The Origins and Foundations of Spiritism
Spiritism is a belief system that emerged in the mid-19th century, founded by the French author and educator Allan Kardec. This spiritual doctrine is based on the existence of a spirit world that coexists with our physical reality. Followers of Spiritism believe that spirits exist independently from human bodies, and that humans are essentially spirits undergoing a journey through repeated reincarnations. This cycle of reincarnation is seen as a path toward achieving intellectual and moral perfection.
The roots of Spiritism can be traced back to Spiritualism, a movement that began in the United States. It gained momentum in Europe through the influence of American Spiritualist practices. Kardec, whose real name was Léon-Dénizarth-Hippolyte Rivail, was deeply influenced by these practices. Under his pseudonym, Allan Kardec, he sought to create a structured doctrine that distinguished Spiritism from Spiritualism, particularly through its belief in reincarnation—a concept not universally accepted by Spiritualists.
Allan Kardec: The Architect of Spiritism
Allan Kardec was born in 1804 in Lyon, France, and pursued his education in Switzerland before moving to Paris. There, he purchased a school for boys and dedicated himself to pedagogy, publishing several works on the subject. By the 1850s, the phenomenon of table tipping, a form of séance, had become popular in Europe. Kardec’s interest in this phenomenon led him to explore Spiritualism deeply.
Kardec’s exploration culminated in the publication of ‘The Spirits’ Book’ in 1857, which is considered the first of five foundational texts of Spiritism. This book compiled responses to philosophical questions posed to mediums across Europe, which Kardec believed were communicated from the spirit world. His approach aimed to bridge the gap between religion, science, and philosophy, framing Spiritism as a ‘Positive Faith’ grounded in scientific skepticism and rationale.
The Spread and Influence of Spiritism
After Kardec’s death in 1869, Léon Denis, a medium and writer who had met Kardec several times, continued to promote Spiritism in Europe. Despite Denis’s efforts, the popularity of Spiritism in Europe waned, particularly with the onset of World War I and the rise of psychology, which often dismissed spiritual phenomena.
However, Spiritism found fertile ground in other parts of the world. In Vietnam, under French colonial rule, Kardec’s ideas influenced the development of the Cao Dai religion. Meanwhile, in Latin America, Spiritism merged with local traditions. In Venezuela, it became part of the María Lionza religion, while in Brazil, it flourished despite an official ban in 1890. By the 20th century, Spiritism had become a significant religious movement in Brazil, largely due to the influence of mediums like Francisco (Chico) Xavier.
Spiritism in Modern Times
Today, Brazil is home to the largest concentration of Spiritists in the world. By 2020, approximately 3 percent of Brazilians identified as Spiritists, though some estimates suggest the number could be as high as 20 million. Spiritism is considered the third most popular religion in Brazil. The movement has also gained a foothold in the United States, particularly with the arrival of Hispanic and Brazilian immigrants who established Spiritist centers.
Despite facing criticism and skepticism, Spiritism has persisted. Critics have often labeled it as a form of devil worship or a cult, while others have accused practitioners of being charlatans. Nonetheless, the movement has continued to thrive, with Spiritist practices and beliefs being integrated into various cultural contexts around the world.
Core Beliefs and Practices of Spiritism
At the heart of Spiritism is the belief that humans are spirits temporarily inhabiting physical bodies. After death, the soul transitions to the spirit world, where it remains until reincarnation. Spiritists believe in the existence of the ‘perispirit,’ a mediator between the material and spirit worlds. The doctrine encourages followers to promote charity, pursue self-growth, and respect scientific inquiry as a way to understand divine laws.
Mediumship is a central practice in Spiritism, where individuals with special faculties communicate with spirits. This can manifest as ‘psychography,’ where mediums write messages dictated by spirits. In Brazil, Spiritist centers often serve as places for healing practices, where ‘passes’ or the ‘laying on of hands’ are used to balance spiritual energies. These practices are believed to channel vital energies from the spirit world to promote physical and mental well-being.
The Cultural Impact of Spiritism
Spiritism has left a significant cultural imprint, particularly in Brazil. The movement has been featured in television shows, films, and literature. Brazilian television has aired telenovelas based on Spiritist concepts, such as ‘Escrito nas Estrelas,’ which explores the interactions between the spirit of a deceased young man and his family. Filmmaker Wagner de Assis has created movies like ‘Astral City: A Spiritual Journey’ and ‘Kardec,’ which delve into Spiritist themes.
Magazines and publications have also played a role in disseminating Spiritist ideas. Kardec himself founded the ‘Spirit Review, Journal of Psychological Studies’ in 1858, which later inspired the English-language ‘The Spiritist Magazine.’ In Brazil, the ‘International Magazine of Spiritism’ and the newspaper ‘O Clarim’ have been instrumental in spreading the doctrine.
Spiritism is a science that deals with the nature, origin, and destiny of spirits, and their relation with the corporeal world.
| Country | Estimated Spiritist Population |
|---|---|
| Brazil | 6 to 20 million |
| United States | Growing due to immigration |
Fonte: www.britannica.com