United Metaphysical Churches

Intreresting version of the NSAC's Declaration of Principles here

http://psychicandthecity.blogspot.com/2009/12/announcing-united-metaphysical-chapel.html

I put this up to highlight how a new stream of Spiritualism seems to be occuring Metaphysical or if you like magical Spiritualism (remember that third stream of Spiritualism rejected by both Christian and Rational Spiritualists). Borrowing heavily from the traditions of the NSAC it adds in anything it feels should be included from the New Age.

Indeed it highlights one of Spiritualism's problems that to appear attractive and draw numbers many feel we have to move into this free for all metaphysical flow. Often including predictions for 2012, like its ascension predecessors, indigo childrene etc etc items are included which have no proven validity (indeed serious research will quickly show why they have little validity).

Sadly as a dinosaur I am not one of those who wish everything to be included I believe the simple principles of our movement are not added to by such embellishments. Once again truth, proof and discernment are called for.

This one looks like many of the "attractive" spin offs of the past and without a fair amount of research and review I would suggest we watch as it unfolds, especially as it faces the transition through the years 2010 to 2013, when much of the recent channellings have to be re translated as events do not match prophecy.

Jim, believe it or not, I have been receiving much along these lines for some time now and am hoping to try to cloth it in words that might convey some measure of understanding of our constantly changing times.
The great power of the Spirit has long since departed from Orthodox Christian thought, simply because theologians have closed it out, preferriing doctrines to simple trurth.
Spiritualism as it was - I'm speaking in UK terms - has now done the same, with platform appearance taking precedence over content and ability, peopled just like like Christianity, by time servers. The pure outlets for the Spirit are few, and the intense dissatisfaction that follows it is palpable.

New openings will appear and eventually close again as we grow in knowledge. The power of the Spirit is infinite in its possibilities and will always flow to where it is both needed and received.
Change is necessary, healthy and natural.

My problem with this movement which encompasses metaphysical and Christian elements revolves around the various elements mixed into a pot which includes the Theosophical aspects of ascended masters.

In many ways there is nothing new here Keith Milton Rhinehart attached many of these ideas into the organisation he founded in 1955 The Aquarian Foundation. Initially more of a Spiritualist organisation around the time he became regarded as one of the finest Physical Mediums (there is a lot about Rhinehart in the PM forum on here). It then stepped well beyond this to become a genuinely Metaphysical Christian organisation. Rhinehart also became a living ascended master who it was said had Christ's stigmata.

Reality is I see little new in the Metaphysical Organisations but a reshaping of earlier ideas which arose around the group of purported channelling Spirits responsible for most of the previous ascension events which never occured 2010-2012 looks very much like another repeat with the same "entities" responsible.

Hi Jim,
Thanks for this forum. It is much needed and appreciated. I am with the United Metaphysical Chapel of NYC. I think you are doing great work here, however I think we may need to make a few clarifications about this particular entry.
1. The Declaration of Principles which the NSAC adopted, were used by all Spiritualist at one time. They first adopted the Declaration of Principles at the Chicago, Illinois October, 1899 Convention then again at the Rochester, N.Y. Convention 1909 and at the Columbus, Ohio Convention.

2. We strive to train and develop our mediums to offer only evidential mediumistic displays and distance ourself from archetypal display work. Unfortunately that work has become so popular today in much of the new age movement, many Spiritualist churches and yes other metaphysical churches as well.

3. Being the title of this entry is the name of our denomination I think that it would be best to cite the specific metaphysical group you are referring to. I invite you to look at our national website at www.unitedmeta.com if you would like to understand who we are a little more.

Our churches are thriving as we see a growth in the number of people searching for answers that are not readily available in main stream religions. I know that we share the same mission I wish you the very best in your endeavors here and in your local community.

Regards
Paul

Hi Paul

Thanks and that is an interesting website, how many churches are there now? I am glad that your churches are so succesful and I agree with your comments about evidential mediumship demonstrations. Our attempts to improve this are like yours but stand to be overrun by the demand for purely psychic readings too.

You will find several articles about the various declaration of principles and there histories. We have in effect the ones set up at the Chicago meeting of Spiritualists where you will find on here an article on the first 1864 Principles, the NSAC Declaration of Principles, the SNU & Principles in the UK and those adopted by the Greater World Christian Spiritualist Association.

Interestingly there is a possible common factor between the Frirst Principles of 1864 created by The First Association of Spiritualists of Philadelphia and the later ones. This is partly in the presence of Cora Scott Richmond in both places and times as well as the use by Mercy Cadwallader of the constitution of that chuch to help frame the first constitution of the new National body. In eform here I have the detailed record of that entire first meeting that created the National body in the USA.

As you will have guessed one of the aims here is to try and establish an accurate record of our past on this site. I am a believer in this because it enables us to learn from lessons already faced but the facts must be accurate. The other facet is to encourage an understanding of the reality of Spirit communication and the need to develop evidential communication.

I wish you and your organisation the best wishes there is clearly common ground between us. Like Hiorta I know that we need to be ready to move forward and include anything new which has sufficient evidence to warrant its acceptance. I am also aware that the existing Spiritualist movement is not achieving what one may hope it could or should.

Jim

Jim, it would appear that the apparent failure of Spiritualism is not through any lack effort. In its heyday, Spiritualism provided answers and comfort amid war, death and oppression of the populace - compared with the situation today.
Needs have changed, while Truth has not, but the general focus is on having a good time and the elevation of the self. Mind has grown and the thinking of then is now obsolete - look at the demise of religion generally.
This is to be welcomed - evolution is the way forward.

Spiritualism focussed on particular types of Mediumship, while the thinkers were not valued as they could have been.

Hi Jim,
Thanks for the information and sorting through all of this pertinent information. Its important for generations to come to have an appreciation based on facts just like any other religious path.

NYC will be number 17 for us in the US.

I agree with Hiorta about the great effort made by all branches of Spiritualism or variations of. As we see generations unfold there is a seemingly very distinct pattern of successful existential questioning. Traditional sacred scriptures and dogmas do not satiate these questions entirely. I personally believe that the roadblock for most people questioning is and was the hell fire and brimstone indoctrination the Abrahamic Traditions. The idea that you would not prosper without drinking the cool-aid made a certain way ingrained Pure Fear. I think it is our duty, as holders of knowledge, to make sure that spiritualism and its variations spread like wildfire and are revived with the dignity they deserve.

As a Metaphysician Im very proud of the history of the work that the Fox Sisters, Andrew Jackson Davis and so many others did to pave the way for where we are now. Even if the fruit of their work is not in our churches as it was in the past, we can see it in the media ( good and bad), movies and all over the internet.

I know that the Mediumship was and still is the thrill and excitement that draws some to our movement. The science and philosophy that explains mediumship has been swept under the carpet at times, leaving us with a bad reputation when there are indepth questions about it.