Spiritism: Much More Than a Religion

Marcus De Mario

It is common to hear the question “What is your religion?” and to receive the answer “I am a Spiritist.” With this information, the next question is usually which Spiritist center the person attends, or, if there is confusion about what Spiritism is and isn’t, whether the person attends a “white table” center or another type, referring to Afro-Brazilian religions such as Umbanda and Candomblé. Upon clarifying that the “line” followed is Kardec’s, the exclamation “Ah, you’re a Kardecist!” immediately follows. All of this is very common, but entirely mistaken and erroneous.

Spiritism, to begin with, is not simply a religion; it has no connection to Catholicism, Protestantism—which here in Brazil is known as the evangelical movement—or to Afro-Brazilian religions, all of which deserve our deepest respect. Before being a religion, Spiritism is a philosophy with scientific foundations.

It should be understood that it is not a formal religion; that is, it has no dogmas, rituals, sacraments, or organized priesthood; it does not use images, incense, vestments, or special robes; it has no altars, symbols, or worship of anyone. Spiritism is a religion in spirit and truth, which revives the Gospel through the study of Jesus’ moral teachings, utilizing the principles of the immortality of the soul, reincarnation, and the Divine Law of Progress. From this perspective, we can say that Spiritism is a religion because of the moral implications of its principles, but—let this be clear—it is not a formal religion.

A Spiritist center, therefore, cannot be compared or equated with a church. It is a hub of fraternity and solidarity, where simplicity and humility must reign, providing its adherents with a place for study, inner growth, communication with the discarnate, and the practice of charity. All without any kind of ritual or formality, which does not mean that there is no organization or discipline—both of which are always necessary for the success of a good endeavor.

Spiritism, or the Spiritist Doctrine, is one and the same; there are no “branches.” There is no “White Table” Spiritism, Kardecist Spiritism, Umbanda Spiritism, Kardecism, and so on. There is only Spiritism as we find it very well established in the works authored by Allan Kardec, which present, in an organized manner, the teachings of the Spirits.

The true religion of the Spiritist is love for one’s neighbor and the practice of charity. The difference is that the Spiritist believes in life after death, understands the sovereignty of God’s designs, knows that discarnate and incarnate beings are in constant exchange, comprehends the mechanisms of the Law of Cause and Effect, and accepts reincarnation as an instrument of evolution. The true Spiritist seeks to elevate themselves, in the sense of developing their feelings and achieving moral improvement.

To be a follower of Spiritism, one does not necessarily need to be affiliated with a Spiritist center. We recognize the importance of the Spiritist center and its usefulness, but there is no provision or rule stating that, to be a Spiritist, one must be affiliated with a Spiritist center. This is done voluntarily, of one’s own free will.

In the conclusion of *The Spirits’ Book*, in section six, Allan Kardec states that “it would be a very false conception of Spiritism to believe that its strength derives from the practice of material manifestations (…) Its strength lies in its philosophy, in its appeal to reason and common sense.”

Spiritism is a science that studies life after death and the exchange between the discarnate and the incarnate. From this science emerges an entire philosophy that leads us to new ideas about life. And from this philosophy arise broad and profound moral consequences, based on the Gospel, understood in spirit and truth.

Therefore, anyone who believes that Spiritism is merely a religion has a very false idea of it. The confusion surrounding it stems, in most cases, from ignorance of its principles, for many people speak of what they do not know, repeating what others, with little or limited knowledge, have said. It is the mission of true Spiritists to clarify what Spiritism truly is, and that is precisely what we are doing.

Studying to Understand

Why should we always study Spiritism? This is the question many people ask us, believing that it is enough to know the principles of the doctrine, work at the Spiritist center, and, when applicable, practice mediumship—and that’s it. Why join a study group? Why read all of Allan Kardec’s works? And if one is a medium, isn’t it enough to be an instrument of the Spirits during a mediumistic session? Let us answer these and other questions with Kardec himself, based on texts from The Spirits’ Book and The Mediums’ Book.

Let us begin with the Codifier’s words in the introduction to The Spirits’ Book:

“The study of a doctrine such as Spiritism, which suddenly plunges us into an order of things so new and vast, cannot be undertaken profitably except by serious, persevering individuals, free from prejudice and animated by a firm and sincere desire to reach a conclusion. We cannot classify as such those who judge a priori, lightly, without having seen everything: those who do not bring to their studies the necessary continuity, regularity, and concentration.”

Still in the same section 8, he expands on this thought:

“What characterizes a serious study is consistency. Should we be surprised that we do not obtain sensible answers to naturally serious questions when we ask them haphazardly and abruptly, amidst ridiculous questions? A complex issue requires, in order to be clarified, preliminary or supplementary questions. Anyone who wishes to acquire a Science must study it methodically, starting at the beginning and following its chain of ideas.”

In item 17, we find this serious warning from Kardec:

“Spiritist Science consists of two parts: one experimental, concerning manifestations in general; the other philosophical, concerning intelligent manifestations. Anyone who has observed only the first will be in the position of one who knows Physics only through recreational experiments, without having penetrated the Science. The true Spiritist Doctrine lies in the teachings given by the Spirits, and the knowledge contained in these teachings is too serious to be acquired by any means other than through deep and continuous study, conducted in silence and contemplation. For it is only under these conditions that an infinite number of facts and their nuances—which escape the superficial observer and which allow one to form a firm opinion—can be observed.”

Allan Kardec makes it clear that Spiritism must be studied with perseverance, method, and seriousness, and that this takes time, for Spiritism is a philosophical and scientific doctrine with moral implications; hence the importance of studying it consistently.

In the conclusion of *The Spirits’ Book*, we find the following words by Kardec:

“It would be a grave misunderstanding of Spiritism to believe that its strength derives from the practice of

material manifestations and that, therefore, by preventing such manifestations, one can undermine

its foundations. Its strength lies in its philosophy, in its appeal to reason and common sense.”

In the introduction to The Mediums’ Book, we find the following teachings: “Every day, experience confirms our opinion that the difficulties and disappointments encountered in Spiritist practice stem from ignorance of doctrinal principles.”

We believe that the answer to the question “Why should we always study Spiritism?” is already sufficiently clear, demonstrating that the true Spiritist is one who devotes all their efforts, all their energy, to understanding Spiritism and applying it to themselves. This can only happen if one consistently studies the Spiritist Doctrine, in order to put it into practice effectively.