Conan Doyle's Reply to the Bishops
Conan Doyle's Reply to the Bishops is an article published in The Globe on 7 may 1920.
Conan Doyle's Reply to the Bishops
MATERIALISM, NOT SPIRITUALISM, AS THE REAL CURSE OF THE AGE.
CHURCH CRITICISED.
TRUE RELIGION OF LOOKING "BEYOND THE SORDID WORLD" — FEW PSYCHIC LUNATICS.
"THE GLOBE" is able to day to publish Sir A. Conan Doyle's reply to the four Bishops, who, in these columns recently, denounced Spiritualism on various grounds.
The distinguished author defends Spiritualism in his usual trenchant style, and complains of "that most subtle form of materialism which clothes itself in the outward trappings of religion, but has nothing of the real spirit within."
He concludes with an appeal that the Bishops shall read at least one book sympathetic to the subject, and not solely writings by its enemies and traducers.
"CHURCH DELAYS PROGRESS."
By SIR A. CONAN DOYLE.
It would be difficult to recall any great forward movement of the human race which has not met with opposition from the Church of the time — the supreme example being recorded in the New Testament. Such protests delay progress, but cannot ultimately hinder it, for God is the great Reformer and must prevail.
REAL CURSE OF THE AGE.
It is an extraordinary thing that prelates cannot perceive that materialism is the real curse of the age, and especially that most subtle form of materialism which clothes itself in the outward trappings of religion but has nothing of the real spirit within.
If this were clearly understood then earnest men of all sects would see that in Spiritualism, with its definite proofs of independent post-mortem existence, there is such a reinforcement for true religion as has not been since the apostolic age.
| WHAT THE BISHOPS SAID.
Bishop of Hereford. — For ordinary people spiritualistic investigations are mentally and morally debilitating-investigations so heavily shadowed by fraud. Bishop of Norwich. — So far as it relates to communicating "beyond the veil," I do not think we can find anything so comforting as the Fellowship of Christ. Bishop of Truro. — If the future were not veiled from our eyes, life would be hardly toler able. Bishop of Lichfield.-My opinions are those expressed in Canon J. M. Wilson's admirable lectures (in which opposition to "controls" and "mediums was expounded). |
"BEYOND THE SORDID WORLD."
What matter the smaller adjustments if this great object be attained and the honest agnostic be given something sure and definite which will carry his thoughts beyond the sordid world around us and give him assurance of ultimate justice and most glorious compensation?
It is all very well for the Bishop of Norwich to say that we ought to have this assurance as it is. We have to deal with facts, and as a fact great numbers of the most acute and earnest minds in the country do not find strength or comfort in that which suffices for the Bishop's spiritual needs. Speaking for myself, I cannot conceive of any arguments which could have prevailed against those of materialism, which are so formidable that the Church never fairly faces them.
LUNACY.
It was only my actual experience which taught me the basic facts of supernatural religion-that the individual carries on, and that spiritual evolution and improvement are the objects of our existence.
If the contention of the Bishop of Hereford were correct we should expect to find a high rate of lunacy among the spiritual communities, who are now a numerous body in this country. This is notoriously not so. On the contrary, they are a remark ably healthy set of people and contribute far fewer than their quota to the asylums.
It is surely a matter of common knowledge that Spiritualism has greatly increased during the last five years. During that time there has been marked drop in the lunacy statistics.
RISKS OF PSYCHIC PROGRESS.
How can the Bishop of Hereford reconcile that fact with his assertion that the cult leads to mental and moral debilitation?
Over excitement and abuse of anything is harmful, but that applies equally to every religion under the sun. My own view is that even if it took a considerable sacrifice of human reason or life to establish so vital a proposition as personal survival it would be well worth while.
No such payment has as yet been demanded of us, but when we consider how many victims were claimed by the motor-car or the aeroplane before they reached success, it seems strange that we should exaggerate the risks which may attach to psychic progress.
CONFUSED WITH FORTUNE-TELLING.
The Bishop of Truro seems to confuse Spiritualism with fortune-telling. I can assure him that most earnest Spiritualists are opposed to fortune-telling, and discourage it in every way.
It seems to be a fact that some people have a perception of coming events which is more detailed than can be ascribed to chance.
But I agree that if they are good we can afford to wait, and if they are evil a foreknowledge adds to their terror. This has no direct bearing upon the question of spiritualism, though it cannot be denied that prophecy is among the spiritual (or mediumistic) gifts mentioned by St. Paul.
APPEAL FOR FAIR HEARING.
As the Bishops will son be called upon to consider this all-important question, I would earnestly and respectfully beg them to read at least one book which is sympathetic with the subject and written with knowledge.
To read books written by its enemies and traducers, such as Canon Barnes or the Rev. A. V. Magee, is as fair as it would be for an inquirer to gain his knowledge of the Church from the writings of Bradlaugh or Ingersoll.
The particular book which I should recommend as covering every aspect of the matter is "Man's Survival After Death," by the Rev. C. L. Tweedale, published by Grant Richards.
