SPIRITUALIST TEACHINGS
Spiritualist philosophy is very simple and based on seven inter-connected principles given to us from the world of spirit by one of the pioneers of this movement, Emma Hardinge Britten.
The study and application of a spiritual philosophy is a key to establishing a Spiritualist way of life and within the membership of the SNU it is introduced through the 7 Principles of Spiritualism.
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Though the SNU chooses to set down the principles behind Spiritualism for its members, they are not intended to be binding rules or the basis of a dogma but to provide each individual, particularly those who are new to Spiritualism, a foundation for developing a personal philosophy.
The Seven Principles are:
The Fatherhood of God.
The Brotherhood of Man.
The Communion of Spirits and the Ministry of Angels.
The Continuous Existence of the Human Soul.
Personal Responsibility.
Compensation and Retribution Hereafter for all the Good and Evil Deeds done on Earth.
Eternal Progress Open to every Human Soul
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The origins and concept of the Seven Principles came through Emma's mediumship. Guidance received from the Spirit World by Emma inspired her to utilise teachings given by the eminent philanthropist, Robert Owen, to provide a basis of suitable guideline/principles to follow in our daily lives. The Principles are equally important to assist us on our Spiritual pathway. The original Principles were later adapted to suit the newly formed Spiritualists’ National Union becoming the Seven Principles of Spiritualism in the format that we are familiar with today..
Modern science has brought man to understand that matter cannot be destroyed, it can only change form. Spiritualists believe that life-forms, having been created by God, cannot be extinguished by death. The life energy manifested through the physical form is only changed, not terminated, at the end of physical existence. Because of this Spiritualists believe that communication from the spirit world to the physical world is possible.
It is through personal interpretation and understanding of any spiritual philosophy and how it is expressed by living it that shapes the individual spiritually and guides their decisions in how they chose to interact with everyone and everything of the material and non-material worlds.
Spiritualism helps to provide a personal philosophy for every Spiritualist, each continuously progressing and growing in their understanding and interpretation resulting in the consideration of many diverse views. However, in essence the underpinning ideas come from the same source of universal understanding, and within the SNU it is based on the 7 Principles of Spiritualism.
It is the acceptance of this diversity that makes Spiritualism free from creed or dogma as a religious philosophy. Though the SNU chooses to set down the principles behind SNU Spiritualism, they are not seen as binding they are just a foundation for that journey of understanding.
It is by applying personal philosophy in all compartments of day to day living and by progressing and learning through life’s experiences that Spiritualism becomes a living personal philosophy.