Otaciro Rangel Nascimento: 

“The structures of logical reasoning in science and those of Spiritism are similar” 

Our fellow Spiritist from Brazil’s Goiás state, a PhD in Physics
and lecturer at the prestigious Physics Institute of the University
of São Paulo in São Carlos, talks about the points in common between conventional science and Spiritism
 

	Otaciro Rangel Nascimento (photo), born in Goiânia and based in São Carlos, in São Paulo state, since 1978, has a degree, a Masters and a PhD in Physics. He worked at PUC University in Rio until 1977. He is now a senior researcher and lecturer at USP in São Carlos. A Spiritist since 1962, he is a well-known  speaker  and  volunteer at the Obreiros do
Bem Spiritist Centre. In this interview, he talks about science and Spiritism:

How do you define science? 

Science is the knowledge or a system of various fields of knowledge that include the most general and wide-reaching truths as well as the application of scientific laws derived from, obtained and tested with scientific rigour. According to this definition, science is something very distinct from the scientist. It can be defined as the collective of all scientific theories, organised chronologically and within a system, as well as scientific method and all the resources needed for the elaboration of scientific theories. 

And how do you define the scientist? 

The scientist is essential to science, like any human being with a creative and critic brain as well as feelings and emotions. The scientist has his beliefs – convictions that can go beyond the limits of reason. He is often even a religious believer. But it is important that the scientist is able to keep his beliefs apart from his scientific papers and theories. Science and scientist are certainly very different from each other. 

And how do you assess science in the light of Spiritism? 

We must say that the paradigm of science is still matter and not the Spirit. Therefore we cannot expect science to come forward to prove the spiritual reality, or even less Spiritism. But there are scientists who have been working to prove the links between the Spirits and the material world, such as Neuroscience. As for me, I believe such initiatives will achieve important results and science will be focusing on the spiritual reality in the near future. 

And how do you assess Spiritism in the light of science? 

In the Revelation of Spiritism, it is very clear that the Spiritual World chose the right moment to invite the more developed incarnated souls to join the effort to prove the existence of spiritual life. Humankind had reached unprecedented scientific development, and mature and serious people who were engaged in the scientific world at the time got engaged in the work. They realised Spiritism was based on logical thinking and authentic, true facts – the phenomena. We must highlight the presence of Professor Rivail, or Allan Kardec, who had a clear mind and balanced feelings and was able to organise the spiritual information received through different medium and study groups.  

What is in your opinion the greatest contribution Spiritism has given to science in general? 

As I mention before, the Teachings codified by Allan Kardec opened the doors of a reality forgotten by the man of science and for those disillusioned with existing religions. It invited serious men to look for the reality of the Spiritual World. In the same way science outlines the laws of the sensorial world for our material comfort, Spiritism outlines the Spiritual Laws for our internal comfort as permanent Spiritual Beings. It helps us understand the true aims of science and life on Earth. 

What are the main common points between Spiritism and conventional science, with its research and search for understanding facts as it prepares its laws and principles? 

Again, I mentioned it before. The common points are exactly the analysis methods used by both science and Spiritism. Spiritism is a science of observation and as such, it does not allow us to control the facts, as the Spiritis have their own wishes and cannot be controlled by the scientist. In this aspect, it is similar to Astronomy, whose facts are observed but cannot be repeated in the laboratory as in other scientific fields. 

Is there any particularly strong from your personal reflections that you would like to share with us? 

I would like to state my opinion here as a scientist and a Spiritist. The study of science and Spiritism are for me unvaluable resources that educate my soul. The structures of logical reasoning in science and Spiritism are similar and understanding one and the other helps me live a more balanced and serene life. To know I am immortal and that I will always be learning is a great source of joy. 

What is your assessment of the level of scientific knowledge in today’s world before the development of Spiritism? 

Humankind is going through a period of conflict between individual and collective selfishness and the demands for a fairer and more generous world. Humankind is divide internally between the suffering of many and the advantage of a few. Science and technology make man’s life easier, but men make each other lives difficult because the lack solidarity and love. The motto of the French Revolution – Freedom, Equality and Fraternity – is yet to be realised amongst men. We are all eager for this motto to become reality, but we can’t do it for lack of conviction in our Spiritual Reality. That shows the Spirits are right when they say that the biggest charity we can make in this period of transition towards a world of Regeneration is to disseminate Spiritism. 

Anything else you would like to add? 

I am happy to say to all readers that together we can change the world for the better, and we need to start by changing ourselves, as we are not able to give what we still don’t have. Let us get together around a common ideal, which is becoming a single family under the auspices of a single patron, who in my view is the model of an ideal man: Jesus.