My "New" Church

A lot of people have been asking me: what is this "weird new-age church" you're going to? Warning me that it might be a cult, and not to give them all my money, or become brainwashed, etc..... so I thought I'd take a moment to explain.

First of all, it's a "spiritualist" church and this is not a "new-age weird" thing. Spiritualist churches have been around since the Victorian era and one of the books we sometimes use is actually an old book dated 1936 called "The Spiritualist Handbook". These books are the real deal, probably would go for a pretty penny at the Antiquarian Book Fair if they weren't so beat up. They also have an updated newer book with newer songs by The Beatles and Doobie Brothers and Tracy Chapman and The Eagles, etc...

They start each service with a recitation of The Spiritualist Declarations of Principles. Which explains the religion and it goes like this:

We believe in infinite intelligence.

We believe the phenomena of nature, both physical and spiritual, are an expression of infinite intelligence.

We affirm that a correct understanding of such expression and living accordance therewith constitute a true religion.

We affirm the the existence and personal identity of the individual continue after the change called death.

We affirm that communication with the so-called dead is a fact, scientifically proven by the phenomena of Spiritualism.

We believe the highest morality is contained in the Golden Rule: "Whatsoever ye would that others should do unto you, do ye also onto them.

We affirm that the moral responsibility of the individual, and that he makes his own happiness or unhappiness as he obeys or disobeys Nature's physical and spiritual laws.

We affirm that the doorway to reformation is never closed against any human soul hereafter.

We affirm that the precept of Prophecy contained in the Bible is a divine attribute proven through mediumship.

The church is small, maybe 10-20 in attendance and embraces every religion. Today we had a guest speaker, a truly southern Bible thumping reverend punctuating his statements with "GIVE ME AN AMEN, BROTHERS AND SISTERS!" and such. Not exactly my cup of tea, but I like the diversity of the members and the acceptance of every race, culture and religion.

Today, after service, I met a man who does "table tipping". Now that would be something to see!