"The Spiritist Doctrine is the philosophy that deals with the nature, the origin and the
destiny of Spirits, as well as their relationship with the corporeal or material world.
destiny of Spirits, as well as their relationship with the corporeal or material world.
The Spiritist Doctrine is not the work of any one person; no one can claim to have created
it. It is as old as creation itself. Its fundamental principles are
found in all religions. The unique contribution of the Spiritist Doctrine has been to make a
coherent of what has, until now, been scattered. It has been, further, to explain in clear and
precise terms what has been previously been
obscured by the language of allegory, and to eliminate the products of superstition and
ignorance from human belief, leaving only what is real and
actual. Primarily, it integrates concepts that are found in all cultures and ages.
Yet what reasons could there be for opposing the spread of Spiritist ideas?
Those ideas, it is true are a protest against abuses springing from pride and
selfishness. Such abuses, while benefiting a few, are harmful to many; and the Doctrine
would, therefore, have the people on its side, leaving only the exploiters of humanity as its
adversaries. When widely felt, its influence will
make human beings less greedy, more benevolent toward one another, and more in
harmony with the dictates of Providence. In a broader context, it will help bring more order
and tranquillity to society.
It would be hoping too much of human nature to imagine that it could suddenly be
transformed by Spiritist ideas. Undoubtedly, the extent to which these ideas will penetrate
will vary greatly. But, however slight the penetration may be, the Spiritist Doctrine will raise
the level of humanity's spiritual awareness and push back materialist notions. This outcome
follows from mere exposure to paranormal phenomena. It will have much greater value for
those who pass beyond the phenomena and experience its beneficial moral effects.
The first and most general of these effects is the development of a religious perspective,
even in people who, while not materialists, are unmindful of spiritual things. It is a
perspective that leads to a degree of indifference to death, to a temperate and rational
acceptance that will allow believers to deal with death without revolt or sadness, and as
something they need not fear. This attitude grows out of the assurance of what follows death.
The second effect of the Spiritist Doctrine is resignation in the face of life's trials. The
Doctrine leads us to consider everything from an elevated point of view, thereby diminishing
the importance we attach to life on Earth and making its hardships less painful.
Consequently, we have more courage in difficult time, are able to control our desires, and
become firmly opposed to the idea of suicide, which we know will not bring us the
consolation we seek.
The certainty of a future in which we can assure our own happiness, and the possibility of
re-establishing relations with those who are dear to us, are the highest motivations of the
Spiritist. Further, we view the exercise of living from a deathless and mystery-free
perspective.
The third effect is a greater tolerance for the flaws and needs of others. Tolerance, it is true,
often runs headlong against selfishness, one of the most tenacious and difficult human flaws
to eradicate. Generally, we are willing
to make sacrifices provided they impose no real privations on us. Unfortunately, few people
today use the word "tolerance" without associating it with the self. Thus, the willingness to
sacrifice one's self interest is the most visible indicator of progress.
It is sometimes asked whether the spirits teach us anything new in the way of ethical
principals, anything superior to the teachings of Christ. Further, the question arises as to
what use the Spiritist Doctrine is if its moral teachings are the same as those of the Gospels.
Jesus came to show us the road of true goodness. God sent him to awaken human beings to
the Divine law they had forgotten. Why then should God not send spirits to remind us once
again, in clear terms, of principles we seem at present to have overlooked in our devotion to
pride and material gain? We cannot set the bounds to the power of God or dictate the
Divine will. We cannot say with certainty that the promised time has not arrived when truths,
unknown or misunderstood until now, are to be openly proclaimed in order to accelerate
human progress. Isn't there something providential in the fact that spirit manifestations are
presently occurring all over the globe? Nor is it a single person, an isolated prophet, who
comes to arouse us. Light is breaking forth on all sides, and a new world is opening before
our eyes."
