| Long Island Spiritist Doctrine Study Group 941 Union Street. Bohemia, NY 11716. (631)578-9505 ©2011 - All Rights Reserved |
"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. 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)
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)
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"In a word, what characterizes the spiritist
revelation is that while divine in its origin
and of the initiative of the Spirits, its
elaboration is fruit of man’s work."
Allan Kardec (“Genesis” Ch. 1 - Item 13)
revelation is that while divine in its origin
and of the initiative of the Spirits, its
elaboration is fruit of man’s work."
Allan Kardec (“Genesis” Ch. 1 - Item 13)
