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We have said that Spiritism is not dogmatic; it is neither a cult nor orthodoxy. It is a living philosophy
- a privilege of all free spirits, and that it progresses by evolution. It does not make any imposition; it proposes,
and what it suggests is based on facts of experience and moral proofs. It does not exclude any other beliefs, but
raises above them to embrace them in a vaster approach, in a more elevated and extensive expression of the
truth.
The superior Intelligences open the pathways and reveal to us the eternal principles. Each of us adopts
and assimilates these principles according to our own comprehension and in conformity with the level of
development attained by our individual faculties – through the succession of our lives.
In general, the unity of the doctrine is obtained entirely at the cost of its blind and passive submission
to a number of principles set on rigid rules - within inflexible molds. It is the crystallization of thought, the
divorce of Religion and Science, through which it cannot pass without freedom and movement.
The self-imposed immobility and inflexibility of dogmas deprive Religion of all the benefits of social
movement and thought evolution. Considering itself to be the only good and true belief, it goes to the extent of
condemning all that is outside of it, consequently driving itself into a tomb whereto it wishes to pull along with
itself the intellectual life and genius of the human races.
One thing that Spiritism takes most into account is to avoid the fatal consequences of orthodoxy. Its
revelation is a free and sincere exposition of doctrines that has nothing of immutable; yet, it constitutes a new
stage in the path leading to the Eternal and Infinite Truth. Everyone has the right to analyze its principles,
which are sanctioned only by conscience and reason. But once these principles are adopted, each individual
should strive to conform their lives to them, and accomplish the obligations they propose. Whoever avoids
them cannot be considered as a true follower.
Allan Kardec always warned us against dogmatism and the spirit of cults; throughout his work he
persistently urged us to do all we could to prevent Spiritism from crystallizing and to avoid the tragic methods
that ruined the religious spirit of our country.
In our times of discord, political and religious battles in which Science and orthodoxies are at war, it is
imperative to show to all men of goodwill – of all opinions, from all fields and beliefs, and to all truly free and
far-reaching thinkers – that there is a neutral ground, that of experimental Spiritualism, where we can meet and
hold each other’s hands. No more dogmas! No more mysteries! Let us be open to understanding all facets of
the spirit; let us drink from all the fountains of the past and the present. Let us acknowledge that all doctrines
have a portion of truth; none, however, encompass it completely, because the truth in its plenitude is far more
extensive than the human spirit.
It is only through the accord of people of good will; through the sincere hearts of the free and
disinterested spirits that harmony of thought will be accomplished, in addition to the attainment of a greater
sum of absorbable truth for the earthly man - in this current historic period.
A day will come when all mankind will comprehend that there is no antithesis between Science and
true Religion. There are only misunderstandings. The discrepancy occurs between Science and orthodoxy,
which is evident in Science’s recent discoveries. These scientific discoveries prudently draw us closer to the
sacred doctrines of the Orient and Gallia, in regards to the unity of the world and life evolution. That is why
we affirm that although advancing in parallel marches through the long roads of the centuries, Science and
faith will unavoidably meet one day. In fact, as their objectives are identical, they will inevitably intertwine
with each other. Science will be the analysis and Religion, the synthesis.
The world of facts and causes will be united in them, the two aspects of the human intelligence will
link and together they will tear down the veil of the Invisible. The divine work, in its majestic splendor, will
appear to all eyes!
The allusions we made to ancient doctrines could bring another objection: “Are not the Spiritist
teachings completely new, then?” they will ask. Absolutely not! Lighting has struck throughout all periods of
Humanity; flashes of light have illuminated thought evolution and the necessary truths have appeared to the
wise and the inquisitive. The men of genius, in addition to sensitive and clairvoyant mediums have always
received from the Beyond the appropriate revelations to tend to the needs of human evolution 27 .
27 See Dans l’Invisible, chapter XXVI – “La Médiuminité Glorieuse (The Glorious Mediumship).”
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