Spiritualism
A branch of the occult, spiritualism is generally a form of divination centered on the dead. It is also defined by terms such as communication with spirits, the ability to see invisible beings, and necromancy. The Frenchman Allan Kardec is considered the founder of Spiritism, a popular spiritualist movement which began in France; he established the first Spiritist Society in 1858, although the broad practice of spiritualism dates back much further.
In this Hozana article, we will explore further what spiritualism is, as well as its various forms and variations. Then we will examine what the Word of God and the Catechism of the Catholic Church have to say about it.
At the end of this article, we invite you to explore other important questions about the Christian life.
Forms of Spiritualism
There are generally two types of Spiritualism:
- Spiritualism often practiced after the loss of a loved one
- A form of spiritualism involving necromancy
Spiritualism practiced to summon the deceased
This type of spiritualism is a practice in which one attempts to summon a deceased person using various techniques and methods.
However, this is not divination through the dead, but through spiritual beings—that is, demons—who take on the appearance of the deceased. Many exorcists confirm that a demon is perfectly capable of posing as a deceased person.
Necromancy
Necromancy-style spiritualism does not aim to establish contact with the deceased, but rather to seek knowledge and power.
All too often caricatured as “table-turning,” spiritualism can take various forms with several variations:
- The Ouija board: This is a game that involves communicating with spirits using a board on which all the letters of the alphabet are inscribed, as well as, at times, certain words and numbers. The spirit will either take possession of the board or the medium’s hand to make the medium write words through automatic writing. There is even said to be a so-called Christian version for communicating with the Holy Spirit.
- Reiki: Reiki is presented as a universal and cosmic divine energy that promotes healing and balance. This energy is channeled through a healing method involving the laying on of hands, in which the Reiki master asks spiritual guides to send energies into the chakras (energy centers that receive energy and distribute it throughout the body) to restore the body’s proper functioning. The laying on of hands practiced here has nothing to do with that practiced in a church ministry. Reiki is a dangerous practice for a Christian because it opens doors to occult spirits. A statement from the Doctrine Committee of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has clearly spoken out against the use of this practice, particularly in Catholic institutions.
- Seance with a turning table or round table: This is a session in which participants sit in a circle around a wooden table. Spirits tap on the table to establish communication.
- Instrumental Transcommunication (ITC): This is a process that allows a person to communicate with voices and entities, often using a tape recorder. A session makes it possible to hear messages from the invisible world.
- Automatic writing: This is a process by which a spirit uses the medium’s hand to communicate with the physical world.
- Therapeutic Mediumship: This is a supposedly therapeutic method in which a medium makes contact with the afterlife.
- Channeling: Meaning “transmission” or “invisible communication,” this refers to a connection between a person and an entity from the “astral plane.” Learn more about the New Age.
- Telepathy: This is a phenomenon of “direct communication ” of thoughts between two minds.
- Psychokinesis: This is the ability to move an object with the mind.
- The pendulum: Possessing great magnetism, it attracts various energies.
- Voodoo: This is a religion that worships countless “spirits” or gods who govern all aspects of existence (death, animals, fertility, etc.).
We could have mentioned others as well, such as Candomblé, Umbanda, etc.
What does the Word of God say about spiritualism?
Necromancy was practiced in Israel at various times:
“He immolated his child by fire. He practiced soothsaying and divination, and reintroduced the consulting of ghosts and spirits. He did much evil in the Lord ’s sight and provoked him to anger.” (2 Kings 21:6)
“And when they say to you, ‘Inquire of ghosts and soothsayers who chirp and mutter; should not a people inquire of their gods, consulting the dead on behalf of the living?’” (Isaiah 8:19)
Spiritism and necromancy are strongly condemned in the Bible:
“Do not turn to ghosts or consult spirits, by which you will be defiled. I, the Lord, am your God.” (Leviticus 19:31)
“Should anyone turn to ghosts and spirits and prostitute oneself with them, I will turn against that person and cut such a one off from among the people. Sanctify yourselves, then, and be holy; for I, the Lord, your God, am holy.” (Leviticus 20:6–7)
“Let there not be found among you anyone who causes their son or daughter to pass through the fire, or practices divination, or is a soothsayer, augur, or sorcerer, or who casts spells, consults ghosts and spirits, or seeks oracles from the dead. Anyone who does such things is an abomination to the Lord, and because of such abominations the Lord, your God, is dispossessing them before you. You must be altogether sincere with the Lord, your God. Although these nations whom you are about to dispossess listen to their soothsayers and diviners, the Lord, your God, will not permit you to do so. A prophet like me will the Lord, your God, raise up for you from among your own kindred; that is the one to whom you shall listen.” (Deuteronomy 18:10–15)
What does the Catechism of the Catholic Church say about spiritualism?
The Catechism of the Catholic Church addresses spiritism and spiritualism, particularly in paragraphs 2115–2117.
“All forms of divination are to be rejected: recourse to Satan or demons, conjuring up the dead or other practices falsely supposed to "unveil" the future. Consulting horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, interpretation of omens and lots, the phenomena of clairvoyance, and recourse to mediums all conceal a desire for power over time, history, and, in the last analysis, other human beings, as well as a wish to conciliate hidden powers. They contradict the honor, respect, and loving fear that we owe to God alone.” (No. 2116).
Spiritism is condemned in no. 2117: “Spiritism often implies divination or magical practices; the Church for her part warns the faithful against it.” (no. 2117).
This same paragraph adds that spiritualism, like any other form of divination, is contrary “to the virtue of religion.”
What does the Church say about communicating with the deceased?
The Church reminds us that we have no direct contact with the dead. It therefore condemns the evocation of the deceased through spiritualism. On the other hand, it encourages us to pray for the dead, which is different. Invoking the deceased consists of praying to God for them, without resorting to spiritualist practices. The Catechism of the Catholic Church encourages us to pray for the dead: “'[...] It is a holy and a wholesome thought to pray for the dead that they may be loosed from their sins' [...] Our prayer for them is capable not only of helping them, but also of making their intercession for us effective.” (No. 958).
What are the dangers of spiritualism and spiritism?
Deceiving Christians
It is a deceptive practice: indeed, spiritism professes a single God, with Jesus as a model for humanity. However, this is not the Jesus who is true God and true man, as professed by the Catholic Church.
As we have seen previously, demons can take on the appearance of the deceased.
Causing Various Evils
In the most extreme cases, the practice of spiritism and spiritualism can cause various evils in a person who practices it, such as infestation or even possession, in which case the person may need to consult an exorcist to be set free.
Let us be strengthened in the Holy Spirit with Hozana
Let us not fall into the trap of spiritualism and its various spirits, which cause confusion and deceive us. Let us listen to the One Spirit: the Spirit of God, that is, the Holy Spirit. Hozana invites you to rediscover Him through various communities, such as:
- This
- Or to
- Or even .
