Marcos André Papa: 

“Power does not change anyone; it reveals who
we really are”

The local councillor from the Brazilian city of Ribeirão Preto talks
about the relationship between politics and Spiritism
 

	Brazil will host this year the football World Cup, in the months of June and July. Later in the year, it will hold presidential elections. We are marking this year also the 150th anniversary of the publication of The Gospel According to Spiritism. In this edition, we speak to Marcos André Papa (photo), a Spiritist from birth from the city of Ribeirão Preto, in São
Paulo state. He has a degree in Law and is a local councillor. He also plays an important role in the local Spiritist Movement. In this interview, he talks about the political developments in Brazil in the light of Spiritism:

How do you assess the political development of Brazil in the light of Spiritism? 

We have become more mature in political terms, but there is still a long way to go. Representative Democracy in Brazil has virtually collapsed. We elect politicians who do not work for the real interests of society. They work for their own interests, combined with those of big money, in a cruel vicious circle that can no longer be sustained. We must evolve towards Participating Democracy, in which we put real pressure on those we elect as our representatives so they work to meet the demands of their communities. Otherwise we will continue to pay high taxes to get very poor public services, which forces us to pay twice for security, health and education. I read recently the text “The Aristocracies” by Allan Kardec, which makes an assessment of our development since the aristocracy imposed by force until the intellectual aristocracy. We are evolving towards a moral and intellectual form of aristocracy, which gives us hope, but there is a lot still to be done. 

How can we link politics and Spiritism? 

Through charity! When we do our civic duties, demanding our rights and improving the lives of those who did not get what we got, with the grace of God… We learn to do good to be happy, not to go to “heaven”. When we take this approach into the exercise of our citizenship, we will make the biggest peaceful revolution earth has ever seen.  

Is it easier or more difficult for Spiritists to have a political activity in our days, where we face so many social challenges? 

It is easier. The field is open for us to make our commitments in the political area. We need to act in a Spiritist manner, making the politics of love. Greed unites people who want to subjugate others. Love is stronger than greed, but it requires more action and less indifference. When we have ethical and talented people occupying the strategic positions in government, good will prevail. We have reincarnated in a society with many needs, which provides us with the divine opportunity of helping. Every generation had its difficulties. We are prepared to face ours. All we need is to get down to it, to take our posts in the main governing bodies and reform them, inspired by the universal cosmic values unveiled by Christ, reaffirmed and explained by Spiritism. 

Why does politics is so seductive to the point of corrupting so many? 

Power does not change anyone; it reveals who we really are. If we already have in us the universal ethical values of justice, fraternity, charity and loyalty, nothing will corrupt us. We will very soon be returning to the Spiritual World to meet those who planned this incarnation with us, and they will ask questions about what we have done with the talents we have been trusted with. We all reincarnate with certain tendencies. We are a synthesis an evolution process of thousands of years. It is up to us to choose which tendencies we will feed. We will reap what we sow.  

How should the Spiritist ideally approach politics? 

He or she should, first and foremost, defend public interest and take action that will improve transparency. We should use the tool of politics to serve the community, not to be served by politics. André Luiz, in Spiritist Practice, tell us that “in the political battles, [we should] identify clearly the social aspirations and the Christian Spiritist ideal, without mixing up the interests of Caesar with those of the Lord.” It has been challenging and exciting to try to put that into practice.  

What do you say about voting with conscience? 

It is essential. We need to practice charity towards other people, as we live in society. We must look after our city. By doing that, we look after the people who live with us and we get rid of old-fashioned populist politicians who rely on perpetual misery in order to come up with punctual, individual help and keep their seat forever.  

How do you develop a healthier political conscience in the wider public? 

We have a divine inclination towards fraternity, but we are still selfish. We are a universal family and we need indeed to wake up to the need of adopting a socially fraternal approach. We will have to respond to that as we have the opportunity to do it. But each soul has its own awakening time. The politicians are in charge. They make the laws that regulate life in our societies. Either we seize the opportunity and react or they will carry on controlling our lives as they wish. Our society, our citizens need urgently to support those who have embraced politics moved by love. Otherwise, traditional greedy politicians will continue to control all aspects of life. 

Your final thoughts… 

We must not discuss party politics inside our Spiritist Groups. We can and we must indeed discuss those matters within proper institutions in civil society, but always outside the Spiritist Centre. The combination of our prayers and the action of the Spiritual Benefactors who work in each particular Spiritist Group create a healthy Spiritual atmosphere that offers relief, which feeds us and makes us stronger. We must preserve that divine atmosphere, which is more important than our personal political opinions. Spiritist Centres must embrace everyone, without any distinction, as we learned in the parable of the Good Samaritan.