whither - wither? - Modern Spiritualism

mac wrote:Recent conversations revolving around the role of the union for Spiritualists has found me questioning whether I see the movement having any importance or significance in today's world.  And whether it has any real future given the way things are in the movement right now, autumn 2024, following a torrid summer of upset, unrest and acrimony in the Union.

In case anyone questions my position, I AM a Spiritualist and I have been one for 40 years, small beer I concede compared with many other individuals.  I expect I will die a Spiritualist but who knows where the future will lead?  For some time now, though, I've been questioning in my mind and also out loud what being a Spiritualist means in practice.  For example one might first ask if I am even "spiritual", whatever that means!  I do know that I see just about everything in life through a filter created by what I've learned during my spiritual journey thus far.

But what of Modern Spiritualism itself, the organisation, movement, religion, philosophy, science or whatever??  My feelings are crystal-clear about certain aspects:  I don't do church, I won't do Divine Service and I find prayer and requests for scatter-gun spirit healing formulaic and pointless.  I'm not comfortable with a fair-few of the so-called Seven Principles although I do get why they will have to remain in place.  Yet I am no less a Spiritualist for all that - whatever anyone else may feel.    

In respect of what I asked in this thread's title, though, I do question where Modern Spiritualism is in 2024 and where it will be in the next few years.  And does it even have a future?

It will drag on but you have outgrown it. I have refused to even call myself a Spiritualist for at least 20 years. No disrespect to the title but the only word that ends in “ist” that I can own to is realist. That does not mean I am not engaged with Spirit. I am probably more aware of Spirit in Everything now than I used to be.

I have found some great things and some appalling things in recent events.

Admin wrote:I have found some great things and some appalling things in recent events.

I haven't found anything to warm my heart in recent events I'm afraid except for the fact that people are questioning more and learning to value and trust their own reaction to behaviours.

I have often been shocked by what was said in the past few months, shocked to the degree I withdrew rather than be associated at all with some remarks. I don't recall anything uplifting.

Just maybe, though, it will lead to individuals thinking for themselves rather than toeing the line although I'm not especially optimistic about that.

Maybe I have outgrown some of it.....  

As for being an "...ist" I've tended recently to refer to myself as a Modern Spiritualist in an attempt to distance myself from the vague, nebulous word 'spiritualist'.  

In my early times, when I was engaged in learning as much as I could, I stopped saying I was a 'Spiritualist' (as in Modern Spiritualism) because I felt it "put me in a box" and because I felt I was rather more than only that.  Also - even very early on - because I was uncomfortable about the things I've mentioned above.  But after a short time I realised there wasn't a more suitable descriptor and much of the teaching and guidance found around Spiritualist teaching actually DID feel comfortable.  

So unlike janhar I stopped calling myself "a Spiritualist" early on only to return to describing myself that way again quite shortly after.

Yes I can see the sense of that. I have to confess it is wearing when people call me a Spiritualist and I then have to say “well no actually I am not” followed by trying to explain that a medium or person who goes to Spiritualists meetings  does not mean they belong to the religion of Spiritualism etc etc …and as their eyes glaze over I say in my head “oh just beam me up Scottie get me out of here”. I am bored hearing myself say it all so now hope people will not bring the subject up. I still cannot do it though…..I cannot have a label.

I have no concerns about being labelled a Spiritualist but I often say that's not the only thing I am.

 In past times I've been asked to define what a Spiritualist is but I replied that definitions are for dictionaries and definitions reflect the way words are used, something that may change over time.  But I've heard others say they don't like being labelled and I totally respect that's how they feel.

I think it's understandable though that folk would assume those who regularly visit a Spiritualist church likely are Spiritualists.  By contrast I suppose I would grow bored of explaining that even though I don't do church (and all the rest) I am nonetheless a Spiritualist.  Maybe church-going, hymn-singing, love-and-lighting, Divine Service attenders wouldn't see me as a Spiritualist though - I don't know what label I would attract! LOL

You could call yourself Spiritual Philosophiser and afterlife investigator? Now there’s a conversation starter (or stopper).
I think I will stick to “no religion”.

….I do not do church either.

Oh I try not to tell anyone that I'm anything most times and your descriptors are way ott for me.    

I expect I'll just have to accept being called a spiritualist rather than a Modern Spiritualist and you'll just have to put up with folk thinking you're a Spiritualist 'cos you sometimes go to a Spiritualist location.  I don't suppose either of us will really be much affected whatever we're called.  

Very true.

Mac I have tried to reply to your message and it is saying you do not wish to receive messages. Will send you a FB friend request so you can use FB messenger if you prefer. (If I can find your profile I spotted it the other day on someone else's page).