Alternative Spirituality

» Brian Tubbs - Christianity

In response to Spiritualst Ordination posted by pink101:

On a broader note, Christianity can easily be interpreted and accepted as being a spritualistic system--totally. What holds these two apparently separate aspects of religion from being joined?

Definitions are key here. What is spiritualism? What is Christianity? What makes a spiritualist a spiritualist? What makes a Christian a Christian?

» pink101 - Brian and Cat

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What can anyone say?
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The questions are perplexing to say the least.
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In the final analysis, each person must answer for their own self no matter what anyone says.
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-- posted by pink101

» spiritalk - Abramic Covenant

In response to Abramic Covenant posted by pink101:

It might be interesting to hear from those who actually wrote and thoughtout the guidelines and education for the purposes of ordination.

God bless, J

-- posted by spiritalk

» pink101 - Abramic Covenant

In response to Abramic Covenant posted by spiritalk:
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Doesn't ordination make propitious that the ordained person has received the authority to speak on behalf of God?
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I remember the first ordination service I ever attended. The candidate was on the platform. A respected spokesperson introduced the subject in ceremony. The candidate was brought to center stage where he kneeled with his head bowed while a circle of church leaders gathered around him laying their hands on his head and shoulders. The main speaker intoned God's presence and approval of the event claiming God's authority empnasizing the solemnity of the situation. After which, the candidate was introduced to the congregants as an ordained minister of God.
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The ceremony is also refered to as The Laying On of Hands. It carries some of the same connotations as the marriage ceremony--binding.
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-- posted by pink101

» sacred_insights - Abramic Covenant

In response to Abramic Covenant posted by spiritalk:
Yes but those guidelines only apply in your church and nowhere else J, which just makes my point for me. Even if I were ordained Church of Spiritual Wisdom none of the other churches would accept the qualification for the paper it was written on. I have my Basic Spiritualism and Healing Certificates from your church and all the other churches require me to take THEIR courses LOL so what good does it do that you wrote the guidelines for your church? Do I expect them to take my credentials on face value even though I have served in several different Spiritualist churches over the last 12 years? NO! There is no reciprocal understanding between the churches because of politics. Would you accept someone's credentials at face value if they were coming from another Spiritualist church? NOT LIKELY! So why should they? So herein we see how the political infighting and power jockeying between the different Ministers is destroying Spiritualism. And we know what's happening in all the umbrella organizations such as the SCC SNU and the NSAC if that NSAC report link provided above is worth the paper it is printed on! And funny something tells me it is a worthy examination of Spiritualism!

-- posted by sacred_insights

» sacred_insights - Abramic Covenant

In response to Abramic Covenant posted by pink101:
Doesn't ordination make propitious that the ordained person has received the authority to speak on behalf of God?

Phil, I am not sure I get your question here? Please explain.

-- posted by sacred_insights

» Migisi - Abramic Covenant

In response to Abramic Covenant posted by sacred_insights:

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If what you're saying here is true (and I don't doubt it), Spiritualism has become more like the mainstream religions than one would like to admit. The early Christian bishops from the individual churches were divided by the same problems of doctrine and structure. I wonder if Spiritualism will need a Council at Nicea to settle the issues once and for all in order to unify their church. If so, what will become of the 'heretical' churches who refuse to follow that Council's edict? Will they become denominations - like we see in the mainstream faiths? Hmm.

-- posted by Migisi

» sacred_insights - Abramic Covenant

In response to Abramic Covenant posted by Migisi:
Migisi:

You know what I have no clue but I have a feeling history has a way of repeating itself! For that reason it will be interesting to see what happens but, I think I will be an outsider looking in no mater how much I believe in the tenants of Spiritualism I don't have the stomach for the politics. There is something peaceful, healing and rejuvenating in a personal sense of spirituality. I can find my sense of community in a different way if not with like-minded spiritual believers.

On the other hand, one might say that this is where the New Age fits in to the mix. New Agers believe very similar things spiritually for the most part as Spiritualists do (with the exception of those who believe in alien contact/abduction stories) but avoid formal organization and the political power jockeying that tends to go with it. For that reason they seem to be feared and hated by those who have bought into established Spiritualism because they are seen as a very real threat to the organization and the positions of those involved.

I guess Spiritualism will have to get used to more direct completion from the New Age movement and so it will need to get itself together to survive. How Spiritualism will do this I am not sure. Regardless of the outcome it should be interesting to see how events unfold into the future.

Cat

-- posted by sacred_insights

» sacred_insights - Brian and Cat

In response to Brian and Cat posted by pink101:
I hear you there Phil but if you give the definition of Christian I will give what I understand a Spiritualist to be. Of course, I am only speaking from my own experience and perspective as you are only speaking from yours.

I think it is fair to try to define what is what.

Cat

-- posted by sacred_insights

» Migisi - Personally speaking.

In response to Abramic Covenant posted by sacred_insights:

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There is something peaceful, healing and rejuvenating in a personal sense of spirituality. I can find my sense of community in a different way if not with like-minded spiritual believers.
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I'm with you 100% on that. I don't need a social club to direct or approve of my spiritual path.

-- posted by Migisi