sympathizer and according to the work that you do for the Spiritist Doctrine, what is your view of the Spiritist movement?

It is something much bigger than most people realize. The Spiritist Doctrine is not just about charity, neither only about people that talk to spirits, as many say. I have a great respect for both incarnated and disincarnated people. This is a beautiful doctrine that seeks spiritual growth through moral growth.

O Consolador: Please describe the work that you perform for the Spiritist Doctrine.

I have been working as a graphic designer for the Spiritist Tribune for about 8 years, together with master Azamor Cirne (President of Leopoldo Cirne Spiritist Centre) and with a very disciplined team.

I also do graphic designer work for the Paraíba Spiritist Federation (newspapers, books, special editions, slides and website) together with Fátima Farias, who works for the communications department.

O Consolador: How did you approach the Spiritist Doctrine and what do you like about it?

In my family there is a mixture of Spiritist and Catholics. In my childhood I used to go to the Bezerra de Menezes Spiritist Centre, in Cruz das Armas. We used to go with our father to the Sunday lectures, even though my mother was not very happy about it. I was very little, only years later I realised that it was a Spiritist Centre.

When I was 14 years old I started attending it again and I continued during 1 year and a half, I used to go along with my sister, who had some problems and was seeking Spiritual help to minimize them. In 2006 my sister had postpartum depression and the Spiritist Doctrine gave me strength to cope with the situation. The Spiritist message has comforted and helped me when I most needed.

O Consolador: When you receive the articles that will be published by the Spiritist Tribune, what are the themes that draw your attention?

What catches my attention is how the subjects are addressed, without attacking any other religion, without the pretension of being better than the others. It is a simplistic work but it talks about current issues and the articles provide a deep analysis of the Spiritist universe.

Everybody that cooperates with the magazine is careful about the quality of the articles that will be published. The magazine also advertises Spiritist events that will take place in Brazil or abroad. The Spiritist Tribune is a non profitable work; the aim is to spread out the Spiritist Doctrine.

O Consolador: As a graphic designer for the Nordeste magazine, are the themes linked to subjects studied by the Spiritist Doctrine? What is the magazine’s point of view on subjects as abortion, reincarnation, communication with spirits, etc? Do writers address these things?

The Nordeste magazine is not a religious publication. Its main focus is the northeast state, as the name implies, however we have a religion session where we have published two Spiritist related articles: an interview with Divaldo Franco, when he was in Joao Pessoa for the launch of two books and also the article “2012: the apocalypse visions”, where we demonstrated what the end of the world means in accordance with the main Brazilian religion’s point of view.

The themes are suggested by the editors, journalists and readers. We research about what people would like to read in each edition. If the above mentioned themes are of people’s interest, then they are naturally published. Due to our professionalism, we are not against any religion. Our aim is to deliver information to our readers, does not matter what religion it belongs to.

O Consolador: Regarding the interview with Divaldo Franco, which was published by the above mentioned magazine, what was the main subject?

Divaldo spoke about religion coexistence as well as the “new age” for the earth, these were the main themes. It had a great repercussion. We have received several comments, people have called asking where they could buy the magazine. Divaldo spoke about the return of Jesus and also about the regeneration period which our planet has been enduring. The interview is available online; at Paraiba’s Spiritist Federation website -www.fepb.org.br

O Consolador: Being a Spiritist Doctrine sympathizer, how do you see the impact of the Spiritist Doctrine in your city and state? Do you think that nowadays the Spiritist movement is more respected?

I think that the Spiritist Doctrine has a larger number of sympathizers. In the past, when I used to go to the Spiritist centre, people had prejudice, but not today. I notice that the Spiritism is growing and filling a gap left open by another religions. The new generation is more prepared for Spiritism, society seems tired of religions that forbid everything and label people as sinners only to keep them going to Church. In the Spiritist Doctrine everyone has the right to make mistakes and the opportunity to correct them, thus evolving spiritually.

O Consolador: Have you been reading Spiritist books?

I carry The Gospel According to Spiritism in my handbag and also have another one on my bedside. I like to read it before going to bed and I recommend everybody to do the same, despite of their religion. I also read the Spirit’s Book and Spiritist novels. I gave The Gospel According to Spiritism as a present to several friends that were undergoing difficult times and all of them said that they felt better after reading the book.

In general they are depressed, troubled people that have no answer for the things that happen in their lives. The Gospel According to Spiritism always has an answer for these questions. It teaches how to do the Gospel at home, what I learned from my friend Fátima Farias, which brings positive results in the lives of those who practise it.

O Consolador: Do you have any connection with another religion? If so, how is the Spiritist Doctrine treated on this environment?

I do not like fanaticism, in no circumstances. Among my five brothers, three follow the Evangelical religion and we have a good relationship. However in some occasions it became difficult as we used to work together and they did not allow us to play in the office any other songs than the religious ones, so I gave up on the job.

All my family members know that I sympathize with the Spiritist Doctrine and that I like the Catholic Church as well as the Spiritist Doctrine. I like to emphasize the good aspect of each religion. I think it is beautiful how the Evangelical women dress; it demonstrates character. I like to have the image of Our Lady to protect me and I practise charity as taught by the Spiritists.

Nowadays I can speak freely to my brothers about their religion as well as about Spiritism, so we keep on overcoming barriers.

O Consolador: According to the information already provided by the Spiritists, what is your view on reincarnation, communication with spirits and immortality?

I believe that we are influenced by disincarnated spirits, I think they can both help or disturb us, depending on their educational level. I believe that in each incarnation we learn things and develop ourselves. I like to read the “The Gospel According to Spiritism” aloud, so the spirits that are present can benefit from the lesson, I think this is a good way of learning together.

I believe that some disturbances are caused by obsessores and that sometimes we attract them through our negative thinking. I feel inspired sometimes when working for the Spiritism. It happened when I develop the website and also on other occasions. I also believe that the Spiritism is linked to the achievements on the medicine field as well as on other areas.