` ::Instead of spirits perhaps we should clarify it as ``spirits of the dead``, just so it's clear the corpse of the dead person isn't present; also, scientists don't really dispute that mediumship is communication between the living and the dead, just that there is communication between the liivng and the dead. So with some further refinement: ::Mediumship is defined as the practice of certain people—known as mediums—to mediate communication between spirits of the dead and other human beings. While no evidence has been accepted by the wider scientific community in support of the view that there has been communication between the living and the dead, some parapsychologists say that some of their research suggests that such communication may have taken place.  The practice is associated with several religious belief systems such as Spiritualism, Spiritism, Espiritismo, Candomblé, Voodoo, Umbanda and some New Age groups. ::In response to Tom's concern's above, I think the mainstream standpoint should take precedence, so we should introduce it first, ahead of the parapsychology view. Also, I think while we all agree and know what mainstream science is, by using the terminology we paint anything outside of the ``mainstream`` into the corner as a ``fringe science``, and I think that should be left to the article on parapsychology.   `