Spiritualism

Religion and Philosophy of Spiritualism

Spiritualism is an officially recognized Religion, and Lighthouse Spiritual Centre posses a ministry recognized by the Canadian Government. Spiritualism has no fixed creed or dogma but the basis of membership at L.S.C. is a acceptance in these principles:

A Divine Source (recognized as God)

The Unity of All Life

The Communion With and Guidance from the Spirit World

The continuous Existence of the Soul

Personal Responsibility for every Thought, Word and Action

Reward and Consequence for All Deeds According to God's Natural Laws

Eternal Progress Open to Every Soul

These are principles, not commandments. Church services are conducted with reverence. An address is given on the philosophy of Spiritualism and usually followed by a demonstration of mediumship to prove the reality of survival. The main difference between Spiritualism and other religions is that Spiritualism is founded on the demonstrated proof that there is life after death and that there is a path of eternal progression for all mankind with an acceptance of responsibility for all one's own actions. We are all spirit here and now and part of a divine plan involving the whole Universe. Spiritualism teaches that we should live harmoniously doing unto others, as we would have others do to us. Spiritualism is a universal religion that recognizes such leaders as Buddha, Mohammed, Moses as well as Jesus. We consider them all as great healers and teachers.

Mediumship and Healing

   Spiritualist mediums are highly sensitive people who have developed their psychic awareness. They are able to communicate with those in the Spirit world that may still wish to communicate with us just as they would if they had moved to another part of the world.

   There are two forms of mediumship, mental and physical. The former is the type normally witnessed in the Spiritualist Church or public demonstration. The Spirit person works through the medium's mind and he or she is able to see Spirit forms (Clairvoyance) or hear Spirit sounds (Clairaudience). Physical mediumship includes materialisation or direct voice where Spirit presents themselves in visible form or speaks directly to those they wish to contact.

   Some mediums occasionally work in a trance or controlled state. This ranges from a simple passive condition to a deep unconscious one. The entranced medium is used by a Spirit to deliver an address or pass on certain ideas which are often far in advance of the medium's own knowledge.

   Spiritual mediumship in no way involves fortune telling. The work of a medium is to prove the reality of survival after so called death and to pass on practical help and understanding when needed. Spiritualism is concerned with the way we live here and now and the advice given should add meaning and a deeper sense of purpose to life.

   Spiritual healing is practised in our churches and centres. It can assist treatment given by doctors and can often successfully cure illness, which fails to respond to other forms of treatment. Spiritual healing is administered by laying on of hands - contact healing-and should not be confused with faith healing.

   Absent healing through thought and prayer can be offered to those who are unable to attend a healing session and often with remarkable results.

History and Pioneers

  Moderm Spiritualism began in March 1848 at Hydesville, New York, when the Fox family was disturbed by rappings and other phenomena. The young Fox sisters Catherine and Margaretta were able to establish a link of communication asking for' a specified number of raps in response to various questions.

   It was later found that the communicator was a Charles B. Rosna, a peddler who had been murdered by a previous occupant of the cottage in which the Fox sisters lived.

   From these humble beginnings the first public demonstrations of mediumship were held and Spiritualist Churches were formed throughout the United States, Great Britain, and Canada.

  Prominent figures that pioneered Spiritualism include, Andrew Jackson Davis, who foretold the coming of Modem Spiritualism. He later developed a Lyceum, which is the Spiritualist equivalent to Sunday School, to educate and train the young. Alfred Kitson who devoted himself to the establishment of Lyceums in Britain and was responsible together with a Mr. Kersey and Emma Hardinge Britten for the English Lyceum Manual.

   Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Sir William Crooks, Sir Oliver Lodge and Lord Dowding all played prominent parts in the promotion of Spiritualism together with gifted mediums including R. J. Lees, Florence Cook, D. D. Home and Mrs. Osborne Leonard and many others .

Types of Service

   There are several different types of Spiritualist services, the most common being: divine service, specials, open circles, and the healing service. The divine service is held on Sunday. We start off with a song and spiritual reading. The speaker and demonstrator will give a short talk usually on Spiritualist philosophy. After a second song it is time for the demonstration of mediumship. This is when the Medium will communicate with those in the Spirit world and relay the messages to someone in the audience. Spiritualist Healing is available after the service.

   The special service is very similar to the divine service also having a demonstration of mediumship.

   At a healing service there is usually a meditation before the healing service.

Need Help?

Being able to communicate with the Spirit world is not just for the gifted few. We believe it is the right of everyone. To this end we have made available our most valuable assets, our mediums, our knowledge and our experience. Members of the public can gain access to expertise through Lighthouse Spiritual Centre and other Spiritualist Churches.