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The National Spiritualist Association of Churches (NSAC) is one of the oldest and largest of the national Spiritualist church organizations in the United States. The NSAC was formed as the National Spiritualist Association of the United States of America (NSA) in September 1893, during a three-day convention in Chicago, Illinois. Although American Spiritualists had previously tended to resist institutional or denominational organization, early NSA leaders hoped organization would help promote the truths of the religion both spiritually and practically.〔Cora L. V. Richmond in ''Proceedings of the National Delegate Convention of Spiritualists of the United States: Held in Chicago, Illinois, September 27, 28, and 29, 1893'' (Washington, D. C.: Stormont & Jackson, Printers, 1896), 10; Ann Braude, ''Radical Spirits: Spiritualism and Women's Rights in Nineteenth-Century America'', 1st ed. (Boston: Beacon Press, 1989), 165; E. J. Bowtell, 'Spiritualism and Nationalism,' ''Banner of Light'' 71, no. 7 (23 April 1892); 'Spiritualistic Meetings,' ''Boston Daily Globe'', 30 September 1894, 14; R. Laurence Moore, ''In Search of White Crows: Spiritualism, Parapsychology, and American Culture'' (New York: Oxford University Press, 1977), 10.〕 Organization could help non-Spiritualists distinguish genuine mediumship from the rapidly proliferating varieties fraudulent mediumship, increase communication among Spiritualists, prevent the legal prosecution of spirit mediums under fortune telling and medical licensing laws, and counterattacks by "orthodox" ministers in the press. To these reasons, early leaders added the material support of spirit mediums and healers, just as other religious groups provided for the support of their clergy. Among the NSA's first leaders were W. H. Bach, Harrison D. Barrett (former Unitarian clergymen), Luther V. Moulton, James Martin Peebles, and Cora L. V. Scott (spiritualist medium).〔Association, National Spiritualist. Spiritualist Manual. 7th ed. Chicago: Printing Products Corporation, 1944; Joseph Osgood Barrett, "Spiritual Pilgrim: a Biography of James M. Peebles." Boston: William White and Company, 1872, 44.〕 The association is also important for its adoption of a number of statements on Spiritualism which have become a standard to which other Spiritualist bodies more or less adhere.〔National Spiritualist Association. ''Spiritualist Manual''. 9th ed. (Chicago: Printing Products Corporation, 1955) 34.〕 ==Declaration of Principles== In 1899, a six-article "Declaration of Principles" was adopted by many Spiritualist groups. Three other articles were added at a later date. By no means do all Spiritualist denominations or individual churches affirm these principles, but because of their historical significance in setting the beliefs of modern Spiritualism, all nine articles are quoted in full below. The influence of Unitarianism is obvious in the definition of God in principle one. # We believe in Infinite Intelligence; # We believe that the phenomena of Nature, both physical and spiritual, are the expression of Infinite Intelligence; # We affirm that a correct understanding of such expression and living in accordance therewith constitute true religion; # We affirm that 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 that the highest morality is contained in the Golden Rule: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." (''Principles 1-6 adopted in Chicago, Illinois, 1899. Principle 6 revised in Ronkonkorma, New York, 2004.'') # We affirm the moral responsibility of the individual, and that we make our own happiness or unhappiness as we obey or disobey Nature's physical and spiritual laws; # We affirm that the doorway to reformation is never closed against any soul here or hereafter; (''Principles 7-8 adopted in Rochester, New York, 1909 and revised in Rochester, New York, 2001.'') # We affirm that the precept of Prophecy and Healing are Divine attributes proven through Mediumship. (''Principle 9 adopted in St. Louis, Missouri, 1944, revised in Oklahoma City, 1983 and in Westfield, New Jersey, 1998.'') 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「National Spiritualist Association of Churches」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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