[abbondanzieri]

You cannot call a psychic a fraud dependent upon the amount of money they charge for a reading.

That's kinda the point i was trying to make! how do you tell a 'genuine' from a 'fraud'? do mediums (media??) have to pass a test of some kind and enrol in "the institute of mediumship"?

[Sibyl]

If you hold a certificate or diploma, in mediumship, of The Spiritualists' National Union (the largest Spiritualist organisation in the UK) then you have studied the theory and mechanics of mediumship; had your mediumship observed over a long period of time and then it is assessed by your peers. If you ever fall below the standard the SNU expects of its mediums then the award is removed.

The problem is Churches and individuals booking mediums dont know this or dont care; there is no obligation placed upon them to only book such mediums and to be quite frank there isnt enough of them to go around in any case. Most people are quite happy to start reading, without any study or training whatsoever, and we end up with accusations of fraud where it is quite often just good old-fashioned ignorance. Uncontrolled and uneducated mediumship causes just as many problems as do the people setting themselves up as mediums to make a good living out of people's vulnerability and grief.

Hope this helps

[abbondanzieri]

thanks sibyl, that's exactly the sort of info i was after

[paranormalpi]

Put in another way.If you are able to see/sens/hear..etc..the spirits your whole world changes completly. Neither money nor richness would mean anything to you anymore after that. This is what i was trying to say.

Patrick

[dragonfly]

i agree i give free readings and have been doing for years whats the point in asking for money its a gift and i am just passing it on. i have money from my job i dont need money from this gift i have, i dont know what else to do with it other than pass on what i get to the relevant people, i dont choose who cantacts me it just happens if i was to charge and i couldnt get who they wanted how would that warrent a charge?

[Leslie]

Hello everyone,

This is my first post here and hopefully one of many

First of all may I say, how wonderful it is to find this forum! Being able to discuss issues, concerns, thoughts and ideas with like minded individuals is a an invaluable tool. Both for 'newcomers' to the World of Mediumship and for those with a genuine interest in all things 'physic'. Having read a great number of the topics here, the reason I joined was the genuine warmth generated by members, combined with the willingness to keep an open mind and discuss matters (such as this post) about scams etc... Such an environment is more than needed - and I thank those responsible for giving it to us

Sorry about the little ramble... I'll try to reply to this post now ;)

Scams are nothing new. Whether they are related to spiritualism or anything else... Sadly, for some, it's part of their nature. They see an opportunity - and exploit it. For example, how may towns in the old wild west, received with open arms the seller of the elixir or life? The cure for all ailments?
Some time ago, the Times newspaper asked Ford cars, why they charge more for their vehicles here in the UK than they do in the rest of Europe? Okay this is not a 'scam' but it does prove my point a little - the reply was "We only charge what the market is willing to pay". This, therefore throws the flip side over to us.... Scammers only exist because sadly, others are willing to 'buy' from them or pay them money. Yes... The 'vulnerable'.

We are all 'vulnerable' to some extreme.... However, becuase we may be a little more enlightened in one subject, more than another, our vulnerability fluctuates from subject to subject. Me.... I prefer to sleep peacefully at night, sound in the knowledge that during my waking hours, I have not intentionally hurt, harmed or upset anyone. Some people do not share this philosophy - being perfectly able to sleep like a mouse, despite having scammed others.....

sibyl:

If you hold a certificate or diploma, in mediumship, of The Spiritualists' National Union (the largest Spiritualist organisation in the UK) then you have studied the theory and mechanics of mediumship; had your mediumship observed over a long period of time and then it is assessed by your peers. If you ever fall below the standard the SNU expects of its mediums then the award is removed.

Forgive me if I disagree slightly with this statement. Why? Because I also feel it 'could' have a negative impact. Let me explain.....
Many, many years ago, I visited a private sitting by a very well know, rising star within the Physic World (I will not publish names for obvious reasons). He was heralded as one of the UK's best mediums, by the Spiritualists' National Union, who at every opportunity wrote about him in their public press releases.
I, like many others was taken in by his 'so called' skills... However a couple of months after my visiting the sitting, he was uncovered as a fraud. His methods and deceit exposed to all. Sadly, some members of the Spiritualists' National Union, still believe in him? However, he not only held the certification you mention - but received their full endorsement at every opportunity.... Had he not been exposed, how many people would have been misled, scammed and possibly hurt by the person - all with the full blessing and certification that you mention?

The example above is not the only one I could mention. There are others. Please do not feel that this is a reflection on any who 'does' hold the Spiritualists' National Union certification... As there are many, many more genuine 'good' and true people who do, thankfully more than those as I have mentioned. My point is, that the system is not infallible... and should be the sole recommendation of a holders ability or genuineness.

I was going to touch a little on charging for ones services, but think I have rambled on enough for my first post ;) If you made it this far.... thank you

[Sibyl]

Hi Leslie

You really have me puzzled as to who this medium can be because if anyone had their award removed I would know of it (we have a wonderful grapevine) plus the fact the SNU really dont promote individual mediums; mediums may promote themselves, as many do, inside and out of the Union.

The Union is not infallible but at least it does have an education, training and awards system in place at a high standard, where many other organisations do not and this has to be a step in the right direction to getting mediumship acknowledged if nothing else

luv
vi

[J-lynn]

I couldn't agree more with dragonfly or paranormalpi. I don't need money for this gift I have. Make money off of helping people in need? It just seems so wrong to me. It makes me very uncomfortable when psychics charge and to be honest it DOES make me question a couple things... especially if it's BIG money. However, I'm not saying that there aren't genuine psychics that make a living off of it. But, like I said before, It does seem wrong (and it is wrong in my opinion) and I never saw all the great heros in the past charge people for help. Sorry, but no!

J-Lynn

[PrincessKLS]

Originally Posted by J-lynn

I couldn't agree more with dragonfly or paranormalpi. I don't need money for this gift I have. Make money off of helping people in need? It just seems so wrong to me. It makes me very uncomfortable when psychics charge and to be honest it DOES make me question a couple things... especially if it's BIG money. However, I'm not saying that there aren't genuine psychics that make a living off of it. But, like I said before, It does seem wrong (and it is wrong in my opinion) and I never saw all the great heros in the past charge people for help. Sorry, but no!

J-Lynn

J-Lynn you are young, you don't quite understand but people need to make a living. That is why some psychics choose to sell readings. Sometimes they have no other interest, other than their gifts or New Age related stuff such as crystals, runes, etc. You need to stop being so judgemental. And I'm 10 years older than you, trust me, I know a little better.

P.S. There's also people who work for charities who actually get paid and they don't volunteer for free. In this economy I see nothing wrong with that.

[J-lynn]

Well Karen,
If you actually read my post you would realize that yes, I do realize "...genuine psychics that make a living off of it." I fully understand people need to make a living. I just am expressing MY OPINION how It seems wrong to me for psychics to make money off of helping people... but w/e. I also do not really care how many years older you are then me. I don't think it really matters either. I am very mature for my age and I am very advanced... so to speak. just because I'm young, doesn't mean that I'm dumb or un-aware.
"P.S. There's also people who work for charities who actually get paid and they don't volunteer for free..." Yes I'm fully aware of that. But not all people who work for charities posses powers. :wink: