Looking for online discussion about spiritualism and its philosophy

[lurchermummy]

Hi, I recently visited a spiritualist church for the first time and found it very welcoming and uplifting. I have read a bit about the spiritualst religion and mostly it resonated with me but I have questions. Is there anywhere online to discuss and explore in more detail? I live quite a long way from the nearest church hence why looking for something online. There's also a lot of supersition and scepticism in real life - for me it's about more than getting messages from dead people. It's more about the philosophy. I also have concerns about anything too structured/hierarchical/churchy - organisations like that seem to attract people who are in it for the wrong reasons.

I don’t think it has a philosophy as such, or is a ‘religion’. There are loads of different ‘spiritualist’ umbrella organisations. Some see themselves as Christian, some in the US are Native American or African American, others see themselves as nothing to do with any other religion. You can see why mediumship appealed to the 19thc women who were pioneers in the movement— it was a way for working class women to assume authority and make money. And why it got such a boost after WWI.

Here you go.
Spiritualists National Union
If you're interested in how it was received at the time, how liberating, read William James'
Varieties of Religious Experience

Thank you - I guess I was hoping for something like a discussion forum to as questions, explore views etc. I still find the SNU quite churchy.

Okay, found this for you then.
Spiritualism Forum