SPIRITISM and the Search for True Spirituality

ALL of us have spiritual as well as material needs.  That is why so many ask such questions  as, what is the purpose of life, whey do people suffer, and what happens to us when we die?  Many sincere people seek answers to these and similar questions at seances, where they consult mediums (also called channels), hoping to communicate with spirits of the dead.  This practice is called spiritism.  (It brings out the demons and it's not a good thing)

adherents of spiritism are found in many countries, and they gather in congregations and churches.  In Brazil, for example, an estimated 4,000,000  spiritists follow the teachings codified by Hyppolyte Leon Denizared Rivail, a 19th century French educator and philosopher who wrote under the name of Allan Kardec, Kardec first  became interested in spiritistic  phenomena in 1854.  He later posed questions to mediums in many places and recorded the answers in The Book of Spirits, published in 1857.  Two other works that he wrote are The Mediums' Book and the Godpel According to Spiritism.

Spiritism has been associated with such religious practices as voodoo, withcraft, magic, or Satanism.  However, those who follow the teachings of Allan Kardec say that their beliefs are different.  Their publications often quote the Bible, and they refer to Jesus as "the guide and example for all humanity."  They say  that Jesus'  teachings are "the purest expression of divine law."  Allan Kardec viewed spritism  writings as  the third revelation of God's law to mankind, the first two being the teachings of Moses and those of Jesus.

Spiritism attracts many because it highlights neighbor love and charitble works.  One spiritist belief is:  "Without charity there is no salvation."  Many spritists are active in social work, promoting hospitals, schools, and other institutions.  Such efforts are commenable.  (It would be more commendable if the administration fees were less than what the people who get that charity is. The people for whom the charity money is raised for is much less than what it should be. I would rather just hand money over to that actual person who needs it desperately)  How, though, do the beliefs of spritists compare with Jesus' teachings as recorded in the Bible?  Let us take two examples: the hope for the dead and the reason for suffering.

Next time: What Hope for the Dead?

The Watchtower, 2001