Spiritualism just grew unfashionable, like the aspidistra

Damned with faint praise not discredited just unfashionable. However, how can we cope with a world of the fifth dimension, angels, archangels, ascended masters, Kryon Channellers etc etc without looking dowdy. Then if we toss it all in the simple truth of Spiritualism is lost in a mass of dross.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/9295172/Reincarnation-Surely-weve-been-here-before.html

Before any informed discussion of reincarnation can take place, the 'I' has to be identified: 'who, what, am I?'

In any case, it's now the silly season, what passes for football has ceased and internet pressure on the printed media increases daily. I'd suggest this is desperate attention seeking using any topic that be screwed for cash in the interim.

Fashions have a way of returning.

But Mr. Howse makes some good points. Ours is an eclectic age of spirit. A little Buddhism, a little Jesus, a few ascended masters, some crystals, some angels, some incense. A spiritual stew, with whatever ingredients are in the news this week. There's a burger-and-beer joint a few blocks from my house called Buddha's Belly.

Try to compete with all this? I say, instead stay true to our roots.

Try to compete with all this? I say, instead stay true to our roots.

Totally agree with you Jim, the more you accomodate teh new ideas the less of any value that will be left. Until you end up with an eclectic mix with no realistic philosophy or genuine proof of survival just psychism/tarot and fortune telling.

We do not have to seek great numbers to maintain Spiritualism we just need to present it well and maintain standards both in talks and survival mediumship. People love hearing some of teh fortune telling type psychic messages (they may even be better than bad attempts at evidential mediumship). However, my expereience si that when the attendees hear a startling genuine proof of survival message its the Wow moment.

Its too easy to cave in, becoming progressive and just allowing anything to be included to get people in. No good to say you get them in and then teach them if you have no decent education programme. What tends to happen is they become members taking a Spiritualist Church to a spiritual centre.

Jim

Admin wrote:

Try to compete with all this? I say, instead stay true to our roots.

We do not have to seek great numbers to maintain Spiritualism we just need to present it well and maintain standards both in talks and survival mediumship.

Jim

A perfect summation, Jim!

I still think maybe there's a bit of a revival of interest at the moment. At least in the UK. More spiritually oriented books are being published and overall seem to be selling quite well. There's seldom a week passes without some healing or Spiritualist type story in the papers. Usually you only get a blip round Halloween but this past twelve months or so there does seem to be more about. We've started an additional evening meeting to meet demand. I don't think we could ever be accused of being fashionable but more folks do seem to be taking an interest.