Luiz Fuchs (photo) was born in a Spiritist family in the Brazilian city of São Paulo, where he works as a volunteer at the Batuíra Spiritist Group. He has a degree in History and is a retired audit from Brazil’s tax office. He is a well-known Spiritist speaker, who has played an important role in the dissemination of the teachings, as he explains in the following interview.

What aspect of Spiritism strikes you the most?

That question opens the doors to a vast possibility of answers. If I have to choose one, I would say that it is the fact that Spiritism is considered the delta of the traditions of thought. Spiritism is a cultural synthesis produced in our time: it collects the positive achievements of human culture, along history, and becomes the delta described by Herculano Pires. Spiritism provides a new cosmic vision for the new times, safeguarding the positive aspects of philosophical tradition. It inherits the genius of Socrates and Plato and, as the promised consoler, reaches the higher spheres of superior revelations, which have enabled us to reach the current phase of more mature spiritual knowledge.

What is lacking for Spiritism to reach its mass communication goals, regarding print, verbal or virtual forms of communication?

As soon as Allan Kardec published The Spirits´Book he offered us the Spiritist Review and the Parisian Society of Spiritist Studies – al of them important projects from which we can learn quite a bit in our efforts to help disseminate the Teachings and organise our institutions. I strongly believe that we would benefit by taking a deep look into those reflections and by establishing a dialogue with academic organisations.

What is your assessment of the history of the Spiritist Movement in Brazil, from its early days, and taking into account its recent achievements?

The process of implementing Spiritism on Earth faced the challenges inherent to our human condition. It has not been different in Brazil. Much material has been produced contrary to the principles laid out by Kardec. Many say this subject is a “pain,” but more than that it is a very relevant one. On the other hand, the Brazilian Spiritist Movement has made surprising progress in some areas, well worth of our causes. Well worth the “audacity of good men and women,” to quote a remarkable expression by Kardec.

What should Spiritist speakers and lecturers prioritise when they address the wider public?

Our talks and seminars must strive to establish a dialogue with contemporary culture. We have a great deal to offer to the world and we must be able to accept the world’s contribution, taking a critical approach in order to deepen our knowledge of Spiritism. Our talks, lectures and seminars would become richer and more consistent and, at the same time, well connected with the dynamicity of the times we live in.

How about the public: is there a particular interest for one or other subject or are people indifferent to the areas you study to focus on?

There is a wide range and different levels of interest in our society concerning the learning and cultural process. In Spiritism it should not be different. However, Spiritism encourages involvement and participation from the public. It is up to the different organisations to spot that and offer a range of subjects and methodology that meet the diversity in the demand. There are different audiences, with different levels of anxiety that need to be dealt with case by case. Sometimes I come to the conclusion that the lack of interest of many is a result of that. Is it a difficult problem? Perhaps, but we can start to thing about it.

How to improve our strategies to communicate with the wider public, regardless of the media chosen?

That is a crucial issue. It is so important that we should have specialised studies about it. There is huge production of material on the Internet. There is good communication with the wider public in the different Spiritist Centres too. We have specialised organisations. And there is plenty of material produced on our universities focusing on Spiritism. My answer to that is: the Spiritist Centres, federations and specialised bodies must talk to each other and find the answers we need.

From all your memories in the Spiritist Movement, is there a particular one you would like to share with us?

It was a traditional event of the Spiritist Movement in the city of São Paulo, COMJESP, in 1982. It gathered 1,000 young Spiritist from the state of São Paulo. I took part in the organisation of the event that year and met then a very special person, Eliana Rizzini, my wife.

Is there anything else you would like to add?