THE SPIRITIST MOVEMENT
 

“Spirits assure us that the time appointed by Providence for a universal manifestation of their existence has now come; and that their mission, as the ministers of God and the instruments of His will, is to inaugurate, through the instructions they are charged to convey to us, a new era of regeneration for the human race.”   Allan Kardec (The Spirits’ Book – Prolegomena)  

What It Is

• The Spiritist Movement is the cluster of activities whose objective is the study, dissemination, and practice of the Spiritist Doctrine, as contained in the basic works of Allan Kardec, placing it within the reach and at the service of all Humanity.
   

• The activities which compose the Spiritist Movement are carried out by individuals, jointly or on their own, and by Spiritist Institutions.
   

• The Spiritist Institutions consist of:
   
  • Spiritist Groups, Centers, or Societies, which develop general activities related to the study, dissemination, and practice of the Spiritist Doctrine. They may be small, medium, or large in size;
  • Federations, which develop activities aimed at the union of the Spiritist Institutions and the unification of the Spiritist Movement;
  • Specialized Entities, which develop specific Spiritist activities, such as those devoted to social assistance and doctrinal dissemination; and
  • Study Groups of Spiritism, basically concentrating on the initial study of the Spiritist Doctrine.

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The Influence of Spiritism on Progress 798. Will Spiritism become the general belief, or will its acceptance remain confined to the few?    “It will certainly become the general belief, and will mark a new era in the history of the human race, because it belongs to the natural order of things, and because the time has come for it to be ranked among the branches of human knowledge. It will nevertheless have to withstand a good many violent attacks - attacks that will be prompted rather by interest than by conviction, for you must not lose sight of the fact that there are persons whose interest is to combat this belief, some from self-conceit, others from worldly considerations; but its opponents, finding themselves in a decreasing minority, will at length be obliged to rally to the general opinion, on pain of rendering themselves ridiculous.”   (The Spirits’ Book - Chapt. VIII - Part Three)

SPIRITIST GROUPS, CENTERS, OR SOCIETIES

“These Groups, corresponding together, visiting each other, and transmitting to one another the results arrived at by each, may, even now, form the nucleus of the great spiritist family which will one day rally to itself all opinions, and unite all men in the common brotherhood of Christian charity.” Allan Kardec (The Mediums’ Book – Chapt. XXIX – Item 334)
 
What They Are
 
The Spiritist Groups, Centers, or Societies are:  

• Nucleuses of study, fraternity, prayer, and activities practiced within the Spiritist principles;
   

• Schools of spiritual and moral education, operating according to the Spiritist Doctrine;
   

• Posts of fraternal assistance open to everyone in search for guidance, enlightenment, help, or consolation;
   

• Workshops which provide participants opportunities to exercise their inner growth through the practice of the Gospel in their activities;
   

• Places where the children, the youth, the adults, and the elderly have the opportunity to socialize, study, and perform activities together to unite the family under the guidance of Spiritism;
   

• Retreats of peace which offer participants opportunities for spiritual renewal and fraternal union through the practice of the maxim “Love one another”;
   

• Nucleuses characterized by the simplicity typical of the first congregations of the nascent Christianity; by the practice of charity; and by the total absence of images, symbols, rituals, or other exterior manifestations; and
   

• Institutions that represent the fundamental units of the Spiritist Movement.

Their Objectives
 
The objectives of the Spiritist Groups, Centers, or Societies are:  

• To promote the study, dissemination, and practice of the Spiritist Doctrine, while tending to individuals who:
   
  • seek enlightenment, guidance, and help for their spiritual, moral, and material problems;
  • wish to get acquainted with and study the Spiritist Doctrine;
  • wish to work, collaborate, and serve in any field of action the Spiritist practice has to offer.

Their Basic Activities

The basic activities of the Spiritist Groups, Centers, or Societies are:

• To conduct meetings for the study of the Spiritist Doctrine, in a programmed, methodical, and systematic form, open to individuals of all ages and every cultural and social standing, and aimed at enabling a deep and wide-ranging knowledge of Spiritism in all of its aspects.
   

• To conduct meetings for the explanation of the Gospel according to the Spiritist Doctrine, the practice of passes (laying on of hands), and to extend fraternal assistance through dialogue to those who approach the Spiritist Centers in search of enlightenment, guidance, help, and spiritual and moral assistance.
   

• To conduct meetings for the study, education, and practice of mediumship based on Spiritist principles and objectives, thereby enlightening, guiding, and preparing individuals for mediumship activities.
   

• To conduct meetings for the Spiritist evangelization of children and the youth, in a programmed, methodical, and systematic form, thereby assisting, enlightening, and guiding them within the teachings of the Spiritist Doctrine.
   

• To carry out the work of dissemination of the Spiritist Doctrine through all modes of social communication compatible with the Spiritist principles, such as lectures, conferences, books, newspapers, magazines, bulletins, pamphlets, hand-outs, radio, TV, posters, audio and video tapes.
   

