– Second Edition – WHAT IS SPIRITISM? WHAT IS SPIRITISM? INTRODUCTION TO KNOWING THE INVISIBLE WORLD, THAT IS, THE WORLD OF SPIRITS Containing THE FUNDAMENTALS OF THE SPIRITIST DOCTRINE AND A RESPONSE TO SOME OF THE MAIN OBJECTIONS AGAINST IT by Allan Kardec AUTHOR OF THE SPIRITS’ BOOK AND OF THE MEDIUMS’ BOOK Without Charity there is no Salvation Translated by Darrel W. Kimble, Marcia M. Saiz and Ily Reis Copyright © 2010 by INTERNATIONAL SPIRITIST COUNCIL SGAN Q. 909 – Conjunto F 70790-090 – Brasilia (DF) – Brazil All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced by any mechanical, photographic, or electronic process, or in the form of a phonographic recording; nor may it be stored in a retrieval system, transmitted, or otherwise be copied for public or private use without prior written permission of the publisher. ISBN 978-85-7945-026-6 Original French Title: QU’EST-CE QUE LE SPIRITISME ? (Paris, 1859) Translated by Darrel W. Kimble, Marcia M. Saiz and Ily Reis Cover design by: Luciano Carneiro Holanda Layout: Rones José Silvano de Lima Edition of INTERNATIONAL SPIRITIST COUNCIL SGAN Q. 909 - Conjunto F 70790-090 - Brasilia (DF) - Brazil www.edicei.com [email protected] 55 61 3038 8400 Sales: + 55 61 3038 8425 Authorized edition by International Spiritist Council Second Edition 10/2011 INTERNATIONAL DATA FOR CATALOGING IN PUBLICATION (ICP) K27g Kardec, Allan, 1804-1869. What is Spiritism? : introduction to knowing the invisible world, that is, the world of spirits / by Allan Kardec; [translated by Darrel W. Kimble, Marcia M. Saiz and Ily Reis]. – Brasilia, DF (Brazil): International Spiritist Council, 2011. 226 p.; 21 cm Translated from: Qu’est-ce que le spiritisme ? ISBN 978-85-7945-026-6 1. Spiritism. I. International Spiritist Council. II. Title. CDD: 133.9 CDU: 133.7 Contents Biography of Allan Kardec ................................................... 7 What is Spiritism? .............................................................. 47 CHAPTER I A Brief Discussion of Spiritism .......................................... 49 First Dialogue – The Critic .................................................... 51 Second Dialogue – The Skeptic .............................................. 65 Spiritism and Spiritualism ................................................ 66 Dissenting Opinions ......................................................... 68 Simulated Spirit Phenomena ............................................. 70 The Powerlessness of Detractors .......................................... 71 The Extraordinary and the Supernatural ...........................74 The Opposition of Science ................................................. 75 Erroneous Explanations of the Phenomena ......................... 82 Disbelievers Cannot See in order to be Convinced .............. 85 Spirits’ Good or Ill Will to Convince .................................. 87 The Origin of Modern Spiritist Ideas ................................. 88 Means of Communication ................................................. 92 Mediums for Hire............................................................. 97 Mediums and Sorcerers ................................................... 102 Diversity among Spirits ...................................................104 The Practical Usefulness of Manifestations ....................... 108 Insanity, Suicide, Obsession ............................................. 110 Forgetfulness of the Past................................................... 113 Elements of Conviction ................................................... 116 Society for the Continuation of the Spiritist Works of Allan Kardec, 7 de Lille Street ......................................... 119 The Prohibition against Spiritism .................................... 120 Third Dialogue – The Priest ................................................ 123 CHAPTER II Elementary Notions of Spiritism ...................................... 153 Preliminary Remarks ............................................................ 153 Concerning Spirits ............................................................... 155 Communications with the Invisible World ........................... 159 The Providential Aim of Spirit Manifestations ..................... 170 Concerning Mediums .......................................................... 171 Dangers Mediums Might Encounter .................................... 176 Characteristics of Mediums .................................................. 179 Charlatanism........................................................................ 183 The Identity of Spirits .......................................................... 184 Contradictions ..................................................................... 