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
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
- 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
- Séances
- Mediumship demonstrations
- Healing services
- Sunday church services in Spiritualist churches
- Study of spirit communication and ethics
Places of worship
- Spiritualist churches
- Homes
- Camp meetings
- Séance rooms
Sacred texts
- Spiritualist writings and hymns
- Mediumistic communications
- Association manuals
- Historical séance literature
Holidays and observances
- Hydesville commemorations in some communities
- Church anniversaries
- Memorial and healing services
Branches and related traditions
- 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
References
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