• To carry out Spiritist assistance activities for the needy by helping them with their most pressing needs, and by enlightening them with the moral teachings of the Gospel according to the Spiritist Doctrine.
   

• To encourage and offer guidelines to individuals who attend their meetings toward implanting and maintaining the “Gospel at Home” practice, as sustenance for the spiritual harmonization of their families.
   

• To participate in activities aimed at the union of Spiritists and Spiritist Institutions as well as the unification of the Spiritist Movement by joining their efforts together; summing up their experiences; providing mutual help and support; improving Spiritist activities in general; and strengthening the actions of the Spiritists.
   

• To perform the administrative tasks necessary to their regular operation in accordance with their organizational structure and in compliance with all applicable local legislation.

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WORK OF THE FEDERATIONS AND
OF UNIFICATION OF THE SPIRITIST MOVEMENT  

“Spiritism is a question of depth; to be bound by form would be a folly unworthy of the magnitude of the subject. Therefore, Centers which believe they fully understand true Spiritism should extend a helping hand to others, in fraternity, and so unite in order to combat the common enemies: incredulity and fanaticism.”
Allan Kardec (Posthumous Works – The Constitution of Spiritism – Item VI)

What It Is

• The work of the Federations and of unification of the Spiritist Movement serves to strengthen, facilitate, expand, and improve the efforts of the Spiritist Movement in its ultimate goal of promoting the study, dissemination, and practice of the Spiritist Doctrine.
   

• It derives from the fraternal, voluntary, conscientious, and operational union of Spiritists and Spiritist Institutions through the exchange of information and experiences, mutual help, and joint activities.
   

• It is fundamental to the strengthening, improvement, and growth of Spiritist Institutions, and for the correction of eventual deviations from proper doctrinal and administrative practices.

What It Does

• It promotes a continuous contact with the Spiritist Groups, Centers, or Societies, thereby promoting their union and integration while placing at their disposal suggestions, expertise, and supporting programs and materials needed for their activities.
   

• It conducts meetings, courses, fellowship gatherings, and other events directed at administrators and workers of Spiritist organizations to refresh and update doctrinal knowledge and administrative procedures aimed at improving and expanding the Spiritist Institutions’ activities, and to open up new areas of action and work.
   

• It organizes events directed at the general public for the dissemination of the Spiritist Doctrine, thus enabling Spiritism to be better known and better practiced.

How It Is Structured

• It is structured through the union of the Spiritist Groups, Centers, or Societies which, while preserving their autonomy and freedom of action, join forces and sum up experiences aimed at the continuous improvement and strengthening of their activities and the Spiritist Movement in general.
   

• By joining together, the Spiritist Groups, Centers, or Societies constitute the Federations and Entities of Unification of the Spiritist Movement at local, regional, state, or national level.
   

• AThe Federations and Entities of Unification of the Spiritist Movement at the national level constitute in turn the Entity of Unification of the Spiritist Movement at the international level: the International Spiritist Council.

Guidelines for the Work of the Federations and of Unification of the Spiritist Movement

• The work of the Federations and of unification of the Spiritist Movement, as well as that of the union of the Spiritists and the Spiritist Institutions, is based upon the principles of fraternity, solidarity, freedom, and responsibility as prescribed by the Spiritist Doctrine.
   

• It is characterized by offering assistance without demanding compensation; by helping without creating conditions; by instructing without imposing results; and by uniting without inhibiting initiatives, thereby preserving the values and distinctive characteristics of both individuals and institutions.
   

• The integration and participation of Spiritist Institutions in this work, which shall always be voluntary and conscientious, are carried out on the basis of equality without subordination, thus respecting and preserving the institutions’ independence, autonomy, and freedom of action.
   

• The programs and supporting materials made available to the Spiritist Institutions are not obligatory. It is left to their own discretion to adopt them or not, partially or in their entirety, or to adapt them to their own needs and conveniences.
   

• In all activities the methodical, deep, and constant study of the works of Allan Kardec, which constitute the Spiritist Codification, should be always encouraged while underscoring the basis on which the Doctrine is established.
   

• All work and activities have as their highest objective the placing with simplicity and clarity of the Spiritist Doctrine’s consoling and guiding message within the reach and at the service of everyone through study, prayer, and other joint activities.
   

• Work of Federations as well as activities of unification of the Spiritist Movement must always preserve the participants’ inherent right to think, create, and act, as professed and praised by the Spiritist Doctrine, with the understanding, however, that each and every activity must be in accord with the works of the Codification by Allan Kardec.

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The Mission of Spiritists     Go forth then and take the Divine Word: to the great who will be despising; to the learned who will demand proof; to the humble and simple ones who will accept; because it is principally among the martyrs to work, this terrestrial probation, that you will encounter fervour and faith.      Fortify your phalanx with decision and courage! Hands to work! The plough is ready! The land awaits; plough!      Go forth and thank God for the glorious task which He has entrusted to you; but pay attention! Amongst those called to Spiritism many will go astray; so then, mark well your pathway and follow the truth.  Erastus The Gospel According to Spiritism - Chapt. XX - Item 4

 

OBSERVATIONS

1. The Regulations of the International Spiritist Council state that:

• The International Spiritist Council (ISC) is an organization resulting from the union, on a world-wide level, of the organizations representing national Spiritist Movements.
   

