Look to the Past to See the Beyond
When I heard the word ‘medium,’ my first thought was about the size between small
and large and then maybe someone in a sideshow tent with a promise to look into my future for
only five dollars. I had never really thought of mediums as part of a science or religion like
Spiritualism because I had never heard of Spiritualism before. I was not alone in this, though.
The majority of the American public lacks knowledge on Spiritualism, and the parts of
Spiritualism that are commonly known are often portrayed in a negative light. Because of this,
the once flourishing movement is losing traction and being increasingly misrepresented and
misunderstood. To prevent this from going further, current Spiritualists in America should
emphasize the study of the historical practices of Spiritualism and encourage scientists,
skeptics, and debunkers to experience and observe Spiritualist practices as a means to
strengthen their religion and to appeal to and educate a wider audience. In reverting to old
methods, Spiritualism could garner more attention, which would provide a larger audience with
whom they can share their beliefs and practices. Similarly, encouraging those skeptical of
Spiritualism to participate or observe an event provides the Religion to show it is more than
what the media portrays it as, as well as potentially helping to expose any fraudulent mediums.
In ridding themselves of people only looking to prosper, the religion can become more honest
and powerful than ever before.
One of the major issues modern Spiritualists face is that Spiritualism is a greatly
unknown and misunderstood religion in part due to the major divide between followers into
different religious sects and the often negative portrayal of mediums by the media. However,
by studying methods in which early Spiritualists practiced and garnered attention, it is possible
to gather more of the public’s attention and to educate them from there. The more educated the
public is on the subject, the more likely they are to relate to and accept it, and Spiritualism,
when properly portrayed and explored, can stimulate curiosity, inspire, and provide an
immense sense of comfort. In the peer-reviewed journal, The Journal of Religion, notable
Spiritualist and scholar, George Lawton discusses Spiritualism as a religion and its role in the
life of its followers. Lawton emphasizes that Spiritualism is a religion in and of itself and a
“comforting guide” (37). It offers its followers comfort and encouragement in times of
frustration as well as offering answers to worries and difficulties (Lawton 37). This is similar to
many religions in existence today, and it is not the only similarity. Because Spiritualism’s
original principle of self responsibility have mixed with American Christian beliefs,
Spiritualists have an “avowed belief in God and Jesus Christ;” however, Spiritualists maintain a
separate religion because “they do not consider themselves Christians“ (qtd. in Poliquin). This
causes great tension from some Christian religions that are not fully aware of their belief
system (Poliquin). Spiritualism is not opposition to Christianity, but it does hold different
beliefs. If both can understand where the other stands, they can alleviate tensions and respect
each other’s beliefs. The first step to educating others about the religion is to educate them
about the existence. In the past, it was done by word of mouth, advertisements, and public
sessions, but in modern times, there are plenty more mediums to be utilized as well as the
traditional ones. Because they have been featured in newspaper stories, books, documentaries,
and a variety of other mediums, the Lily Dale Assembly, the world’s largest Spiritualist
community, has begun to receive upwards or 22,000 visitors who are hoping to participate and
learn from the experience (Poliquin). This turn out is evidence that an interest in Spiritualism
still exists across the country and the world, but knowledge is key to bringing curious souls to
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learn more. But the general public’s lack of knowledge is not the only problem modern
Spiritualists face.
The once flourishing Spiritualist movement is currently on the decline due to the
predominantly fraudulent population of mediums and the shift from genuine Spiritualist beliefs.
