
Administration
The registered Charter of the Spiritualist Alliance defines specific aims and objects pertaining to the presentation of Spiritualism which are based on the Seven Principles. According to the Charter the Alliance is to be governed by an Executive and Committee that shall meet on a monthly basis, or whenever necessary. These officials are elected either annually or biannually by the Membership.Aims and objects
Objects and Aims
The Alliance functions for the holding of religious and
other meetings which are intended to promote the advancement and diffusion,
within New Zealand, of the religion and philosophy of Spiritualism.
The principal function of the Alliance however, is to promote the philosophy
of Spiritualism based on the Seven Principles [read on]. Further, 'we' endeavour,
through mediumship, i.e. the trained development of psychic faculties, to
provide information and evidence of life after death, or as 'we' prefer Life
After Life! An integral part of our service, in common with most Spiritualist
churches, is Spiritualist Healing. Each week this is demonstrated and practised
in accordance with a code of ethics, which clearly demonstrates our desire
and willingness to work in harmony with - and to being complimentary to -
the medical professions of both doctors and also veterinarians.
The Seven Principles
Are not presented here as a confession of faith, or as an authority, or even
as a standard to which assent is required, It merely supplies a common basis
of beliefs upon which Spiritualists can agree and unite as members and friends
of The Spiritualist Alliance.
1) The Universal Fatherhood of God
Belief in the existence of an Infinite and Evolving Universal Intelligence
commonly called God. This manifests by and through Natural Law, the highest
of which is Love. However, whilst these laws can be set in motion they cannot
be changed. Spiritualists do not attempt to define God for any definition
implies limitations and of course, one is unable to limit the illimitable
or define the indefinable.
2) The Universal Brotherhood of Man
That all humankind is incarnations of the Universal Intelligence and that
the innermost spirit of each one is essentially divine. In this respect, humankind
is created equal. Indeed, the Principle cuts at the root of all inequalities
of opportunity. Universal Brotherhood can be achieved and made a living reality
by means of mediumship that can link us in co-operation with those in spirit
to such a realisation.
3) The Communion of Spirit
and the Ministry of Angels [sic Ministering spirits]
The term angel was used at a time when orthodoxy still had a huge impact on
the masses and most still think of it as a divine messenger straight from
heaven with wings. However, in this third Principle it means a ministering
spirit. Therefore we feel that it should read The Communion and Communication
with Ministering [meaning more illumined] Spirits; this is a living experience
that has a profound influence upon the life of an individual whether incarnate
or discarnate. By means of spirit guidance, humankind is helped along the
road of life to happier states of existence. Spiritualism will in time become
the unifying force that will eventually bind humankind into one large harmonious
family.
4) The Survival of Bodily
Death and the Continuous Existence of the Human Soul
The Acceptance of survival and communication through demonstrated mediumship
opens up a new perspective of Life. When human beings have completed their
span on this earth, they gravitate to another dimension, another plane of
existence or vibration. In so doing they take their all of their character
and memory with them and resume their life in the spirit world exactly where
they left off in this earth world. Spiritualism stands for knowledge and its
beliefs are based only on what is evidentially established. [read 7 too.]
5) Personal Responsibility
In this Principle we find the contradiction most developed between orthodox
religion and the teachings of Spiritualism, meaning that one cannot accept
that one can look to someone else to bear one's sins or mistakes or omissions
and suffer, on one's behalf for them. Accordingly, Spiritualists repudiate
'scapegoat' practices and state that each individual is his or her own saviour
and administrator. During its incarnation on earth Humankind experiences the
inescapable Natural Law of Cause and Effect in both conscience and conception
of right and wrong. This law follows us into the spirit world and again, inescapably
it automatically adjusts all relationships good and or bad.
6) Compensation and Retribution,
here or hereafter, for all the Good and Evil deeds done on earth
Rightly, the one follows the other here and therefore placed after 5 at number
6. This is because each individual reaps exactly what one sows and on transition
one will naturally find oneself at the place in spirit that is in harmony
with one, meaning one's level of spirituality. However, there is no vindictive
punishment in the after-life. The development of character means the development
of spiritual powers. Therefore, as right thought leads to right action the
result is that it automatically dispels the illusion created by one's misuse
of one's life's opportunities on earth. Character and service to others is
the passport to advancement to another spiritual level both here and hereafter
and this can be eternally pursued if one wishes it and works at it.
7) Eternal Progress, open
to every Human Soul
Accordingly, the pathway of progress is never closed and there is no known
end either to the advancement of the individual. Notwithstanding, without
such an existence and the option to progress, personal endeavour would be
robbed of its purpose. After all, to even contemplate the belief that all
we create is eventually destroyed is to give life the appearance of ultimate
uselessness.
Those who accept and endeavour to live by the principles of Spiritualism are
more enabled to contemplate and understand. Unafraid of the inevitable closure
of this part of their existence they will enter the next state of being well
prepared for what awaits them. They will know where they are, who they are
and what is expected of them. They will face their future after 'death' with
confidence. This will have come through the knowledge brought by those who
have gone before and who tell us that they now experience a larger, noble,
fuller life, to which 'death' is but the entrance.
Promotion of the above Charter
and Seven Principles is created through regular Sunday meetings. There
are also variable mid-week programmes, which include public meetings comprising
talks, demonstrations of spirit communication, questions and answers, workshops
etc. Closed meetings pertaining to the development of psychic and mediumistic
talents are conducted from time to time; details of these meetings are available
upon request.
