Membership
The Objects of Spiritualism
And Some Reasons I Decided to be a Member
of The National Spiritualist Association of Churches
Most people drawn to the religion of Spiritualism are not the type of people who will join an organization at the drop of a hat.
We are usually independent thinkers – not the type of people who will blindly follow others.
We tend to ask questions, do research, contemplate information from various people and sources and make our own decisions based upon the facts we have compiled.
Most people who enter a Spiritualist church are skeptical of organizations and especially of organized religions.
Those who founded the National Spiritualist Association of Churches (NSAC) were very much like us. Men and women who were, for the most part, known as “Free Thinkers” – unsatisfied with the teachings of orthodox religions, questioning those teachings and looking for answers to their questions – answers that made sense.
These men and women were from all different types of backgrounds, educational levels and religions. From those who had little or no schooling to the notable orators, professors, ministers, philosophers, physicians and scientists of that day, they were drawn to the spirit communication and physical phenomena that were taking place across the United States and in other countries.
Believers and skeptics, genuine and fraudulent mediums and phenomena: there was a general hodgepodge of information, beliefs and rumors throughout society about this new movement of Spiritualism.
There had been attempts to organize in the 1860’s that failed, but by the late 1800’s it was apparent that an organization was needed to bring order and understanding to the movement.
There was a need to state and record the beliefs of those who were, by then, known as Spiritualists.
There was a need to study, classify and categorize the phenomena; to encourage followers of this movement to live upright, honest lives; and to protect the mediums of that time.
And so, the first convention of our organization took place in Chicago, Illinois, the 27th, 28th, and 29th of September 1893 and the National Spiritualist Association was formed.
I’d like to share with you the OBJECTS OF SPIRITUALISM, some of my thoughts about these objects and why they helped me decide to become a member of an organization – the National Spiritualist Association of Churches.
OBJECTS (OF THE ORGANIZED MOVEMENT OF SPIRITUALISM)
The object of the organized movement of Spiritualism as represented by the National Spiritualist Association of Churches may be stated in part as follows:
To teach the truths and principles expressed in the Declaration of Principles and in the Definitions of:
SPIRITUALISM
A SPIRITUALIST
A MEDIUM and
A SPIRITUALIST HEALER
as adopted by the National Spiritualist Association of Churches of the United States of America,
To teach and proclaim the science, philosophy and religion of modern Spiritualism,
To encourage lectures on all subjects pertaining to the spiritual and secular welfare of mankind.
To protest against every attempt to compel mankind to worship God in any particular or prescribed manner.
To advocate and promote spiritual healing (and)
To protect and encourage spiritual teachers and mediums in all laudable efforts in giving evidence or proof to mankind of a continued intercourse (communication) and relationship between the living and the so-called dead.
To encourage every person in holding present beliefs always open to re-statement as growing thought and investigation reveal new truth,
thereby leaving every individual free to follow the dictates of reason and conscience in spiritual as in secular affairs.
To teach the truths and principles expressed in the Declaration of Principals (and in the Definitions of “Spiritualism,” “A Spiritualist,” “A Medium,” and “A Spiritualist Healer”):
- We Believe in Infinite Intelligence.
- We believe that the phenomena of Nature, both physical and spiritual, are the expression of Infinite Intelligence.
- We affirm that a correct understanding of such expression and living in accordance therewith, constitute true religion.
- We affirm that the existence and personal identity of the individual continue after the change called death.
- We affirm that communication with the so-called dead is a fact, scientifically proven by the phenomena of Spiritualism.
- We believe that the highest morality is contained in the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
- We affirm the moral responsibility of individuals and that we make our own happiness or unhappiness as we obey or disobey Nature’s physical and spiritual laws.
- We affirm that the doorway to reformation is never closed against any soul here or hereafter.
- We affirm that the precepts of Prophecy and Healing are Divine attributes proven through Mediumship.
The very first time I read the above principles, I realized I agreed with each one, and – they resonated with my inner-most beliefs.
To teach the truths and principles expressed in (the Declaration of Principles and in) the Definitions of “Spiritualism,” “A Spiritualist,” “A Medium,” and “A Spiritualist Healer:”
SPIRITUALISM: Spiritualism is the Science, Philosophy, and Religion of continuous life, based upon the demonstrated fact of communication, by means of mediumship, with those who live in the Spirit World.
A SPIRITUALIST: A Spiritualist is one who believes, as the basis of his or her religion, in the communication between this and the spirit world by means of mediumship and who endeavors to mould his or her character and conduct in accordance with the highest teachings derived from such communication.
