Posted by:
caffiend
(
)
Date: May 09, 2020 12:17AM
Spirituality needs to be distinguished from Spiritualism (more properly termed "Spiritism"). Spiritualism was especially popular among the smart crowd of the 19th Century ("Turn of the Screw," etc.) but has a crosscultural appeal that has endured for millennia.
Spirituality is a popular and generalized term these days, and involves any number, or type, of involvement with something higher or transcendent. These may involved "organized religion," or simple feelings of, connections with, aspirations to the immaterial, with or without an articulated belief system. Thus the common "I'm spiritual but not religious."
My brother is an abject atheist but considers himself "spiritual." Go figure.
Spiritualism is the belief in, or communication or involvement with, non-material beings in general, or the dead in particular. In that many LDS have a strong sense of affinity with their departed kinfolk, there is an element of Spiritualism to LDS, especially the periods of Kirktland and Nauvoo.*
Spiritualism is not a unified belief system, but there are various teachings that show up rather regularly among Spiritist groups, churches, or teachers. One is that souls will never face a final judgment or damnation, but will continue to "evolve" to ever-higher planes of existence.
The Bible is very explicit in forbidding Spiritualist activity. A list of OT & NT references on Spiritualism and the occult:
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Bible-Verses-About-Spiritualism/The Bible isn't long on explaining, but several verses associate such practices with the demonic. Thus, the believing Christian should not get involved with seances, Ouija, fortune -telling, tarot, and other forms of divination, even for amusement. As Paul writes, "What harmony does Christ have with Belial?"
A Christian treatment of Spiritism:
https://www.moodymedia.org/articles/seducing-spirits-spiritism-vs-scripture/*Mary Baker Eddy was quite involved with Spiritualism when she wrote her textbook, "Science & Health." Altered or watered down, various Spiritist doctrines worked their way into her teachings.