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Definition: Spiritualism is a paranormal belief system which developed in the western area of New York during the mid-19th century. The origins can be located rather precisely in the activities of the Fox sisters, who claimed to be able to communicate with spirits who answered questions through "rappings."
This set off a craze which spread across the United States where all sorts of "mediums" communicated with people's dead relatives - always for a price. The Fox sisters eventually revealed that they had simply been tricking people by creating the noises with their toes. Other mediums were also revealed to be fakes whenever they were investigated.
Also Known As: none
Alternate Spellings: none
Common Misspellings: none
Related Resources:
What is Theism?
What is the difference between monotheism and monolatry? Between pantheism and panentheism? How about between animism and shamanism? Or theism and deism? What the heck is henotheism? For that matter, what is and is not a religion?What is Religion?
A system of human beliefs, ideals and practices which is harder to define than it may at first appear.