A MEDIUM: A Medium is one whose organism is sensitive to vibrations from the spirit world and through whose instrumentality, intelligences in that world are able to convey messages and produce the phenomena of Spiritualism.
A SPIRITUALIST HEALER: A Spiritualist healer is one who, either through his own inherent powers or through his mediumship, is able to impart vital curative force to pathologic conditions.
What better place than a Spiritualist church or camp to learn about and teach the truths and principles expressed in these principles and definitions? What better place to find others of like-mind to talk to? What better place than a Spiritualist church, camp or home circle to learn, progress, participate and develop one’s mediumship and sensitivity to spirit?
To Teach and Proclaim the Science, Philosophy, and Religion of modern Spiritualism:
To Teach and Proclaim: gives us the opportunity to share with others that which has made such a difference in our lives.
The Science: Spiritualism is a Science because it investigates, analyzes, and classifies facts and manifestations demonstrated from the spirit side of life.
Philosophy: Spiritualism is a Philosophy because it studies the laws of nature both on the seen and unseen sides of life and bases its conclusions upon present observed facts. It accepts statements of observed facts of past ages and conclusions drawn therefrom, when sustained by reason and by results of observed facts of the present day.
And Religion: Spiritualism is a Religion because it strives to understand and to comply with the Physical, Mental, and Spiritual Laws of Nature, which are the laws of God.
To encourage lectures on all subjects pertaining to the spiritual and secular welfare of mankind:
NSAC churches, camps and home circles provide the platforms to present sermons and lectures to our members and to the general public – and to demonstrate the truth of spirit communication and mediumship during the healing and message portion of the services.
They also provide adult and children’s lyceums where the history, philosophy, science and religion of Spiritualism can be discussed; ideas exchanged and dissected; and individuals encouraged to reach their own conclusions.
Ongoing church and camp classes, workshops and home circles offer a relaxed atmosphere and extended time periods for meditation, mediumship development and the study of Spiritualism and related subjects (spiritual and secular) for the personal growth and understanding of all who want to attend.
To protest against every attempt to compel mankind to worship God in any particular or prescribed manner:
Spiritualism recognizes and, more importantly, respects all religions and all spiritual groups.
To advocate and promote spiritual healing (and)
Spiritualists strongly believe in spiritual healing and recognize that all healing originates with Infinite Intelligence. As a part of every worship service we include a healing service – healing for ourselves, for all humankind, and for all creation. Healing of body, soul, mind, emotions and spirit. Healing for our affairs, relationships, world situations – and don’t forget our pets.
To protect and encourage spiritual teachers and mediums in all laudable efforts in giving evidence or proof to mankind of a continued intercourse (communication) and relationship between the living and the so-called dead.
Notice this says ‘to protect and encourage spiritual teachers and mediums’ in all laudable efforts in giving evidence or proof of the continuity of life. The NSAC is a religion that is officially recognized by the Congress of the United States and, as such, we have the protection given to those who are certified by NSAC (Ordained Ministers, Licentiate Ministers, National Spiritualist Teachers, Certified Mediums and Commissioned Healers) and who are teaching and practicing mediumship as part of their religion.
To encourage every person in holding present beliefs always open to re-statement as growing thought and investigation reveal new truth, :
Spiritualism is an evolving religion. We are not limited to the spiritual understanding that we have this day but are free to investigate, question, analyze, and document truths not previously understood. We are free to re-form our By-Laws, our Declaration of Principles, our Definitions, or any other part of the philosophy and religion. This particular object can be experienced at every NSAC yearly convention when delegates are able to bring new ideas or changes to the floor for discussion and resolution. It can be seen in the pamphlet “Social Statements” that reiterates our belief in personal responsibility and personal understanding.
Spiritualism teaches that we, and our religion, are always developing and evolving as shown by this “object” of Spiritualism.
thereby leaving every individual free to follow the dictates of reason and conscience in spiritual as in secular affairs:
Personal responsibility, freedom to question, to investigate, to think, to draw one’s own conclusions, to know that one is accountable for every thought, action, and deed, freedom to follow one’s own dictate of reason and conscience in spiritual and secular affairs.
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These are not only the teachings and objects of Spiritualism, but they are also some of the reasons many of us are a part of this organized religion of Spiritualism.
We invite you to become a member of the National Spiritualist Association of Churches (NSAC) – and experience the history, science, philosophy and religion of Spiritualism.
Reverend Carol A. Brown, NST – Feb 23, 2009
712 Big Bethel Road Hampton, VA 23666-2802
Phone: 757-826-9652
Email: CLBrown1@gmail.comembershi[