The SNU

The SNU is the abbreviation for the Spiritualists’ National Union, which is the largest UK administrative body of the Religion, Science and Philosophy of Spiritualism. In actuality, the SNU is a company which is limited by guarantee. Unlike other limited company’s, there are no shareholders as such. Instead there are individual voting members, known as Class B members and Church representatives, who have a democratic right to vote for the members of each committee within the SNU. Should the Union be financially liquidated, each Class B member agrees to pay the sum of 50p. This stipulation is in accordance with the ‘guarantee’ element of the company and includes the fact that the SNU is a non-profit making organisation. It does indeed have ‘charitable status.’

The SNU was formed in late 1901 and by July 1902 it was then incorporated under the companies act and became a registered charity. This enabled the SNU to hold property and assets. This was particularly important with regard to the safekeeping of Spiritualist Churches for its members. Prior to this, only individuals could be named as the trustees of churches and many were lost upon the trustee’s transition to the spirit world, to family beneficiaries with no interest in Spiritualism. Thus, the SNU as trustees could hold property in trust, for the exclusive use of the advancement and service of Spiritualism for the people.

All limited companies are required to have a ‘memorandum of association.’ This memorandum specifies the general character of the organisation, its objectives and the articles of association, which show how the organisation will work. The articles may be supplemented, such as in the case of the byelaws. They may only be altered (within limits) by a three fourths majority voting at a general meeting. The objects however, define the objectives of the SNU and it is with these that our focus as an organisation is defined.

There are nearly 30 objects defined in the memorandum of association, however, the section which legally governs the identification of Spiritualists and Spiritualism within the SNU, are found in paragraph 3.b. Paragraph 3.a. is concerned with the succession rights of property and assets upon the formation of the SNU, from the Spiritualist’ National Federation. Paragraph 3.b is at the heart of the organisation and is as follows:

(b) To promote the advancement and diffusion (particularly in the United Kingdom) of a knowledge of the religion and religious philosophy of Spiritualism. Such religion and religious philosophy is generally understood to recognise and for the purposes of this Memorandum shall be considered as recognising, the following principles-

1. The Fatherhood of God
2. The Brotherhood of Man
3. The Communion of Spirits and the Ministry of Angels
4. The continuous existence of the human soul
5. Personal responsibility
6. Compensation & retribution for all good & evil deeds done on earth
7. Eternal progress open to every human soul

and in this Memorandum the words "Spiritualism" and "Spiritualist" shall be construed accordingly.

The SNU is not in itself the religion, philosophy or science of all Spiritualism. It is the UK administrative body which also has overseas links. It has a clear, tiered structure of administration, with aims compatible with the first part of the objects at paragraph 3.b. Education, training, philosophical research, finance, publicity, Ministers administration, charity, healing and lyceum work are all represented by their respective SNU committees. In turn their work is disseminated to the members and churches and is also available for the general enquirer too. The tiered system of administration will be detailed later. However, it is suffice to comment that the SNU administration is electively democratic and concerned with all aspects of the advancement and diffusion of the knowledge of the religion and religious philosophy of Spiritualism.

At the core of Spiritualism are the seven principles. These principles were incorporated into the SNU when it was legally established. Originally it is thought there were six, but upon legal advice they became seven. Instead of a holy book, scriptures or texts purporting to be the word of ‘God’, Spiritualism has these 7 principles as its cornerstone and they are open to personal interpretation.

Their origin is particularly special to Spiritualism as they were given through the trance mediumship of a very fine medium and advocate of Spiritualism - Emma Hardinge Britten. They are the words of the social reformer and co-founder of the cooperative society, Robert Owen, given in the presence of his son - Robert Dale Owen. What is particularly relevant to Spiritualism, is that at the very heart of the religion and philosophy, there is no claim that it was founded on the accounts of others who were claiming to have direct contact with either ‘God’ or one of his representatives. They are the words of an ordinary man, given to an ordinary woman, who was in contact with the spirit world.

Spiritualism offers a way of life and it can be no coincidence that such beautiful philosophy, originated from a man who was a social reformer in his earthly existence. As there is no creed or dogma attached to Spiritualism, the incorporation of the 7 principles into the objects of the SNU offers philosophical inspiration to its adherents and enquirers - without the complexities and arguments over interpretation. Each principle is worthy of study and reflection and may be incorporated into our daily lives.

Arguments continue as to whether the principles should be altered, updated, shortened or lengthened, but it is interesting that they are over 100 years old and have remained unaltered since their adoption by the SNU.

The SNU and its objects are interdependent. They require each other to exist as the legally recognised, largest Spiritualist organisation in the UK and possibly the world. Furthermore, they comply with the companies act and the charity commissioners and are also the source of beautiful Spiritualist philosophy and the truths regarding the Spiritual nature of everyone - past or present.