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By Joseph P. Whitwell,
published in the N.S.A.C. Spiritualist
Manual
- By this we express our belief in a supreme
Impersonal Power, everywhere present, manifesting as life, through
all forms of organized matter, called by some, God; by others,
Spirit; and by Spiritualists, Infinite Intelligence. Though this power is impersonal, our understanding can only be gained by our personal perception of this creative force.
- In this manner we express our belief in
the immanence of Spirit and that all forms of life are manifestations
of Spirit or Infinite Intelligence, and thus, all men are
children of God.
- A correct understanding of the Laws of
Nature on the physical, mental and spiritual planes of life and
living in accordance therewith will unfold the highest aspirations
and attributes of the Soul, which is the correct function of true
religion.
- Life here and hereafter is all
one life whose continuity of consciousness is unbroken by that
mere change in form whose process we call death. –Lilian
Whiting.
- Spirit communication has been in evidence
in all ages of the world and is amply recorded in both sacred
and profane literature of all ages. Orthodoxy has accepted these
manifestations and has interpreted them as dogma and creed in terms
of the supernatural. Spiritualism accepts and recognizes these
manifestations and interprets them in the understanding and light
of Natural Law.
- This precept we believe to be true. It
points the way to harmony, peace and happiness. Wherever tried,
it has proven successful, and when fully understood and practiced,
will bring peace and happiness to all of humanity.
- Individuals are responsible for the welfare
of the world in which they live; for its welfare or its misery,
for its happiness or unhappiness, and if we are to obtain heaven
upon earth, we must learn to make that heaven, for ourselves and
for others. Individuals are responsible for their own spiritual
growth and welfare. Errors and wrong-doing must be outgrown and
overcome. Virtue and love of good must take their place. Spiritual
growth and advancement must be attained by aspiration and personal
striving. Vicarious atonement has no place in the philosophy of
Spiritualism. Individuals must bear their own burdens in overcoming wrong doings and replacing them with
right actions.
- We discard entirely the terrible wrong
and illogical teachings of eternal damnation and in place thereof,
we accept and present for consideration of thinking people, the
thought of the continuity of life beyond the change called death.
A natural life, where the opportunities for growth and progress
to better, higher and more spiritual conditions are open to all,
even as they are here on the earth plane of life. We accept no
such teaching as a Hell Fire, but we do teach that
transgression of Natural Law and wrong-doing will necessarily bring remorse and suffering
that would be difficult to describe in words and which can only
be relieved by the individuals own efforts, if not here, then
in the hereafter. If we make our own lives better while here, and
that of our neighbors happier, we shall unfold that happiness or
Heaven on Earth, which we shall carry with us into the Spirit
World.
- We thus affirm our belief in and acceptance
of the truth that
Prophecy, Mediumship and Healing are not unique, but are universal, everlasting, and have been witnessed
and observed in all ages.
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