Spiritualist Association of Great Britain
The Spiritualist Association of Great Britain (the SAGB) was established in 1872.[1][2] Perhaps its most famous and outspoken supporter was Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who (according to his obituary in the New York Times) in later years "often expressed a wish that he should be remembered for his psychic work rather than for his novels".[3][4][5] The SAGB grew out of the Marylebone Spiritualist Association (founded 1872). The story of the association's early struggles "to propagate spiritual truths in the Marylebone area of London" is told in an SAGB publication, "One Hundred Years of Spiritualism", which also states that Queen Victoria allegedly held several séances after the death of the Prince Consort.[6]
It relocated in 2010 to a new home in the Victoria Charity Centre on Belgrave Road, London, near Victoria Station.[7]
Serving the principles of the Spiritualist movement, and open to members and non-members alike, the SAGB offers rooms where the public, whether Spiritualist or not, may sit for readings with spirit mediums. Sunday services are free and include a public Demonstration of mediumship. Private 30-minute sittings are available daily during opening hours for a fee. They may be recorded if the client wishes. The nature of the sittings is strictly limited by a policy which states that the mediums are "to try to provide evidence of survival [of the spirit after death] and not to predict the future." [8]
As an organization, the SAGB lists its goals as follows:
To offer evidence to the bereaved that man survives the change called death and, because he is a spiritual being, retains the faculties of individuality, personality and intelligence, and can willingly return to those left on earth, ties of love and friendship being the motivating force. To offer spiritual healing to those suffering from dis-ease, whether in mind, body or spirit, in a warm and loving environment.With both of these objectives in mind, to offer only the best and highest so that those on both sides of the veil can progress in a truly spiritual sense.[9]
The SAGB and its mediums abide by the following seven principles of belief:
- That there is an Infinite Intelligence, Who governs all
- That personal identity and all sentient forms of life survive physical death
- That continuous existence and eternal progress occur for all in the Hereafter
- That there is communion with the spiritual realms
- That all of humanity is spiritually linked
- That in the Hereafter, all must account for their actions on earth and will judge themselves accordingly
- That all are responsible for the way they conduct their earthly lives.[10][11]
References
- ↑ Louise, Emma. "A Concise History of Spiritualism". Critical-thinking.org.uk. Retrieved 2014-04-07.
- ↑ "Victorian Spiritualism". Victorianweb.org. 2013-11-14. Retrieved 2014-04-07.
- ↑ "Conan Doyle Dead From Heart Attack". Nytimes.com. 1930-07-08. Retrieved 2014-04-07.
- ↑ "Teller of Tales". Nytimes.com. 1930-07-08. Retrieved 2014-04-07.
- ↑ "Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Victorian Spiritualism". Victorianweb.org. 2013-11-14. Retrieved 2014-04-07.
- ↑ United Kingdom. "Spiritualist Association of Great Britain: Information from". Answers.com. Retrieved 2014-04-07.
- ↑ "The Spiritualist Association Of Great Britain (Formerly The Marylebone Spiritualist Association) Limited | Non-Terminal Disease - Medical Research Charities | Charity Directory". Charity Choice. Retrieved 2014-04-07.
- ↑ "London - Belgrave Square". Spiritualistresources.com. Retrieved 2014-04-07.
- ↑ "About". Sagb.org.uk. 2012-01-25. Retrieved 2014-04-07.
- ↑ "The Principles of Spiritualism". Spiritualist.tv. Retrieved 2014-04-07.
- ↑ "7 Principles of SAGB". Sagb.org.uk. 2012-01-25. Retrieved 2014-04-07.