77 per cent of readers do not
consider Spiritualism a religion
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We asked – you told us! Many thanks to the hundreds of you who took the time to respond to our 2012 Readers’ Survey. We received completed questionnaires from England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France, Spain, the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and India.
Your answers have been frank and revealing. They’ve also brought some surprises – not least the fact that although 84 per cent of those who responded regard themselves as Spiritualists, a staggering 77 per cent do not regard Spiritualism as a religion. The vast majority see it as a way of life. If this statistic is reflected nationally and internationally, the implications for Spiritualist churches and centres are potentially far-reaching.
Just over half of you responded that you belong to a Spiritualist, spiritual or paranormal organisation, and we asked those how satisfied they were with their organisation. Thirty-seven per cent are either very satisfied or satisfied, while fourteen per cent are either dissatisfied or very dissatisfied. Interestingly, 49 per cent chose not to answer that particular question, even though our survey was entirely anonymous.
Forty-three per cent of respondents attend a church or centre regularly, with 39 per cent of those owning their own premises. Almost all offer a weekly service of some kind. Healing and demonstrations of mediumship are available in 61 per cent of those venues, with open or closed circles running in 44 and 27 per cent respectively. Forty-two per cent reported an active social programme.
We asked if you felt comfortable speaking to others about spirit communication and the afterlife. A massive 84 per cent of you told us that you did.
Most revealing of all were the comments you provided in addition to answering our questions. Many of you told us your reasons for coming into Spiritualism in the first place, and were very up-front with your views on today’s churches, mediums, organisations and training. You’ll find a small selection here.
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I am a Roman Catholic priest and take services in my own church but my mother was clairvoyant and I too have psychic experiences at times. So my view is quite Spiritualist and Christian. I occasionally attend Spiritualist services when I have the time. God bless you in your calling. (UK)
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As a Spiritualist I feel that I have to remain guarded as to who I talk to in relation to what I believe, as very heated and hostile arguments can develop. I therefore retreat rather than stand up for my beliefs. (USA)
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I feel Spiritualism has become superficial, with pop star-style mediums and petty behaviour by so-called presidents of churches. (England)
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I was born in 1918 and am a retired engineer. I got involved in the afterlife through an experimental circle which a group of RAF ground crew created in 1938 at RAF Catterick, in which one of the members turned out to be an excellent trance medium. (England)
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Despite ongoing loss of membership and discussion of need for changes at AGMs, my local church committee lacks drive for positive active promotion – possibly related to preference for old familiar conventions and fear of alienating older members. However, responsibility is that of all of membership, not committee alone. But there continues a general lack of youthful presence. (UK)
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Too many Spiritualist churches present Spiritualism
in an old-fashioned and overly simplistic way, and really do not meet the needs or interests of people today. If we cannot engage those who are able to
think, assess, and forge new opportunities to make Spiritualism known, then we as a movement will almost certainly fade away. (Location unknown)
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I am proud to be a Spiritualist and quite open about it. I jump at any opportunity of planting a seed. (UK)
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| As a Spiritualist you are a member of a loving and caring family, both here and in the spirit realms. (British Isles) |
