The Conditionalist Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 2

V. “Definitions” of Spiritualism as “Science, Philosophy and Religion”

A series of “Definitions,” adopted by the National Spiritualist Association in 1914, and reaffirmed in 1919 and 1930, stresses the alleged threefold nature of Spiritualism. These definitions are likewise essential to an accurate understanding of their viewpoint and claims, so they are here given verbatim:
“Spiritualism is the Science, Philosophy and Religion of continuous life, based upon the demonstrated fact of communication, by means of mediumship with those who live in the Spirit World. CFF2 1062.4

“2. A Spiritualist is one who believes, as the basis of his or her religion, in the communication between this and the spirit world by means of mediumship, and who endeavors to mould his or her character and conduct in accordance with the highest teachings derived from such communication. CFF2 1062.5

“3. A Medium is one whose organism is sensitive to vibrations from the spirit world and through whose instrumentality intelligences in that world are able to convey messages and produce the phenomena of Spiritualism. ²⁴ CFF2 1063.1

“4. A Spiritualist Healer is one who, either through his own inherent powers, or through his mediumship is able to impart vital, curative force to pathologic conditions.” ²⁵ CFF2 1063.2

“‘Spiritualism Is a Science’ because it investigates, analyzes and classifies facts and manifestations demonstrated from the spirit side of life. CFF2 1063.3

“‘Spiritualism Is a Philosophy’ because it studies the laws of nature both on the seen and unseen sides of life and bases its conclusions upon present observed facts. It accepts statements of observed facts of past ages and conclusions drawn therefrom, when sustained by reason and by results of observed facts of the present day. CFF2 1063.4

“‘Spiritualism Is a Religion’ because it strives to understand and to comply with the Physical, Mental and Spiritual Laws of Nature, ‘which are the laws of God.’” ²⁶ CFF2 1063.5

These, in combination, outline the scope and essence of Spiritualism. CFF2 1063.6