Allan Kardec
Selected passages from The Spirits' Book (pgs. 392-395)
it. It is as old as creation itself. Its fundamental principles are
found in all religions. The unique contribution of the Spiritist Doctrine has been to make a
coherent of what has, until now, been scattered. It has been, further, to explain in clear and
precise terms what has been previously been
obscured by the language of allegory, and to eliminate the products of superstition and
ignorance from human belief, leaving only what is real and
actual. Primarily, it integrates concepts that are found in all cultures and ages.
Yet what reasons could there be for opposing the spread of Spiritist ideas?
Those ideas, it is true are a protest against abuses springing from pride and
selfishness. Such abuses, while benefiting a few, are harmful to many; and the Doctrine
would, therefore, have the people on its side, leaving only the exploiters of humanity as its
adversaries. When widely felt, its influence will
make human beings less greedy, more benevolent toward one another, and more in
harmony with the dictates of Providence. In a broader context, it will help bring more order
and tranquillity to society.
It would be hoping too much of human nature to imagine that it could suddenly be
transformed by Spiritist ideas. Undoubtedly, the extent to which these ideas will penetrate
will vary greatly. But, however slight the penetration may be, the Spiritist Doctrine will raise
the level of humanity's spiritual awareness and push back materialist notions. This outcome
follows from mere exposure to paranormal phenomena. It will have much greater value for
those who pass beyond the phenomena and experience its beneficial moral effects.
The first and most general of these effects is the development of a religious perspective,
even in people who, while not materialists, are unmindful of spiritual things. It is a
perspective that leads to a degree of indifference to death, to a temperate and rational
acceptance that will allow believers to deal with death without revolt or sadness, and as
something they need not fear. This attitude grows out of the assurance of what follows death.
The second effect of the Spiritist Doctrine is resignation in the face of life's trials. The
Doctrine leads us to consider everything from an elevated point of view, thereby diminishing
the importance we attach to life on Earth and making its hardships less painful.
Consequently, we have more courage in difficult time, are able to control our desires, and
become firmly opposed to the idea of suicide, which we know will not bring us the
consolation we seek.
The certainty of a future in which we can assure our own happiness, and the possibility of
re-establishing relations with those who are dear to us, are the highest motivations of the
Spiritist. Further, we view the exercise of living from a deathless and mystery-free
perspective.
The third effect is a greater tolerance for the flaws and needs of others. Tolerance, it is true,
often runs headlong against selfishness, one of the most tenacious and difficult human flaws
to eradicate. Generally, we are willing
to make sacrifices provided they impose no real privations on us. Unfortunately, few people
today use the word "tolerance" without associating it with the self. Thus, the willingness to
sacrifice one's self interest is the most visible indicator of progress.
It is sometimes asked whether the spirits teach us anything new in the way of ethical
principals, anything superior to the teachings of Christ. Further, the question arises as to
what use the Spiritist Doctrine is if its moral teachings are the same as those of the Gospels.
Jesus came to show us the road of true goodness. God sent him to awaken human beings to
the Divine law they had forgotten. Why then should God not send spirits to remind us once
again, in clear terms, of principles we seem at present to have overlooked in our devotion to
pride and material gain? We cannot set the bounds to the power of God or dictate the
Divine will. We cannot say with certainty that the promised time has not arrived when truths,
unknown or misunderstood until now, are to be openly proclaimed in order to accelerate
human progress. Isn't there something providential in the fact that spirit manifestations are
presently occurring all over the globe? Nor is it a single person, an isolated prophet, who
comes to arouse us. Light is breaking forth on all sides, and a new world is opening before
our eyes."
Allan Kardec
Selected passages from The Spirits' Book (pgs. 392-395)
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| "Have courage for the great sorrows of life and patience for the small ones; and when you have laboriously accomplished your daily task, go to sleep in peace. God is awake." Victor Hugo |
| "What is the purpose of this strife & struggle if, in the end, I shall disappear like a soap bubble?" Leo Tolstoy, 1879 |
| "Death does not mean cessation of the struggle, but the culmination." Mahatma Ghandi |
What is the Spiritist Doctrine?
