19 Apr 2008 - Urgent info update for all Spiritualist practitioners

Dear members and Friends allied to Spiritualist practices.......

As you may be aware, there is a move within the European Union to present new consumer rights laws that may have a heavily detrimental effect on those of us in the ICSJ who work within the field of Mediumship and Healing (laying on of hands etc).

At its' core, the new law replaces the UK's Fraudulent Mediums Act with new legislation that will allow the public to bring cases of malicious deception and fraud to any practitioner who provides information that cannot be verified as fact.

Whilst I sincerely believe that no one in ICSJ (especially those of you who have attended the intensive training courses on the subject) would ever seek to misrepresent Spirit or offer unsubstantiated claims that could be open to such interpretation), I would re-iterate, in no uncertain terms, that the role of the Medium is to provide EVIDENCE., and the healer to be a channel for supportive energy IN CONJUNCTION with , and not as an alternative to, general medical practice.

Now we are all well aware that healing sessions and demonstrations are, in essence, an experiment on every occasion, and should make this clear, with no promises other than our sincere belief that we will give off what we are given to the sitter or congregation/audience/client for them to interpret, I would like to remind you ALL that ICSJ will, in no circumstance, countenance the giving off of predictions, nor promises of total healing and embellished messages that might leave the vulnerable open to deceipt. This is down to the Spirit world to enable through us as channels, and NOT down to us.

ANYONE who is found to have done so will become subject to the gravest of disciplinary measures., possibly resulting in licenses to practise and insurance being removed. Not only is this our duty as professional and purposeful supporters of the Spirit world's desires to communicate and support the general public THROUGH us (remember, we are channels only, lets keep the old ego at bay here) it is also a requirement of the public liability insurance that you all benefit from.

I have been asked to mention this to you all by the insurers and, as this is of such great importance to those of us who do touch the lives of people via mediumship support and healing sessions, I feel it important to place it in the public arena of our website, in the hope that members of the public will recognise our serious intention to safeguard their interest as well.

Now, whilst I am a strong supporter of any public or private measure to dismiss and prevent fraudsters and charletans from doing damage to the vulnerable and the seekers of support through misrepresenting Spirit to them, I am somewhat concerned that this new law will place immense pressure on genuine mediums and practitioners to promote their religious beliefs. No other religious structure in the world has this sort of limitation placed upon them and I am appalled that the secular powers of government feel it necessary to effectively persecute those of us who hold strongly held convictions in this regard. To be honest, I feel there are far more serious contenders who need to be addressed by their brainwashing tactics and wholesale taking over of people's lives in order to prevent them from being free to articulate their spiritual understanding in a way that feels apporpriate to them, simply because these other bodies wish to dominate and control them (and usually their bank balances as well).

We in ICSJ must do everything we can to assure those who come to us for help that our love and support is unconditional, genuine and foccussed on their wellbeing and future growth.

To that end, I have today applied for the ICSJ to be allied to the Spiritualist Workers Associaiton in the UK, and, having read their website, code of condut and guidance for workers etc, I am confident that this body will be a very positive ally in our work. For those of you who do work in the field of Mediumship, I would urge you to consider a private membership yourself, so that you have the broadest spectrum of guidance and support possible. Membership is free so please search them on google etc and make your own mind up.

Love and light as always in the pursuit of the spiritual cohesion of God's people.  ++Barry