influential people like William Cullen Bryant, Horace Greely, James Fenimore Cooper, and George Ripley.
Q: Wasn't the movement proved to be fraudulent?
A: Indeed, there was much fraud in Spiritualism. But like anything else, there will always be opportunists and charlatans who take advantage of a situation for monetary gain. Many of the mediums were rightly accused of fraud, yet as it is true today, a couple of them survived the scrutiny and produced impressive results throughout their careers.
Q: Did Spiritualism believe in reincarnation?
A: In the beginning, Spiritualism did not embrace the tenets of reincarnation, but the modern incarnation of Spiritualism does. Spiritism, a movement popular in Europe during the same time period, did believe in reincarnation, and so did the turn of the century version of Theosophy, founded by H.P. Blavatsky.
Q: What's the difference between mediums, psychics, and channels?
A: A medium specializes in communication with people who have died, as opposed to a channel who works with higher or more abstract sources -- usually teachers or guides from higher spiritual planes. A psychic can also be a medium or channel, but the term also refers to a person who uses their psychic skills to read the energy of a person to acquire knowledge, where a medium or channel is actually communicating with a spiritual being.
Q: I want to contact a medium or channel. Where do I go?
A: The following resources are available here.
Q: All of the historical info and books about Spiritualism are fascinating, but where can I find material that's more modern and applicable to my life?
A: Spiritualism and Theosophy laid the foundation for many modern new age ideas, so knowing the history of these doctrines is important. But for those who are ready to move forward, the following topics are suggested for further study: Channeling, Michael Teachings, Spiritual Growth.
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