In the peer-reviewed journal, Journal of Scientific Exploration, emeritus professor of
philosophy at University of Maryland Baltimore County, former president of the
Parapsychological Association, and current Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Scientific
Exploration, Dr. Stephen E. Braude discusses the history of Spiritualism, the shift to modern
practices, and fraud amongst the Spiritualist population. Braude states that one of the main
reasons for Spiritualism’s declining popularity is “the richly documented history of
mediumistic fraud perpetrated by soundrels [sic] only too willing to take advantage of grieving
and gullible sitters” (Braude 220). But this is not to say that frauds are a recent addition to the
practice. People have been abusing Spiritualism for their own financial gains since the
beginning of the movement in the mid-nineteenth century; there was, however, a method to
keeping the frauds away. At the beginning of the movement, scientists and ‘spiritual
debunkers’ played a major role in exposing hundreds of fraud mediums by attending and
observing their séances, which allowed especially gifted mediums to stand out from the crowd
(Braude 220). These skeptics still exist, but often simply dismiss all mediums as fakes rather
than participate in observations and hands-on opportunities (Braude 220). This dismissal comes
partially because Spiritualism is not as prevalent and open as it was in the past. Many modern
Spiritualists and mediums are willing to hold séances and sessions for whomever can pay, but
lean more towards open-minded audiences than those looking for flaws. And while maintaining
professionalism and keeping up to date is important to success, studying the historic practices
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of Spiritualist séances can give modern Spiritualists an edge (Braude 221). Kai Mugge, an avid
student of old ‘spiritist’ practices, is one of the only modern physical mediums that allows and
continues to pass intense, competent studies by skeptics (Braude 221). He focuses on studying
the methods from the past to communicate with the spirits from it. This connection to the past
becomes increasingly important as our society becomes more technical.
As the world becomes progressively more technological, mediums are looking for more
advanced ways to project spirit communications into the world; however, both the
Parapsychology Foundation and the Parapsychological Association agree that mediums that
primarily practice with traditional vital force produce the most genuine results. In an extensive
2014 investigation of the Felix Experimental Group, Dr. Michael Nahm, a German biologist
and author of Evolution and Parapsychology, and Dr. Stephen E. Braude, former president of
the Parapsychological Association, found substantial evidence of fraud among most mediums
with the exception if Kai Mügge. Kai Mügge’s exception is significant due to his fascination
with traditional séances and his ability to produce “phenomena not seen under decent
conditions since the heyday of Spiritualism” (Braude 221). This ability suggests true ability and
a control over vital force, which is not easily recreated by acting and forced manipulations of
the environment. Vital force was a concept present in early Spiritualism to describe the “forces
thought to emanate from the human body to produce psychic phenomena” (Alvarado and Nahm
91). These forces can be projections by the spirit or the medium with help from the spirit as a
means to alter the environment without physically interacting with it. It has been used to
describe observed events in which no other explanation can be made. Similar to the resiliency
of Mügge’s methods, during the heyday of Spiritualism, skeptics and debunkers were unable to
discredit various vital force methods utilized by Eusapia Palladino, one of the most well known
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mediums of the time (Braude 220). While Palladino was caught and admitted to using trickery
in some séances as a means to portray answers or falsify claims, there were major instances in
which scientists and skeptics still cannot explain. It is the honest and true mediums that
represent Spiritualism as it is intended to be, and any dishonesty is frowned upon, especially
when it is solely done for personal benefit. But mediums are not the only people involved in
Spiritualism, and all are needed to play an important role in keeping Spiritualism alive and
honest.
