Image that Spiritualism Presents to the Public

Image is one of the most important things of any religion. Even ones personal image can make the difference between the person who has just attends a church or to one who lives its teachings. It tells about our beliefs and how we regard life in general. As one looks at their life, they are reminded constantly that they are only one of the billions that inhabit this world and that they are an important part of it. The very way one lives is a constant reminder of what is expected of them and where they stand in society. If one has no religion and they have no real beliefs, they have no real concept of how they should live their lives. They think that they are OK; they don't need religion in their life, or do they?

The teachings of one's parents form their personal image that stays with them throughout their lives. For some, just the way they walk, the way they dress, and the look on their face tells all. To others, it's only when they open their mouth that they can be known. And yet, everybody has, what is known as, "off days." For some reason they just keep saying the wrong things or talking when they should be quiet, this can even happen for many days. And yet, one's image changes from day to day and minute to minute.

We are told in the Bible and by our parents not to judge others "lest ye be judged." And yet, we can't help judging everyone we meet. It seems that we are taught to judge others from the time of our birth in order to be able to survive in a "hostel" world. This is seen in every walk of life from the poorest to the richest. We judge others and the question may come up, "how can we change that image? "Can going to church change one's image?" I believe that the answer is yes. Going to church and studying their belief system and teachings can change a person's image and very outlook on life. I have known criminals who became "born again Christians" and developed an image that presents to everyone they meet an image of humbleness and loving care and respect. These people have discovered within themselves their true nature - the real person. It does not matter how it happened - the fact is it did. Did the church give this to them? The true image of a person is within. Church is only one place where one's image can be developed.

In the Spiritualist church, we teach personal responsibility. This teaching goes beyond anything that is taught in the school of life and produces an image of our teachings that is reflected in our very lives. We are taught from an early age that life is the "pits" and "we are to do them before they can do us" - what ever that means. The church has its own image. The church represents God, a way of life, a way of looking at things that reflect one's true beliefs.

Can the church help people develop a new image for themselves? I believe so. The Spiritualist church through their teaching of the "Principle of Personal Responsibility" provides the most effective means of changing one's personal image. It is the "Golden Rule" in action. One man wrote about his work as a psychologist in Hawaii and how he took personal responsibility to a new level. He took personal responsibility to mean that he was responsible for the criminally insane men that he worked with and through his understanding, brought sanity to those men. Through his work on himself, the men were rehabilitated and moved to prisons where they were no longer a threat to themselves and the lives of others. He understood that it was him that caused those men to be insane in the first place. So he simply worked on himself. He went within to correct the source of the insanity and cure the illness. As you can see, one man's personal image of himself and practicing personal responsibility made the difference. He changed the image that others had of themselves to become who they really were. A lesson we can all learn.

I had never thought about personal responsibility in the terms that this psychologists did, and it made me think of just how important my own image is and how as a Spiritualist my image is reflected in the lives of others. We have the truth about life through personal responsibility. A responsibility, that presents an image of our selves and our teachings. What a difference we could make in this world.