On 26th May 2008 the Fraudulent Mediums Act 1951 c.3 was repealed and replaced by the Consumers Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (1277). This legislation originated from Europe and was introduced into the UK by The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR), but it seems the UK government decided to include the Fraudulent Mediums Act (FMA) as well.

The outcome of this change in law means that if gifts or money is exchanged between Spiritualist/Psychic Medium and recipient of the reading, a contract has been made and the Medium must deliver exactly what they are saying they can do. Spiritualist Mediums claim they can communicate with our loved ones and friends who have ‘died’ to prove there is an afterlife, and since an afterlife has not been proven by the scientific community it is not recognised that Mediums can actually communicate with those who have ‘died’. Therefore, the Spiritualist National Union (SNU) has recommended Mediums to use a disclaimer but this may or may not hold up in a court of law. The change in law has been widely publicised by the media stating that Mediums must now say that readings are for ‘entertainment purposes only’.

Everyone in the Spiritualist Movement would agree that a change in law is a good thing if it protects the individual being ripped off by unscrupulous con-artists/rogue traders; it gives genuine Mediums a bad reputation. Statistics provided by the Office of Fair Trading showed that the Psychic Industry made £40 million between 2006 and 2007 in the UK (sourced on The Glasgow Herald, June 2nd 2008 website). However, I have serious reservations that by making Spiritualist and Psychic Mediums state readings are for ‘entertainment purposes only’ will have the desired effect (BERR) are seeking. For example, a theatre critic gives a rave review on a London show and on this basis I spend £40 on a ticket, but when I saw the show it did not meet my expectations and I was disappointed. I cannot claim my money back from the misleading information from the theatre critic or the theatre because entertainment is a personal thing. Spiritualist readings are the same, what one person accepts as good evidence another person may be disappointed.

Unwittingly, I believe the government by including the FMA in the Consumer Protection Regulations has opened the door even wider for the con-artist, and it will attract even more dishonest people to ply their trade under Spiritualist and Psychic Mediums. For instance, I go for a reading and the Medium does not have to make any genuine attempt to provide factual information and it has given them permission to say outlandish things and I would have no recourse because the reading is for entertainment purposes only. I was not ‘entertained’ but the Medium was highly amused! It was my choice to spend the money to be ‘entertained’.

The government/BERR probably believes that by forcing Mediums into the position of using the disclaimer for ‘entertainment purposes only’ will prevent people from parting with their money. Though the change in law does prohibit the claims that Spiritualist Mediums can contact the afterlife, or Psychics can tell you your fortune, I do not think it will have much effect on the Psychic Industry because people will always want some form of guidance, hope, comfort etc. The government needs to address this problem in a different way (click here to see proposal) because this change in law has a more serious repercussion. It has impacted upon the religious beliefs of Spiritualism and its respectability; Spiritualism has lost face, it is now wide open for ridicule and humiliation. No respecting religion deserves that.

There are many people who believe that religion should not be an excuse to hide behind, and I agree, that is why I believe another way should be found to deal with the fraudsters, but nonetheless Spiritualism is a recognised religion and should be accorded the same respect from the government it gives the Christians, Muslims, Jewish faiths etc. The government has forced us to publically humiliate our beliefs by unjustly forcing Spiritualists to state our religious beliefs are purely for entertainment only, it is totally unacceptable. And I am sure if we were one of those mainstream religions there would be a public outcry and accusations of religious discrimination being thrown at the Government.

Since the UK is a democratic society with everyone entitled to equal rights, all religions should be treated the same. The Human Rights Act 1998 Article 9 – Freedom of thought, conscience and religion states:

1. Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief and freedom, either alone or in a community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief, in worship, teaching, practice and observance.

Therefore, on this basis all UK religions should now state for ‘entertainment purposes only’. My argument is that Spiritualism is the only religion that actually tries to prove there is an afterlife instead of just making promises that other faiths make. Spiritualist Mediums are crucial to our religion they are pro-actively trying to support the religious and philosophical claims Spiritualism makes, instead of simply leaving it to a matter of faith. For example, when an individual visits their church representative who promises them God’s forgiveness, where is the scientific proof that God actually said to the church representative that the individual before them would be forgiven? The church representative could say anything giving false hope to that person. Some people may argue that this is not the same because Mediums charge, but it must be noted that churchgoers do support the church financially. Therefore, the church representative should now be stating to its congregation that for ‘entertainment purposes only God has forgiven you!’

The situation is ludicrous, and why should Spiritualism be penalised for a minority group who have spoilt it because of their get rich quick schemes? All religions have the right to be treated and respected the same. Mainstream religions have financial support often investments have accumulated over the centuries and therefore can pay an income to their church representatives. Spiritualism does not have this luxury. We need to charge people to help pay for hire of halls, the Mediums, who are in essence our church representatives, a fee. Spiritualism is not financially viable, it is sad, but a harsh reality of life that bills, food, clothing etc have to be paid for.

I understand and agree with the reasons why BERR have addressed the whole issue of the Medium con-artists who just happen to hide behind our religion to make money, but the government have set Spiritualism back 100 years since it took Spiritualists that long to gain recognition in the first place. There is a more suitable solution other than forcing Spiritualism to say it is a religion for ‘entertainment purpose only’ and victimising the Spiritualist for their beliefs. Every religion has a serious side and moral point to make and Spiritualism is no different. The Spiritualist Movement as a whole needs to work together with the Office of Fair Trading to make sure the con-artist is held accountable for their unscrupulous actions. The government needs to re-instate the respectability of Spiritualism as a valued religion in the eyes of the general public instead of labelling Spiritualism as religious entertainment.




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