General Chat

Paul, Spiritualists might think of themselves as 'Christian' but most 'Christians' do not think of spiritualists as 'christians' its a contradiction to say they are,In my opinion, their beliefs are not 'christian', but In saying that I dont like organised Religion at all. I have my faith, I believe In god, But I dont need to go to 'building' to affirm my beliefs,each to their own!!

Researchers at Freiberg University, one of Germany’s oldest and most respected academic institutions, in June 2004 published a paper in the British Journal of Psychology suggesting that humans do have paranormal powers. What they investigated was “distant intentionality” a term devised to mean detecting the presence of another, hidden person without the use of the normal senses and/or affecting another mind over any distance by means of “a subtle energy field”. Investigations are being made in Holland, Britain and Canada into “Near Death Experience”. Studies in Holland, particularly by Dr P. Van Lommel of Rijnstate Hospital, whose team have interviewed hundreds of patients (in 10 hospitals across the country), who were resuscitated after being clinically dead, reached conclusions that “pushed at the limit of medical ideas about the range of human consciousness and the mind/brain relationship”. Christopher French of the Anomalistic Psychology Research Unit of Goldsmith College in London stated “if researchers could prove that clinically dead patients with no electrical activity in their cortex can be aware of what went on round them and form memories, this would suggest that the brain does not generate consciousness”. The late Robert Jahn, for 25 years Professor Emeritus of Princeton University, has done much research and repeatable experiments indicating than the human mind is able to insert information into computers and to some degree affect random information generators that makes the information “not quite so random” So own up - whose been nobbling ERNIE ?

There are obviously many of you who know nothing about The Spiritualist church. I know many of you will stick to your opinions no matter what but I feel I have to tell you this much. Whether the church acknowledges the leadership of Christ or not they all follow the seven principles. 1---The Fatherhood of God 2---The Brotherhood of Man 3---The Communion of Spirits & The Ministry of Angels ------sounds a bit like the Holy Trinity to me---------- 4---The Continuous Existence of The Human Soul 5---Personal Responsibility 6---Compensation & Retribution Hereafter For All Good & Evil Deeds done on Earth 7---Eternal Progress Open to Every Human Soul The only difference I can see is that the Christian church today wants us to go to sleep forever instead of leading perfectly good lives on another plain. Much as I like my bed, I can think of nothing more boring. I do hope you people get a lovely surprise when you pass through & meet all your loved ones Vivienne

I'm confused also. I know that not all Christians are Spiritualists, but I know that you can get Spiritualist Christians, as was this group I attended. I assume most Christians aren't Spiritualists, but I'm positive that you can get Spiritualist Christians, afterall, couldn't it be another Christian path? A bit like Catholic, Orthodox, CoE, etc etc. Did a bit of Christianity at School, along with Hinduism. The group I attnded was definatly a Christian Spiritualist Church, as they even passed out leaflets at the end, explaining their next meeting etc, headed 'King's Lynn, CoE (Or was it Methodest? Cant remember) Spiritulist Church'

Thanks for explaining, Vivienne! I don't believe in the afterlife but would have no problem being proved wrong, when my time comes. In answer to the question posed, no, I don't feel uncomfortable talking about religion, I find it a very interesting subject, even as a non-believer.

Why do Christians say Spiritualists are ot christians? Because the christian faith is based on the Bible, which we believe is the Word of God, and that says:---- Dueteronomy 18 10 'There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, 11 'or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. 12 'For all who do these things are an abomination to the LORD, and because of these abominations the LORD your God drives them out from before you. 13 'You shall be blameless before the LORD your God. David

Hi Sheila, As I always tell people if I am wrong, when my time comes, I wont know anything about it, BUT, if I am right you are going to get a lovely surprise. Vivienne

Well thats weird David, because there was definatly prayers said, a talk about God and the Christian faith, mediumship, and a leaflet! So it definatly was a Chritian Spiritualist Church. A lot of things are said in the Bible which different paths don't follow. Maybe what you've written is one things the spiritualists path doesn't follow. Afterall, i've heard of Christian Witches before.

Mandy - Spiritulism is often involved in Witchcraft and Paganism.

oh yeah Mandy, I agree with that. A lot of religions have spiritulist beliefs in them.

Hi David, This part of the bible is always being quoted but in my opinion it is one that shows that the bible was written by men more than any other. There is no way anyone can call up the dead as there are no dead. What a medium does is open the communication lines so that those who have gone before can communicate with us. As I said on an earlier post the man Jesus was one heck of a medium. He raised the dead, thats enough to send him to eternal damnation according to the passage you quote, he turned water into wine, what do the temperance people say about that? He made five loaves & two fishes feed five thousand people, wow. He told us that in My Fathers House are Many Mansions, whats the point if nobody is going to live in them. In my early teens I was a born again Christian so I think I know what I'm talking about & I have never been so certain of anything in my life, than that when my time comes the people I love & who love me will be waiting for me. Vivienne

Paul, Anyone can call themselves 'Christian'. Many who do call themselves that, even some bishops, deny practically every truth of the Word of God. David

Bendy, well I went to a Christian Spiritualist Church! How do you explain that? As I said before, there are many different forms of Christianity, where some follow some things in the bible, and other s don't. Doesn't it say in the Bible something against Devorce? But the CoE allows it. Afterall, thats one of the reasons the CoE started isn't it?

Vivienne Jesus was not a medium, but what he claimed to be, the Creator, manifest in Human Flesh. He said, Before Abraham was... I AM. David

Wendy & Dave it's because of opinions like yours that I say I am proud not to be a Christian anymore but I have some very good Christian friends [one of them a Methodist minister ] who are happy to accept my beliefs, whilst not willing to believe themselves. Vivienne

I don't feel uncomfortable discussing religion at all. I don't share a lot of beliefs with most religions but I'm fascinated by them. I respect all people with deeply held beliefs - I've been to weddings etc in almost all denominations of Christian churches, in a synagogue, in a Sikh Temple, a Mosque and a Hindu temple. I've also been at a Wicca handfasting. I think whatever you believe is up to you but I have a problem when religions try to interfere in secular law and alter the law of the land to suit their specific beliefs. Fortunately in our democracy this doesn't happen often, unlike other places. eg the USA and the Middle East. Gwynne

You cant generalise christians into a group like that. Maybe most Christians aren't yes, thats probably right, but some obviously are! Its the same as saying ALL hindu's are Veggie, and ALL Budhists wear Orange Robes! No I wasn't in a parralel universe, and No they hadn't mislabled themselves. They were praying, singing christian hymms and everything else. Although they did annoy me a bit with the tutting, I respect them because they are 100% sure of their faith. I think its wrong to say they aren't Christians.

I often feel uncomfortable about discussing religion - as an atheist many of the people I know aren't and often give me a hard time! I'm not sure quoting the bible to support your views is such a good idea, as it is full of contradictions and different interpretations! (have read it tho') Cheers Kaz

I'm quite happy discussing religion and feel very comfortable with my own beliefs (if not always with the actions of members of my church) but I have no wish to convert anyone - I respect other religions as much as mine because from my understanding they all have the same ultimate intentions. Personally I don't think it's ever a good idea for a Christian to use the Bible to condemn another's way of life or their belief system. For example, Leviticus 19 tells us not to trim our beards or the hair at the sides of our temples while shellfish are detestable in Leviticus 11. Hmmmm.

I was only saying you cant generalise people like that..... geeze.