BibleFacts

Spiritism

 On Cults

Spiritism or spiritualism is a belief that souls of the departed continue to exist and may be communicated with. The movement began in 1848 with Kete Fox using a special way of making a tapping sound that was not discovered for some time. This practice is forbidden in the Bible.

 Basic practices and beliefs:

  1. Communication with the dead by means of séances and mediums or channelers
  2. No heaven or hell, but endless progression.
  3. Belief in spirit guides, poltergeists, materialization, telepathy, clairvoyance, aports, and levitation

Some groups will also use a Ouija board. Spirit boards became known in the 1800’s and the idea was taken by Parker Brothers to make a game called “Ouija Board” in the 1930’s so this is of recent origin.

Some well known spiritistic mediums are:

  1. Sylvia Brown
    Claims to be psychic, and believes in spirit guides. Her background is Jewish, Catholic, Episcopalian, and Lutheran. But she rejects any that teach the reality of  sin and hell. She founded her own church, Novus Spiritus, based on ancient Gnosticism. Some teachings include the doctrine of emanations and reincarnation. Everyone is as much a son of God as Jesus was. Jesus did not die on the cross. The main deity worshiped is a mother goddess is called Azna.
  2. James Van Praagh
    He was raised Roman Catholic. He uses a Ouiji board, sees visions, believes God is non-judgmental and is inside each of us. He teaches the doctrine of emanations, reincarnation, and spirit guides.
      
  3. John Edward
    Born in 1969, he had been involved in astral projection, and tarot cards. He claims to be a Roman Catholic Christian. He teaches the doctrines of reincarnation, and spirit guides.

Major spiritist religious bodies in the USA are:

  1. National Spiritualist Alliance of the USA
  2. National Spiritualist Association of Churches

 

www.biblefacts.org Date: 12-2003