By passing up the opportunity to strengthen the religion and thus their own life as well
as potentially changing others’ lives, a Spiritualist would be directly neglecting to fulfill the
Seven Principles of Spiritualism and, thus, failing to embody the responsibility of a true
Spiritualist. While Spiritualists have broken off into different sects and have varying degrees of
tradition embedded in their modern practices, the majority of religions, which identify as
Spiritualist believe in the Seven Principles of Spiritualism. One of the Seven Principles of
Spiritualism, as explained by the Spiritualists’ National Union, is that of personal
responsibility, which details, “In His wisdom, God has given us enormous potential; we can use
that potential to improve our own lives and the lives of others” (“7 Principles”). However, not
all Spiritualists are looking to help others. Not all fully follow the principles because they see
the principles as “a foundation for developing a personal philosophy” rather than as “binding
rules or the basis of a dogma” (“7 Principles”). Thus, some may see opposition as solely a
threat to themselves or the religion; among this group are mediums and followers who often
exploit unsuspecting and open-minded individuals for their own financial gain. It would be
irresponsible of true followers to allow frauds to continue to make a mockery of the religion as
they currently do. By encouraging curious minds to further explore and experience
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Spiritualism, Spiritualists can fulfill their duty as a responsible member of the church and open
the chance to better others and their own lives. According to the 2005 Baylor Religion Survey,
over one fifth of the U.S. adult population believe it is possible to communicate with the dead
and, of those, about half have seen a medium or the like (“American”). This supports the idea
that the American public is not apathetic to the idea, but as Spiritualists at Lily Dale
understand, many people are hesitant to recognize and accept Spiritualism due to a lack of
knowledge about it (Poliquin). Some Spiritualists oppose drawing people in because they
believe it interferes with the same major principle this is based on, personal responsibility, by
influencing other’s decisions when they have a right to make them themselves. However,
providing information and making the public aware of opportunities to experience new things
is a practice commonly used by many religions and is meant to inform the audience and not
decide for them. It can be of benefit to both potential members and the religion itself. By
previously inviting scientists and curious minds to observe and experience séances and public
services, Spiritualism at the turn of the twentieth century was able to rid itself of frauds, which
left it with a stronger and more honest base to expand with (Braude 220). The most notable
medium of the time, Eusapia Palladino, was among those considered to have an honest ability,
and while it is noted that she was caught a few times tricking her audience, there are many
cases in which no trickery was observed and the events were unexplainable and sparked an
interest in previous skeptics (Braude 220). Opposition’s effects on Spiritualism do not have to
be negative, but rather much like in a competition, it can and should be utilized as a tool to
encourage advancement and improvement.
Spiritualism is likely to continue to exist whether or not any members follow this
policy, but it is also likely to continue to weaken and slow in progress until it becomes
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stationary before finally becoming too disconnected from the original pillars and beliefs to
justify it’s origins. However, by spreading the word about Spiritualism and encouraging others
to experience the religion and learn about the current religion and where it has come from,
Spiritualists can ensure the strengthening of the community on an already sound foundation.
Scientology, which was founded with Spiritualism as a major factor, has become disconnected
because of the distortion of Spiritualism’s principles to the benefit of self. However, the
association between the two is still made in media, and because Scientology is often portrayed
negatively with aspects of a cult, it can reflect on Spiritualism in a similar fashion. This, in
conjunction with reality television and sideshow mediums, can give the general public reason
to think of Spiritualism as a joke or in a skeptical light. It is on current Spiritualists to stand up
and educate the public or at least give them the chance to learn their views. Because if they do
not act, it is unlikely anyone else will, and slowly, the foundation of their religion will break
down until it becomes exactly what it is portrayed as in the media: frauds with crystal balls and
naïve followers.
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Bibliography
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Alvarado, Carlos S., and Michael Nahm. “Psychic Phenomena and the Vital Force: Hereward
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Psychical Research (2011): 91-103. Web. 11 Apr. 2015.
“American Piety in the 21st Century: New Insights to the Depth and Complexity of Religion in
the US.” Waco, Texas: Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion, 2006. Web. 14 Apr.
2015.
Braude, Stephen. “Editorial.” Journal of Scientific Exploration 28.2 (2014): 219-227. Academic
Search Complete. Web. 27 Feb. 2015.
Lawton, George. “Spiritualism. A Contemporary American Religion.” The Journal of Religion
10.1 (1930): 37-54. JSTOR. Web. 1 Mar. 2015.
Poliquin, Kathleen. “Lily Dale: Where Mediums, Healers And Spiritualists Summer.”
Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 28 Aug. 2012. Web. 9 Apr. 2015.
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