• The main purposes and objectives of the ISC are:
  
    I - To promote the fraternal union of the Spiritist Institutions of all countries and the Unification of the International Spiritist Movement.
   
   II - To promote the study and dissemination of the Spiritist Doctrine in its three basic aspects: scientific, philosophical, and religious.
   
  III - To promote the practice of spiritual, moral, and material charity according to the Spiritist Doctrine.
   

• The purposes and objectives of the ISC are founded upon the Spiritist Doctrine codified by Allan Kardec, and on the works which, by following its guidelines, become complementary and subsidiary to the Codification.
   

• The programs and supporting materials offered by the ISC shall not be obligatory. It shall be left to the discretion of the Spiritist organizations of each country the decision to adopt them or not, partially or in their entirety, or to adapt them to their own needs or conveniences.
   

• The organizations affiliated to the ISC shall maintain their autonomy, independence, and freedom of action. Their affiliation with the ISC shall be based upon, and have as its objective, solidarity and fraternal union.

2.  The activities related in this document are proposed as suggestions. The Spiritist Institutions, at their discretion, may adopt them as their growth and development create the appropriate conditions, and at such a time as their administrators consider suitable.
 
3.  Spiritist activities shall always be carried out in a manner compatible with the social environment characteristics and in full compliance with local legislation.

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The Workers of the Lord The time approaches when those things which have been announced for the transformation of humanity will be accomplished. All those who have worked in the field of the Lord with disinterestedness and no other motive than charity, will be blessed! Their working days will be paid a hundred times more than was expected. Blessed are those who have said to their fellow men: “Let us work together and unite our efforts so that when the Lord arrives He will find His work finished’ ”, seeing that the Lord will say to them: “Come unto me, you who have been good servants, you who knew how to silence your rivalries and discords so that no harm should come to the work.”  The Spirit of Truth (The Gospel According to Spiritism – Chapt. XX – item 5)

 

Spiritism     Just as Christ said: “I am not come to destroy the Law but to fulfill it”, so Spiritism says: We have not come to destroy the Christian Law but to carry it out. It teaches nothing contrary to what was taught by Christ. Rather it develops it, explains it in a manner that can be understood by all and completes that which had previously been known only in its allegoric form. Spiritism has come at the predicted time to fulfill what Christ announced and to prepare for the achievement of future things. It is then, the work of Christ Who, as He also announced, presides over the regeneration which is now taking place and which will prepare the reign of the Kingdom of God here on Earth.   Allan Kardec (The Gospel According to Spiritism - Chapt. I - Item 7)

 

In the Work of Unification  The work for the unification in our ranks is urgent, but not rushed. One assertion seems to contradict the other. But it is not so. It is urgent because it defines the goal that we should aim at; but not rushed because it is not granted to us to violate anyone’s conscience.   Let us preserve the purpose of uniting, approaching, and understanding one another; and, if possible, let us establish at every site where the name of Spiritism has been brought to light, a study group, however small, of the works of Kardec, in the light of the Christ of God.   The Spiritist Doctrine holds its essential aspects in triple configuration. Thus, no one should be restricted in their desire to work and produce. Let those inclined toward the sciences to cultivate them in their dignity; those who devote themselves to philosophy to ennoble its postulates; and those who consecrate themselves to religion to turn divine its aspirations. Yet, above all, it is necessary that the basis of the Spiritist Doctrine remain in everyone and everything so that we don’t lose the balance at the base over which the organization is raised.   To teach, but also to put into practice; to believe, but also to study; to counsel, but also to exemplify; to unite, but also to nourish.   It is indispensable that Spiritism be maintained exactly as it was conveyed to Allan Kardec by the Divine Messengers, that is, without political compromises, without religious professionalism, without degrading personalisms, and without burning desires of conquest of fleeting earthly powers.   Let us follow Allan Kardec in our studies, aspirations, activities, and deeds so that our faith does not turn into hypnosis, whereby the power of darkness establishes its influence over the weaker minds, enchaining them to centuries of illusion and suffering.   Let Allan Kardec’s work not only be believed or felt, proclaimed or manifested in our convictions, but also be sufficiently lived, suffered, wept over, and put into practice in our own lives. Without this foundation, it is difficult to forge the Christian-Spiritist character which the troubled world awaits from us through unification.   May the love of Jesus be upon all, and the truth of Kardec be for all. Bezerra de Menezes  (Excerpts from the message  “Unification”, channeled by Francisco Candido Xavier – Reformador, Dec/1975)

International Spiritist Council  - Home page: http://www.spiritist.org     -     E-mail: spiritist@spiritist.org Tel: 55.61.322-3024  -  Fax: 55.61.321-8760 SGAN - Q. 603 - Cj. F  -  Brasília  -  DF  -  Brasil  -  Cep: 70830-030