ABC of Spiritualism 31 & 32/100

31. What attitude does Spiritualism take toward other Religions?

A friendly and appreciative attitude, recognizing the rights of other religionists to think and act for themselves. Spiritualists rejoice in all good accomplished by the churches and various religious cults, freely acknowledging the fact that all of them are necessary in a sense to meet the varying needs of men in different stages of intellectual and spiritual unfoldment. While gladly recognizing the truth given out and the good done by others, Spiritualists claim equal right to point out the errors and fallacies of the old religions and to present with boldness and fidelity the newer and fuller gospel of the Harmonial Philosophy to the world. They believe the Churches today represent primary schools and that as men graduate out of these they naturally will progress toward the broad and inspiring Philosophy of Life contained in Modern Spiritualism. Indeed they claim that all progressive thought lies toward Spiritualism and that men progressing must advance toward it.

32. What is the attitude of Spiritualism toward Miracles and the Supernatural?

In the sense in which Miracles have been believed in and taught by the Church—as abrogation or suspensions of natural law—Spiritualism denies their existence. All occurrences both on the physical and the spiritual plane are under law. Miracles as wonderful happenings, seemingly contrary to the known laws of nature, are freely admitted. But in every case such happenings, it is held, are in accord with laws unknown. In other words the occurrences called miracles are events seemingly contrary to law, or it may be contrary to all laws known to the observer, yet in accordance with laws not fully understood. There is no arbitrary suspension or annulment of law in the universe.