(05-25-2015, 03:42 PM)loetar44 Wrote: Historians have taken statements that Lincoln was not interested in spiritualism or any other metaphysical beliefs as definitive proof that all claims he did were exaggerations. But where is the real proof? That question intrigues me.
And if Lincoln did believe, why are his metaphysical beliefs generally viewed sympathetically, while Mary’s similar beliefs are nearly universally condemned...
I think the following shows Lincoln was very skeptical about "Spiritualism". He may have tolerated them as a way for Mary to deal with her grief.
This is about one of the spiritualist from Eva's link.
http://www.mrlincolnswhitehouse.org/insi...ubjectID=2
You can read "Washington in Lincoln's Time" by Noah Brooks
https://books.google.com/books?id=KWlIrA...&q&f=false