186 The Consequences of Spiritism ............................................ 187 CHAPTER III The Solution to a Few Problems by Means of the Spiritist Doctrine ........................................................................... 195 The Plurality of Worlds ........................................................ 195 The Soul .............................................................................. 196 Human Beings during their Life on Earth ............................ 199 Human Beings after Death ................................................... 209 Explanatory Note ............................................................. 219 BIOGRAPHY OF ALLAN KARDEC1 Ladies and Gentlemen, Many persons who are interested in Spiritism often express the regret of having only a very imperfect understanding of the biography of Allan Kardec, and of not knowing where to find information regarding the one whom we call Master. Therefore, it is to honor Allan Kardec and celebrate his memory that we find ourselves gathered here today, since one and the same sentiment of veneration and recognition stirs all our hearts with regards to the Founder of the Spiritist philosophy. In an attempt to respond to such a legitimate desire, please allow me to talk to you for a few moments about that beloved Master, whose works are universally known and appreciated, and whose inner life and industrious existence may only be imagined. If it were easy for all the conscientious investigators to acknowledge the great significance and scope of Allan Kardec’s work by carefully reading his productions, then due to the absence even today of means for doing so, very few could enter the private life of the man and follow him step by step in the performance of his task, so grand, 1 In keeping with the Portuguese version published by the Brazilian Spiritist Federation, and translated by Guillon Ribeiro, we have included this short biography of Allan Kardec by Henri Sausse. It is an abridgement of a lengthier version (available in French at www. spiritisme.net/ouvrages/kardec.htm) and was read by the author at a gathering of Spiritists in Lyon for the March 31, 1896 observance of the 27th anniversary of Kardec’s passing. – Tr. 7 Biography of Allan Kardec so glorious and so well-accomplished. Not only is Kardec’s biography little-known, it has yet to be written at all. Envy and jealousy have sown the most obvious errors, the grossest and most impudent slander about it. Therefore, I shall make every effort to show you, in the truest light, the Great Initiator, whose disciples we are proud to be. You all know that our city can be honored aright for having witnessed within its walls the birth of that fearless and methodical thinker, that wise, clear-sighted and profound philosopher, that tireless worker, whose labor shook the religious edifice of the Old World and established the new foundations that would serve as the basis for the evolution and renewal of our decaying society, impelling it toward a saner and loftier ideal, toward intellectual advancement and sound morals. It was in Lyon, on October 3, 1804 that a child was born into an old Lyon family by the name of Rivail - he, who would later bear the illustrious name of Allan Kardec, and who would earn so much acclaim and our deepest affection and recognition. In this regard, here is a positive and official document: “October 12 of the year XIII2, birth certificate ofDenizard Hippolyte- Leon Rivail. Yesterday at 7:00 p.m., the son of Jean-Baptiste Antoine Rivail, magistrate and judge, and Jeannne Duhamel, his wife, residents of Lyon, 76 Sala Street3 was born. The child’s sex was recognized as male. Major witnesses: “Syriaque-Frederic Dittmar, director of the mineral water establishment on Sala Street, and Jean-François Targe of the same Sala Street, at the request of the physician, Pierre Radamel, 78 Saint-Dominique Street. After reading it, the witnesses signed it, as did the Mayor of the South Zone.” President of the Court, (Signed): Mathiou 2 1813 – Tr. 3 The house in which Allan Kardec was born disappeared during the enlargement and reconstruction of Sala Street from 1840 to 1852, following the floods of 1840. 8 Biography of Allan Kardec At birth, the future founder of Spiritism received a dear and respected name, and an entire past of virtue, honor and probity. Due to their talent, knowledge and scrupulous probity, many of his forebears had distinguished themselves in law and magistracy. One might think that the young Rivail would also have dreamed of being granted the honor and glory of his family in the same capacity. Such was not to be, however, because from the beginning of his youth he felt attracted to the sciences and philosophy. Rivail Denizard did his initial studies in Lyon, and