Spiritualism
| Spiritualism | |
|---|---|
| Family | Modern spiritual movement |
| Origin region | United States and Europe |
| Founding period | 19th century CE |
| Estimated adherents | Unknown; Spiritualist churches and associations continue in several countries. |
Spiritualism is a modern religious movement based on the belief that the dead survive and can communicate with the living, often through mediums.
Overview
[edit | edit source]Spiritualism began in the 19th century in America and Europe. Britannica describes it as a movement based on the belief that departed souls can interact with the living, usually through mediums.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Key beliefs
[edit | edit source]- Human personality survives bodily death
- The living can communicate with spirits through mediums
- The afterlife is often understood as a realm of continued moral and spiritual progress
- Spiritual truth may be confirmed through experience rather than creed
- Many Spiritualists combine religious worship with mediumship
Practices
[edit | edit source]- Séances
- Mediumship demonstrations
- Healing services
- Sunday church services in Spiritualist churches
- Study of spirit communication and ethics
Places of worship
[edit | edit source]- Spiritualist churches
- Homes
- Camp meetings
- Séance rooms
Sacred texts
[edit | edit source]- Spiritualist writings and hymns
- Mediumistic communications
- Association manuals
- Historical séance literature
Holidays and observances
[edit | edit source]- Hydesville commemorations in some communities
- Church anniversaries
- Memorial and healing services
Branches and related traditions
[edit | edit source]- Spiritism - A related Kardecist movement with stronger codified doctrine.
- New Age spirituality - Many New Age currents draw from Spiritualist themes.
- Western esotericism - Spiritualism overlaps with modern esoteric movements.
See also
[edit | edit source]References
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