Spiritism is a generic term for various beliefs that claim the existence of immortal souls that can somehow be communicated with and interact with the real world (often through channeling) even after death. Many of those religions are reincarnationist. Often the word is used specifically to indicate Kardecist Spiritism, a religion founded by Allan Kardec in the late 19th century. See also Spiritualism.

Christian spiritism

Spiritism is not a synonym of spiritualism. In fact it is a neologism created by Allan Kardec to distinguish the doctrine of the spirits (which is based on Christianity) from the other spiritualist doctrines. All spiritualist doctrines believe in life after death, but only Spiritism is centred on the teachings of Jesus.

Roman Catholics believe in contact with saints and angels, and often devote prayers to specific patron saints; although some Christians believe that all contact with spirits should be avoided, lest one be deceived into sin.

Specific religions

• Kardecist Spiritism
• Ayahuasca (Daime)
• Umbanda

References

• Allan Kardec, The Spirits' Book ISBN 0922729271
• Allan Kardec, Book on Mediums ISBN 0877283826
• Allan Kardec, The Gospel Explained by the Spiritist Doctrine ISBN 0964990768
• René Guénon. The Spiritist Fallacy (2004), Sophia Perennis. ISBN 0900588713