The Philosophy of Spiritualism is enshrined within the Memorandum of Association of the Spiritualists’ National Union (SNU) in the form of the Seven Principles and is the foundation of the science, religion and philosophy which is Spiritualism.

The Seven Principles of Spiritualism were received through the trance mediumship of Emma Harding Britten. When entranced the spirit of Robert Owen gave the Principles as guidelines for life. This momentous event happened in 1871 and these Principles were eventually adapted and adopted and used in the formation of the SNU in 1901 when it become incorporated as a company under the Companies Act 1948 as a company, not for profit and limited by guarantee.

The Principles given by Robert Owen in 1871 were:

1. The Fatherhood of God;

2. The Brotherhood of Man;

3. The immortality of the soul and its personal characteristics;

4. Proven facts of communion between departed human spirits and mortals;

5. Personal responsibility. With compensation and retribution hereafter for all good or evil deeds done here;

6. A path of eternal progress open to every human soult hat wills to tread it by the path of eternal good.

Upon the Union’s incorporation as a company they became:

1. The Fatherood of God;

2. The Brotherhood of Man;

3. The Communion of Spirits and the Ministry of Angels;

4. Continuous Existence of the Human Soul;

5. Personal Responsibility;

6. Compensation and Retribution hereafter for all the good or evil deeds done on earth;

7. Eternal Progress open to every Human Soul.

As stated above, these Principles are enshrined in the Union’s Memorandum of Association and are unalterable. It should also be pointed out that the Philosophy of Spiritualism, by its very nature, ie factually based,  falls into the School of Realistic Philosophies.

These Principles are NOT the Principles of Spiritualism as such; they are the Principles, and the Philosophy, of the Spiritualists’ National Union and other Spiritualist Organisations and Churches have their own guidelines or even dogma which they incorporate into their religion. After having said that, however, these Principles where given to the world by spirit and the SNU are, in the main, happy to share these Principles with the world.

It can be seen from the 5^th Principle (Personal Responsibility) that Spiritualists are not obliged to accept these Principles if they do not wish to do so; they are free to make their own choices and will not be told how they must think.

To become a Member of an SNU Church or a Class B Member of the Union, however, then people are required to affirm their acceptance of these Principles by signing an appropriate declaration.