The Conditionalist Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 2

III. Parapsychology Concerned With “Life After Death”

Before turning to healing and hypnotism, let us note a remarkably candid article by Dr. J. B. Rhine. This appeared in The American Weekly for December 8, 1957, a syndicated weekly newspaper magazine appearing simultaneously in some thirty metropolitan newspapers strategically scattered over the United States of America, with a combined weekly circulation of more than eight million. It therefore had a large reading. This revealing article is titled “Survival-Science Looks at Life After Death.” Dr. Rhine, with his “scientist wife,” Dr. Louisa E. Rhine, had, when this article appeared in 1957, engaged in experimental research in “extrasensory perception (ESP)” for about thirty-five years, beginning his inquiries back in the late twenties. ¹⁴ CFF2 1130.1

1. INDICATIONS OF MAN’S “LIVING SPIRIT.”

Dr. Rhine frankly states that his article was not written either for those who already firmly believe in “some sort of hereafter” or for those who believe that “no manner of life after death is possible,” but rather for the “large in-between group” who are not “satisfied either way.” The question is “Has Science found any reliable evidence of postmortem survival?” That is the crux. Rhine’s scope of investigation is described as follows: CFF2 1130.2

“Researches in extrasensory perception (ESP) which include telepathy (thought transference from one mind to another), clairvoyance (the ability to receive information from objects rather than people), and precognition (knowledge of the future). We also have investigated what is popularly called the influence of ‘mind over matter’ and technically referred to as psychokinesis or PK.” ¹⁵ CFF2 1130.3

That, of course, enters the claimed area of Spiritualism. CFF2 1130.4

The experiments have all been designed to “investigate indications that man is not just a physical body, a machine, as many modern scientists contend, but that he has powers which, in a limited way, operate beyond the reach of his senses and muscles.” ¹⁶ CFF2 1130.5

Dr. Rhine then states at the outset that “these studies have been encouragingly successful and indicate the presence of an extraphysical or spiritual power in what might be called man’s living spirit.” ¹⁷ CFF2 1131.1

2. TESTING “DISCARNATE SPIRIT PERSONALITIES.”

He then states frankly that “the principal aim was to test the world-wide belief in the realm of discarnate spirit personalities.” And he observes: CFF2 1131.2

“If that claim could be validated, we believed, it would bring with it extremely important knowledge of the nature of the living human being. Here would be dramatic proof of spiritual realities in everyday life that Science had failed so far to find. The machine theory would be wrecked once and for all.” ¹⁸ CFF2 1131.3

Such is Rhine’s candid statement of purpose. CFF2 1131.4

3. MEDIUMSHIP REACHES PEAK, THEN DECLINES

Referring to the many attempts to “prove contact with the world beyond,” Rhine states:
“It was about the middle of the last century that men turned their investigations to the claims and practices of mediumship and a new religion known as Spiritualism developed. It flourished for 75 years and was still strong in the ‘20s when we began our researches, though it has gone through a sharp decline since then.” ¹⁹ CFF2 1131.5

And near the close of the article he adds:
“When we began our inquiries in the early ‘20s there were many great names in Europe and in America associated with a frank and active interest in the evidence of mediumship. All that has changed. The movement toward oblivion has gone far since the first quarter of the century.” ²⁰ CFF2 1131.6

4. TESTING VALIDITY OF “SPIRIT” CLAIMS

Detailing laboratory experiments, beginning in 1934 with British medium Mrs. Eileen J. Garrett, and her “control,” Uvani, Rhine tells of how they “made every effort to keep these scientific seances proof against error.” ²¹ The procedure was repeated with twenty other persons, checking with a mathematically devised “scoring system.” Then Rhine adds: “The big question, of course, was whether or not the information came from the spirit world.” ²² The very real problem was this: CFF2 1131.7

“In order to prove that a medium’s messages came from spirit personalities we would have to be able to prove that there was no other possible way in which she could get the information. In other words, it would have to be proved that the medium’s messages were due to telepathy from the dead instead of from the living. But, in scientific investigation, so long as the investigator is able to take either one of two choices, nothing can be declared proved.” ²³ CFF2 1132.1

5. QUEST FOR PROOF NOT YET CONCLUSIVE

Rhine frankly asserts that “the very notion of mediumship had a fatal logical flaw at the start—one to which the eagerness for proof blinded us all in the earlier investigations.” ²⁴ Turning then to apparitions, and “visions and voices” purporting to come from “discarnate persons,” he cites various episodes, some simple and some complicated. Of these he says, “There are some instances that do look very much like spirit intervention” —the operation of a “discarnate spirit.” Dr. Rhine then records this cautious statement: CFF2 1132.2

“Based on our present findings, we at the Parapsychology Laboratory do not feel that it is safe to conclude that, because one’s loved ones [seemingly] appeared and even gave useful warnings, they were indeed the surviving spirits they seemed to be. The most that can be said is that the spirit interpretation is in some cases apparently the more plausible one.” ²⁵ CFF2 1132.3

He then frankly confesses:
“If I am correct, the scientific investigation of the survival question has, after all these years, reached a critical point. We have at present no properly decisive test. We may need a whole new approach to find one.” ²⁶ CFF2 1132.4

Stating that they must “dismiss some old methods” of solving the problem, he continues:
“The survival hypothesis itself is still before us. It has not been disproved. It has merely been shown that the evidence for it can be interpreted in another and equally tenable way. In my opinion we have reached what might be called the point of desperate timeliness. Our investigations need to be pushed to the point of exhaustive study.” ²⁷ CFF2 1132.5

6. “BURDEN OF PROOF” RESTS WITH “SPIRITS.”

Dr. Rhine closes with the wistful declaration that not only must they redouble their efforts to solve the question, but:
“Is it not equally important, too, for those who believe they are in touch with a cooperating world of spirit agency to elicit for the research every possible aid from that world which can be obtained? CFF2 1133.1

“In a word, if there are spirits, isn’t there something more convincing they can do? Does not some of the burden of proof rest on their side of the operation?” ²⁸ CFF2 1133.2

Stressing the necessity of “combining all forces in trying to solve this problem to the satisfaction of Science,” because of the waning interest in the past thirty-six years, Rhine makes this pointed observation concerning the “personality of man“: CFF2 1133.3

“The concept of an indivisible mind-body unity has almost, if not quite completely, been substituted for the older picture of a separable spirit that could do at least something in its own right, even with its body returned to the soil of the earth.” ²⁹ CFF2 1133.4

7. SOME FRESH “BREAK-THROUGH” STILL NEEDED

Declaring that “some fresh break-through is needed,” Dr. Rhine states:
“Proof of survival would squelch forever the dreadful error of the materialistic view of man on which Communism and other gross misconceptions about humanity rest. On the other hand, certainty about it could revitalize religion itself and give to all human life a new dimension.” ³⁰ CFF2 1133.5

This last suggestion is significant and appealing. He is still looking for some “fascinating discovery ahead” that will “revitalize religion.” If that can be accomplished Spiritualism’s battle will be won. CFF2 1133.6

We next turn to healing, mesmerism, and hypnotism. CFF2 1133.7