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Spiritism is a philosophical doctrine established in France in the mid 19th Century by the French educator Hippolyte Léon Denizard Rivail, under the pseudonym Allan Kardec, which has also evolved into various forms of religious practice, among them some forms of syncretism that are often referred to by the same name. Spiritism was based on dialogues established between Kardec and what he believed to be incorporeal beings (souls of deceased people). His assumption was neither original nor uncommon, as such beliefs had numerous followers then (among them many scientists and philosophers) and séances were carried on very often by his contemporaries, though usually for recreational purposes. The term was coined by Kardec as the specific name of the doctrine but -- given the fact that the word was created from roots taken from the common language -- it was soon incorporated into normal use and used for other doctrines as well, though the original Spiritists protest this usage. Spiritism claims adherents many countries throughout the world, including many in Latin America, particularly Brazil (where they make up approximately 1.3% of the population, most likely the highest proportion of any country). Spiritism is not to be confused with Spiritualism. Its conflation or linkage with the meaning is regarded as pejorative by both Spiritualists and Spiritists. Spiritualism (in English), as a common noun (uncapitalised) is a largely obsolete term for animism and other religious practices involving the invocation of spiritual beings, including shamanism. As a proper noun, Spiritualism is a religious movement, prominent from the 1840s to the 1920s, found primarily in English-speaking countries. Character of Spiritism Spiritists claim that Spiritism is not a religious denomination, but a social movement including religion, science and philosophy. The religious aspect derives from praying to the one God and following moral principles taught by prominent religious preachers, like Jesus, Francis of Assisi or Paul, the Apostle. The scientific aspect derives from their "investigation" of the other world (in which they have developed an extensive terminology), with the study of the possibility of survival of the human soul and of communication with spirits being their major goal. The philosophical side is concerned with their studies of the moral aspects of Christianity as social contract among men and its implications for the afterlife. In the religious side, Spiritism claims to be a collection of principles and laws based directly on the teachings of Jesus, with further revelation received from Enlightened Spirits. These spiritists believe that their doctrine is the Consoler that was promised to mankind by Jesus (which interprets the Consoler as being a doctrine, not a person) to "reestablish all things in their truer meaning". Kardecist Spiritism not only claims to be a logical successor for Christianity, but also to be a truer form of Christianity, purified from unnecessary elaborations and additions: unlike previous doctrines which had been filtered by the imperfections of the flesh, the teachings collected in his books would be closer to the truth God commanded His messengers (Enlightened Spirits) to bring unto mankind. Since Kardec's days Spiritism has lost most of its popularity among scientists and philosophers as most of both have a firm belief that Spiritism and Science are mutually exclusive and is not well-developed as a philosophy. They, however, keep their traditional approach as a neutral form of relationship: they embrace all Christian ramifications like a single Religion derived from the word of Jesus and, similarly to some oriental traditions, do not demand exclusive membership. They do not demand rituals or organisation either (these are taken from whatever religion the follower is associated to, which explains the differences of practice in different centres). This policy is not always effective because membership to Spiritism is not regarded lightly by most Christian denominations and followers are often expelled. To cater for the religious needs of excommunicated members, most Spiritist centres encourage some form of active membership which includes "instructive", "social" and "medium" meetings, as well as charity work. Present-day Spiritists see a fundamental difference between "Scientific Spiritism" (the study of spiritual phenomena) and "Kardecist Spiritism" (the religious and philosophical practice derived from them). The two aspects of the doctrine are seen as complementary Doctrine Main article: Spiritist doctrine The five chief points of the doctrine are:There is a God, defined as "The Supreme Intelligence and Primary Cause of everything"; There are Spirits, all of whom are created simple and ignorant, but owning the power to gradually perfect themselves; The natural method of this perfection process is Reincarnation, through which the Spirit faces countless different situations, problems and obstacles, and needs to learn how to deal with them; As part of Nature, Spirits can naturally communicate with living people, as well as interfere in their lives; Many planets in the universe are inhabited. The central tenet of Spiritist Doctrine is the belief in spiritual life. The spirit is eternal, and evolves through a series of incarnations in the material world. The true life is the spiritual one; life in the material world is just a short-termed stage, where the spirit has the opportunity to learn and develop its potentials. Reincarnation is the process where the spirit, once free in the spiritual world, comes back to the world for further learning. Christ, the greatest moral example for humankind, is deemed to have incarnated here to show us, through his example, the path that we have to take to achieve our own spiritual perfection. The Gospels are reinterpreted in Spiritism; some of the words of Christ or his actions are clarified in the light of the spiritual phenomena (presented as law of nature, and not as something "miraculous"). It's only because of our own imperfection that we can't achieve similar things; as we evolve, we will not only understand better, but we will be able to do similar things, for all spirits are created equal, and are destined for the same end. Spiritist Doctrine stresses the importance of spiritual evolution. According to this view, we are destined for perfection; there are other planets hosting more advanced lifeforms, and happier societies, where the spirit has the chance to keep evolving both in the moral and intellectual sense. Although not clear from Kardec's works, later writers elaborated on this point further: it seems that we cannot detect more advanced life forms on other planets, as they are living in a slightly different "plane" from ours, in the same way the spiritual plane is superimposed over our own plane. There is no scientific evidence to back this claim, despite attempts to apply concepts from modern physics - quantum theory, multiple universes and so on - to explain it. The communication between the spiritual world and the material world happens all the time, but to various degrees. Some people barely sense what the spirits tell them, in an entirely instinctive way, while others have greater cognizance of their guidance. The so-called mediums have these natural abilities highly developed, and are able to communicate with the spirits and interact with them by several means: listening, seeing, or writing through spiritual command (also known by Kardecists as psychography). Direct manipulation of physical objects by spirits is also possible; however, for it to happen the spirits need the help (voluntary or not) of mediums with particular abilities for physical effects. [edit] Spiritist Practice Main article: Spiritist practice Kardec's works do not establish any rituals or formal practices. Instead, the doctrine suggests that followers adhere to some principles regarded as common to all religions. The religious experience within spiritism is, therefore, largely informal. The most important types of practices within Spiritism are:Regular Meetings - with a regular schedule, usually on evenings, two or three times a week. They involve a short lecture on some subject followed by some interactive participation of the attendants. These meetings are open to anyone. Medium Meetings - usually held after a regular meeting, only those deemed to prepared or "in need" of it are expected to attend. Youth and Children's Meetings - once a week, usually on Saturday afternoons or Sunday mornings, are the Spiritist equivalent to Christian Sunday schools. Healing Lectures - longer, in-depth lectures on subjects thought to be "of general interest" which are held on larger rooms, sometimes at theatres or ballrooms, so that more people can attend. Lecturers are often invited from far away centres. Special Meetings - special séances held in relative discretion which try to conduct some worthy work on behalf of those in need Spiritist Week and Book fairs. [edit] Organisation Main article: Spiritist centre Spiritism is not always recognised as an actual organised religion because it proposes a rather different approach, as it does not require regular frequency or formal membership; tolerates other Christian religions; tries not to oppose science, instead trying to harmonise with it (as Projectiology shows); does not carry on formal adoration, except for prayers; does not proselytize actively; emphasises reading and education as fundamental to personal enlightenment; is active in pacifism and internationalism; and does not claim to be a repository of truth but a tool intended for the spiritual betterment of mankind. Spiritism is practiced in different types of associations, formal or not, which can have local, regional, national or international scope. Local organisations are usually called Spiritist centres or Spiritist societies. Regional