The thought above was mentioned by Adriana Maria Santos da Silva (photo)in an interview with us. She is part of the board of directors of the Amor e Caridade (Love and Charity) Spiritist Centre in her hometown, São José dos Campos, in the Brazilian state of São Paulo. She talked to us about the Spiritist Centre where she works as a volunteer and the Spiritist Movement in the city.

When was the Amor e Caridade Spiritist Centre founded?

On December 19th, 1932. Alberto Mota Ferreira was its president and José do Amaral, its vice-president.

What are the group’s main goals?

It is a private, religious, non-profitable organisation, which aims to provide education and social assistance. Its goal is to study, practice and help disseminate Spiritism in its three aspects: philosophical, scientific and religious, based on the works of Allan Kardec. Our social assistance programme, named after Auta de Souza, is aimed at helping our brothers and sisters in need. They have access to a food bank and receive donations of clothes, especially for babies, and they are helped in other ways if a need emerges. We have talks, with Spiritist speakers from our region and other parts of the state of São Paulo, study groups, healing, mediunship groups, counselling and educational and social activities.

What is your assessment of the Spiritist Movement in your region?

In this region, the number of people who follow Spiritism continues to grow year by year. There are more than 50 Spiritist Groups in activity in our city. That means that we’re on the right direction, disseminating these Teachings that bring us so much enlightenment.

What about the Spiritist Movement across the country?

In most countries, Spiritism is seen as a 19th century fad. In Brazil, the situation is very different. The 3.8 million followers of the Teachings codified by Allan Kardec make of Brazil the biggest Spiritist nation on the planet.

Is there any particular experience or aspect from your experience as a Spiritist that you would like to share with us?

Yes. Spiritism has taught me who I am, where I come from, where I am going to and what I am doing on this planet. It has taught me that I need to look inside me and understand me before I can understand other. After all, if I have my internal conflicts and flaws, everyone else who lives with me will have too. Spiritism has shown me that freewill is not exclusive to me. Everyone has it. So I must respect those who think and act in a different way. I don’t have the right to impose anything on anyone. And if I make bad use of my freewill, I will inevitably have to repair my mistake in this incarnation or the next. We will reap what we sow. I have rights and obligations and my rights beginwhere my neighbour’s end. In Spiritism I have learned that all religions are good and, for that reason, I must respect them as I appreciate if they respect mine. Salvation doesn’t depend on religion, but on the practice of charity with ourselves and other people. Spiritism has taught me that our brothers and sisters are anyone who live with us on this planet, from whatever religion, ethnic group, heterosexual or homosexual, rich or poor, black or white… We must therefore help other people and live well with others, respecting everyone without prejudice. Charity is not only about donating money. It is about tolerance, patience, giving a friendly hug, delivering a comforting message, visiting the sick in hospital and saying a prayer for someone. Being Christian is more than taking part in religious ceremonies, belonging to a particular denomination or falsely declaring your love without putting into practice the teachings of Christ. In other words, faith without action is dead faith. And more: Spiritism has taught me that Jesus is our guide and the model to be followed, that each one of us is at a different phase of spiritual development, that we all have a past from other incarnations, that we are here to redeem and repair the mistakes from previous lives. In sum, we live in family with previous friends and enemies so we can learn to be one tomorrow that we are today.