Spiritism comprises the principles and laws revealed by the Superior Spirits, which were codified by Allan Kardec in the books: The Spirit’s Book, The Mediums’ Book; The Gospel According to Spiritism, Heaven and Hell, and Genesis.
“Spiritism is a science that studies the nature, origin and destine of Spirits, as wells as the relations of Spirits with the corporeal world.”
Allan Kardec (What is Spiritism – Preamble)
“Spiritism materializes what Jesus said of the promised Consoler by bringing knowledge that allows mankind to know from where it comes, to where it is going, and why it is on Earth; thereby conducting humanity to the true principles of God’s law and offering consolation through faith and hope.” (Allan Kardec, The Gospel according to Spiritism, Ch. VI, Item 4)
“Spiritism respects all religions and doctrines; values all efforts towards the practice of goodness; works towards peace and fellowship between all nations and all peoples, regardless of race, color, nationality, creed, cultural or social standing. It also recognizes that “the truly good person is one who complies with the laws of justice, love, and charity in their highest degree of purity.” (The Gospel According to Spiritism, Ch. XVII, Item 3)
Spiritism does not impose its principles. It invites those interested in knowing it to submit its teachings to the test of reason before accepting them.
Main Points of the Spiritist Philosophy:
- God is the Supreme Intelligence, first cause of all things. God is eternal, immutable, immaterial, unique, omnipotent, supremely just and good.
- All Laws of Nature are Divine Laws created by God. They cover both the physical and moral laws.
- A Human Being is a Spirit incarnated in a material body. The perispirit is the semi-material body, which unites the Spirit to the physical body.
- Spirits are the intelligent beings of creation. They constitute the world of the Spirits, which pre-exists and outlives everything.
- Spirits are created simple and ignorant. They evolve intellectually and morally, passing from a lower order to a higher one, until they attain perfection, where they will enjoy unalterable bliss.
- Spirits reincarnate as many times as is necessary for their spiritual advancement, but they preserve their individuality before, during, and after each incarnation.
- Jesus is the Guide and Model for all Humankind. The Doctrine He taught and exemplified is the purest expression of God’s Law.
- Human Beings are given free-will to act, but they must answer for the consequences of their actions.
Spiritist Practice
All Spiritist practices are gratuitous, following the orientation of the moral principle found in the Gospel (Mathew, 10:8) : “Give for free what you receive for free.”
- Spiritism is practiced with simplicity, without any external forms of worship, within the Christian principle that God should be worshipped in spirit and in truth.
- Spiritism has no clergy, nor does it adopt or use at any of its meetings or during its practices the following: altars, images, candles, processions, sacraments, concession of indulgences, religious garments, alcoholic or hallucinogenic beverages, incense, tobacco, talismans, amulets, horoscopes, cartomancy, pyramids, crystals, or any other objects, rituals or external forms of worship.
- Spiritist mediumship practice is solely that which is exercised based on the principles of the Spiritist Doctrine and within the Christian moral concepts.