Altamirando Carneiro (photo) was born in Coração de Maria and moved at a young age to the city of Irará, in the Brazilian state of Bahia. He has lived for many years in São Paulo, where he did a Media degree and became a journalist. In this interview, he shares his views about the religious nature of Spiritism and stresses that no religion requires rituals, priests or altars: 

When did you have your first contact with Spiritism? 

I had always been interested in Spiritism, but I only began attending a Spiritist Centre – A Caminho da Luz (Pathway to Light), em Irará – when I was doing my teacher training course. I was invited to go there by one of my teachers, Denise Valverde de Carvalho. That’s where I began my journey in the Spiritist Movement.  

What was your family’s reaction?

Very positive. I come from a predominantly Roman Catholic family, but my father was always sympathetic to Spiritism. 

Which of the three aspects of Spiritism – science, philosophy and religion – strikes you the most? 

I like these three aspects as they are all equally important for a full comprehension of the Spiritist Teachings. 

Which Spiritist Books among those you’ve read would you recommend for those who are beginning their journey in Spiritism? 

I think that those who are joining Spiritism now must start by reading the core books of Spiritist Codification, by Allan Kardec: The Spirits’ Book, The Mediums’ Book, The Gospel According to Spiritism, Heaven and Hell and Genesis. It’s essential that we understand and study those books in order to truly understand Spiritism. And we must, as we go along, read other relevant Spiritist books, as well as the Spiritist Magazine, which was edited in France by Allan Kardec. The Magazine is essential reading. 

The theoretical controversies within Spiritism are restricted to a few issues. One of them concerns the religious or secular nature of Spiritism. What is your opinion about that? 

I would like to quote, in that regard, an extract from the book by Jorge Rizzini, Kardec, Irmãs Fox e Outros (Kardec, the Fox Sisters and Others), when he discusses Spiritist Religion: "...I open Allan Kardec’s Posthumous Works and find a chapter entitled ‘The Religious Nature and Consequences of the Spiritist Phenomena.’ And he says on item 3 of the chapter that: ‘All religions are based on the existence of God and their goal is man’s destiny after death’

Well, that is the basis of Spiritism. There’s no denying it. We must understand that a religion doesn’t necessarily require rituals, priests and altars. This mystical apparatus is a result of the low level of humanity’s spiritual development. Spiritism contains the highest concept of religion. It’s a religion in Spirit and in Truth. And it’s exactly for that reason that it isn’t just “another religion,” but, instead, “THE RELIGION.”

How do you see the debate about legalising abortion in Brazil? 

It’s a debate in which materialistic perspectives tend to stand out. But in Brazil, at the end of the day, the logical solution, both from a medical and a Christian perspective, will prevail. And the Spiritist truth will, therefore, prevail: life begins at the moment of conception, which means that abortion is a crime that, like many others, must be prevented.  

What is your assessment of the Brazilian Spiritist Movement and efforts made to improve the dissemination of Spiritist information?

There’s been remarkable progress in that area thanks to advances on the internet and social media. 

How long do you think it will take for the Earth to complete the transition from the stage of a world of Trials in Tribulation to a world of Regeneration? When that happens, as St Augustin said, the word love will be stamped on the foreheads of everyone and social relations will be marked by perfect equity.

It will take many years for us to be able to live in a fully implemented world of Regeneration. It’s something for our children, grandchildren or great grandchildren…

In light of all the problems humankind is going through, what should be the top priority of those ahead of the Spiritist Movement in Brazil and in the world?

Spiritism will become what people do with it. We must prioritise the dissemination of the Spiritist Teachings as introduced by Allan Kardec, explaining to society the true meaning of life. That meaning is often distorted by mistaken concepts, which lead people into attitudes that go against their expected role on Earth. 

Spiritist Centres were forced to adapt to the coronavirus pandemic that struck the world in 2020, especially by expanding online activities. How do you think they will adapt to the new situation, when the Covid pandemic is finally gone?