ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses competition and conflict between individuals and between groups. It is concerned with the undercurrents which disturb the otherwise ordinarily peaceful encounters with spirit. On the one hand, spiritualists are involved in a search for personal salvation; whilst on the other hand, they find that encounters with spirit offer and tempt towards a search for personal power. Competition for status exists not only between individual group members, but also between circles and between churches and circles. The relationship between church and circle is an ambivalent one. Competition between individuals for the acquisition of spiritual rewards is reflected in relationships between groups. Conflict is expressed in the mutual criticism exchanged between the developing circle and other spiritualist churches. On average, between half-an-hour and an hour is devoted each week to general conversation in the course of which other groups and mediums are fiercely criticized.
