Spiritualism rejects materialism, and emphasizes the existence higher spiritual realities. It embraces all forms of spiritual belief, from ancient to modern. It is a form metaphysics. However, it differs from other schools of thought in several important ways.
Modern Spiritualism
Modern Spiritualism is an alternative religion that relies on inner journeys. It embraces ideas about the ultimate reality and envisions an existence that is devoted to discovering the true nature oneself. It is often considered to have a pro-social orientation.
Table-turning
Modern Spiritualism has table-turning as a popular practice since the middle of 19th century. It was a result of the 1848 Rochester rappings that sparked interest and electro-biology. Researchers began investigating the possibility that table-turning could be caused by animal magnetism (or spirit communication), or unconscious muscle actions.
Seances
Many people are skeptical about spiritualism and seances. Skeptics point out that the phenomenon is not real and that seances are merely a form of pious fraud. Although there are numerous cases of people channeling spirits or experiencing them, there are limitations to this phenomenon. There are also restrictions on individual images.
Materialization
Materialization is when spirits enter an individual's body for any reason. It may occur by accident, during hauntings, or at the direction of a medium. These phenomena are often suspicious. There have been instances where mediums have attempted to fake them. Materialization of flowers, for instance, was often attributed during the nineteenth century to a medium.
Millerism
The abolitionist movement seeks to free slaves, destroy traditional marriage and sexual relationships, and reject Bible authority. They also seek to end political deference and the sanctity of private property.
Mormonism
Mormonism and Spiritualism share some basic beliefs. Both belief that Jesus Christ, the Lord of Heaven and Earth, will return to establish a kingdom for God. They claim that their revelations are derived from the Bible. Spiritualists, as well as Mormons, believe that there are twelve apostles up in heaven.
British National Association of Spiritualists
The pioneers of Spiritualism in Britain established a national body to represent their faith in the early 19th century. They held a number of National Conferences to establish a National Federation of Spiritualist Churches but the meetings were unsuccessful. The magazine Two Worlds published a plan to create a national Spiritualist association in late 1889. It was also the occasion of a gathering of Spiritualists in Manchester.