Spiritism and Spiritist movement are distinct things

It is important that we always remember to read that there is a clear distinction between Spiritism and Spiritist movement. The first comprises the body of doctrine and principles of Spiritism, whose coding owe Allan Kardec. Spiritist movement is the result of the combined efforts of the followers of Spiritism with the aim of spreading and subsequent application.

The spiritual doctrine is embodied in the fundamental works of Spiritism, particularly so called Kardecian Pentateuch. The Spiritist movement expresses itself in the activities of all that - here, there and everywhere - publicize, propagate and seek to put into practice the spiritual doctrine.

We refer to this subject because it is not up to Spiritism account for mistakes made by those in charge of the conduct of the Spiritist movement, whether at the federal, state or regional level.

Sometimes it occurs within institutions that coordinate the movement spiritist, situations or problems that have no support in what the spiritual doctrine teaches or advises. Indeed, this understanding is applicable to various institutions we know. Nobody will blame the medical misconduct by a negligent doctor, or the law, the criminal act of a lawyer.

There are also some certain localities, spiritist societies or groups who are keen to isolate themselves and contribute nothing to the work of the Spiritist movement in their hometown goals successfully, as if in such cases, it is a contest to see who is more competent , a fact incomprehensible when it comes to the Spiritist movement.

If sometimes any institution faces difficulties, whether financial, administrative or doctrinal, it is an uncommon fact that it gets help from its sisters, though they are located in the same city. And we're not talking about the antagonism that often puts in different positions these same institutions.

Allan Kardec said, appropriately, that a major obstacle to the expansion of the Spiritist movement would be "lack of unity". Because of this, he recommended us explicitly: "Everyone must contribute, albeit by different routes to a common goal, which is the search and propaganda for the truth. Antagonisms, that are more than proud overexcited effect, can only hurt the cause, which intend to defend each other." (The Mediums’ Book, item 348)

With this objective, the encoder highlighted the importance of fellowship and frequent contact between different societies or spiritual groups, as a relevant factor for the general strengthening. "These groups, corresponding with each other, looking up, exchanging observations can already now form the nucleus of the great spiritist family that one day will gather all opinions and unite men by a single sense: the fraternity, bearing the stamp of Christian charity." (L.M., item 334)

It is seen, therefore, that the dynamism of the Spiritist movement comes not merely from doctrinal dissemination through books and publications from spiritist press, but it is an effect also the fraternal meetings, congresses, events geared for children, and young adults, whom we must always support, noting the guidelines proposed by Kardec, to which we refer.