Why So Much Confusion in Terms?

You’ve probably heard someone say: “I’m a Kardecist Spiritist!” or “I follow Kardecism!” But is there really a difference between Spiritism and Kardecism? What do these terms actually mean? And is there a right or wrong way to use them?

The confusion often arises from popular habits and the need to distinguish the Spiritism codified by Allan Kardec from other spiritualist practices that also call themselves “spiritist.” To understand why this distinction exists, we must return to the origin of the doctrine, explore its historical development, and analyze how these words evolved over time.

Spiritism: The Doctrine of the Spirits

The term Spiritism was created by Allan Kardec in 1857, in the introduction to The Spirits’ Book. He explained that a new word was needed to avoid confusion with expressions like “spiritualism” or “spiritualist.”

Spiritism means “doctrine of the Spirits” and is based on three complementary aspects:

• Philosophical — explains fundamental issues about life, death, and spiritual evolution.
• Scientific — investigates mediumistic phenomena using reason and method.
• Religious — guides moral conduct inspired by Jesus’ teachings.

Kardec codified these principles in the foundational works:

• The Spirits’ Book (1857)
• The Mediums’ Book (1859)
• The Gospel According to Spiritism (1864)
• Heaven and Hell (1865)
• Genesis (1868)

Together, these books form the Spiritist Codification, the foundation of what is now called Spiritist Doctrine.

What Is Kardecism?

The term Kardecism appeared later as a popular way to identify those who strictly follow Allan Kardec’s codified teachings, distinguishing them from spiritualist groups that also call themselves spiritists but do not study or adhere closely to the foundational works.

Linguistically, Kardecism means “doctrine of Kardec”, and the corresponding adjective is Kardecist. Reputable encyclopedias such as Oxford and Barsa, as well as dictionaries like Houaiss, recognize the term as a synonym for Spiritism.

However, some scholars resist the label for two main reasons:

• It might imply that Spiritism is Kardec’s personal creation, when in fact he merely organized the teachings of the Higher Spirits.
• Kardec himself stated he invented no principle, only codified information from the spiritual plane.

Despite these objections, the word “Kardecism” has been absorbed into common language, especially in Brazil, to differentiate Kardecist Spiritism from other spiritualist movements.

Allan Kardec: The Codifier, Not the Creator

Allan Kardec, whose real name was Hippolyte Léon Denizard Rivail, never wanted to be seen as the “founder of a religion.” In his own words:

“One must never say: the doctrine of Allan Kardec; for I have not invented a single principle.” (What Is Spiritism, Dialogue II)

For Kardec, Spiritism was a revelation from the Higher Spirits, not a human invention. He acted as an organizer, rigorously analyzing mediumistic messages from several countries, comparing information, and publishing only what was logical, coherent, and universal.

Therefore, when someone calls themselves Kardecist, it simply means they follow Spiritism as codified by Kardec rather than parallel spiritualist practices.

Why Is the Term Still Used?

Three main reasons explain why “Kardecism” remains popular:

1. Practical distinction — It helps separate Spiritism from unrelated spiritualist movements.
2. Brazilian cultural adoption — Spiritism grew strongly in Brazil through the work of the Brazilian Spiritist Federation (FEB) and mediums like Chico Xavier.
3. Clearer communication — For newcomers, “Kardecist Spiritism” is easier to understand than simply “Spiritism.”

Interestingly, in an 1867 speech, Allan Kardec himself used the word Kardecists without showing discomfort, proving he cared more about living the doctrine than about labels.

Spiritism in Brazil: The Largest Spiritist Nation

Brazil is home to the world’s largest Spiritist community, with millions of followers, thousands of study centers, publishing houses, events, and social projects. Several milestones fueled this growth:

• Translation of Kardec’s works into Portuguese (1875)
• Expansion among intellectuals in the late 19th century
• National visibility through Chico Xavier’s work and other well-known mediums

In Brazil, “Kardecist” became a convenient way to clarify that Spiritism is distinct from Umbanda, Candomblé, or other spiritualist traditions — all worthy of respect but different from Kardec’s codification.

So, Is There a Real Difference?

The answer is straightforward: there is no essential difference.

• Spiritism is the original name Allan Kardec gave to the Doctrine of the Spirits.
• Kardecism is merely an informal or popular way of saying Spiritism codified by Kardec.

Some purists dislike the term, but as Kardec himself reminded us, what truly matters is intention, not labels. If the word helps people understand what Spiritism is, it serves its purpose.

Living the Doctrine: Beyond Labels

Ultimately, being a Spiritist — with or without adjectives — means much more than using a certain term. It is about living Jesus’ teachings in the light of Spiritism:

• practicing charity daily;
• studying and understanding the Codification;
• seeking constant moral improvement;
• exercising reasoned faith without dogmatism.

As Paulo Bomfim’s friend once said: