Loading...
Larger font
Smaller font
Copy
Print
Contents
The Conditionalist Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 2 - Contents
  • Results
  • Related
  • Featured
No results found for: "".
  • Weighted Relevancy
  • Content Sequence
  • Relevancy
  • Earliest First
  • Latest First
    Larger font
    Smaller font
    Copy
    Print
    Contents

    CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR: Parapsychology-Spiritualism’s “New Frontier”

    I. Spiritualism’s Scientific Front Making Significant Advances

    As ofttimes stated, man has from of old sought to penetrate the mysteries of death and to communicate with the denizens of the “spirit world.” Today the approach has been altered to accord with the demands of the Atomic Age, and the vocabulary has been revised to comport with the nuclear era. Spiritualism is now operating in a scientific-laboratory setting. But its essence and its goal remain unchanged-“to convince skeptics of the immortality of the soul,” as one noted exponent has frankly put it. More than ever in the new format Spiritualism still claims to constitute the master key, the only key, that unlocks the mysteries of the invisible world.CFF2 1124.1

    Many men of science have been intrigued by the phenomena of parapsychology research. The then-managing editor of The Ministry brought together in the July and August issues of 1958 some highly important statements, two of which are here cited. Dr. Hereward Carrington, director of the American Psychical Institute, says, “Many of us regard psychical research as ‘the most important work being done in the world today.’” 11) Hereward Carrington, Mysterious Psych:c Phenomena (1954), p. 155. And the late Harry Price, noted English researcher, similarly held that “the investigation of parapsychical phenomena” is the “‘most important of all work.’” 22) Harry Price, Search for Truth (1942), p. 296.CFF2 1124.2

    1. DR. S. G. SOAL-BRITISH PIONEER IN PSYCHIC RESEARCH

    One of the British pioneers was Dr. SAMUEL G. SOAL, of Queen Mary College, London University, and president of the Society for Psychical Research, long-time teacher of mathematics. His interest in psychic research was first aroused by the loss of a brother in World War I. For a quarter of a century he pursued this study with such devotion that he acquired international fame and distinction in the field. One of his publications is Experiments in Precognitive Telepathy (1943), as well as numerous scholarly periodical articles. He received the degree of D.Sc. in Psychology from the University of London (1945), and lectured widely in the United States. His pioneering work inspired the development of Dr. J. B. Rhine’s researches at Duke University, in Durham, North Carolina, noted later.CFF2 1125.1

    Soal investigated Spiritualist mediums with their “luminous cards,” “sepulchral voices,” “floating trumpets,” and “ghostly fingers” and other phenomena. In his investigations he sought to “eliminate the possibility of fraud,” and to place “psychical research, particularly work on telepathy on a thoroughly sound basis.” 33) S.L.G. “Know Your Staff No. 21-Dr. S. G. Soal,” The Cub (Queen Mary College paper), Oct. 2, 1951.CFF2 1125.2

    Picture 1: Dr. J. B. Rhine
    Dr. J. B. Rhine, testing for discarnate spirits, and Duke University, scene of parapsychology laboratory experiments on “scientific” basis.
    Page 1125
    CFF2 1125

    Larger font
    Smaller font
    Copy
    Print
    Contents