Spiritualism vs. Spiritism — What's the Difference?

A movement characterized by séances and mediumship.

Practices mediumship within a structured philosophical system.

Does not follow a strict doctrine or theology.

Involves charitable work as a form of moral development.

A belief system focusing on communication with the spirit world, especially through mediums.

A religious doctrine established by Allan Kardec, emphasizing moral progress through reincarnation.

Emphasizes evidence of the afterlife through direct spirit contact.

Focuses on educational and healing aspects of mediumship.

Often associated with paranormal activities and psychic phenomena.

Believes in a systematic study of the spirit world.

Spiritualism is a religious movement based on the belief that the spirits of the dead exist and have both the ability and the inclination to communicate with the living. The afterlife, or the "spirit world", is seen by spiritualists, not as a static place, but as one in which spirits continue to evolve.

Spiritism, a branch of Spiritualism, is a religious and philosophical doctrine established in France in the 1850s by the French teacher, educational writer and translator Hippolyte Léon Denizard Rivail, who, under the pen name Allan Kardec, wrote books on "the nature, origin, and destiny of spirits, and their relation with the corporeal world".Kardec's works are the result of the study of mediumistic phenomena, which he initially believed to be of a fraudulent nature. By questioning several mediums in trance on a variety of matters, he compiled, compared and synthesized the answers obtained from spirits into a body of knowledge known as the codification.

The belief that the dead communicate with the living, as through a medium.

The belief that the dead communicate with the living; spiritualism.

The practices or doctrines of those holding such a belief.

Spiritualism

A philosophy, doctrine, or religion emphasizing the spiritual aspect of being.

Alternative form of Spiritism

(philosophy) A doctrine, opposing materialism, that claims transcendency of the divine being, the altogether spiritual character of reality and the value of inwardness of consciousness.

Spiritualsm.

A belief that the dead communicate with the living, especially through a medium. Used in a broader sense than spiritism/Kardecism.

The quality or state of being spiritual.

The quality or state of being spiritual.

The doctrine, in opposition to the materialists, that all which exists is spirit, or soul - that what is called the external world is either a succession of notions impressed on the mind by the Deity, as maintained by Berkeley, or else the mere educt of the mind itself, as taught by Fichte.

A belief that departed spirits hold intercourse with mortals by means of physical phenomena, as by rappng, or during abnormal mental states, as in trances, or the like, commonly manifested through a person of special susceptibility, called a medium; spiritism; the doctrines and practices of spiritualists.

(theology) any doctrine that asserts the separate existence of God

The belief that the spirits of dead people can communicate with people who are still alive (especially via a medium)

Concern with things of the spirit

Spiritism views reincarnation as a process of spiritual evolution and moral learning, essential for the soul’s progress.

Spiritualism is centered on spirit communication without a structured doctrine, whereas Spiritism includes a detailed philosophical system with beliefs in reincarnation and moral evolution.

Core practices of Spiritism include mediumship, study of spiritual laws, and engaging in charitable works.

Allan Kardec is considered the founder of Spiritism, having established its doctrines in the 19th century.

Spiritism practices a form of mediumship that includes not only communication but also healing and educational roles.

In Spiritualism, individuals may develop mediumistic abilities through practice and believed innate sensitivity.

Spiritism promotes ethics of love, charity, and moral improvement as fundamental principles.

Yes, Spiritualism is often considered a religion, focusing on the belief that spirits of the dead can communicate with the living.

The works of Allan Kardec, including "The Spirits' Book" and "The Gospel According to Spiritism," are foundational to Spiritism.

Yes, both believe in an afterlife, but Spiritism also incorporates the belief in reincarnation as a continuation of spiritual progress.

Yes, there are Spiritualist churches and communities worldwide, particularly in the United States and the United Kingdom.

Spiritualists view communication with spirits primarily as a way to provide evidence of life after death and to comfort the living.

Séances in Spiritualism are often for communicating with spirits for personal reasons, whereas in Spiritism, they are more regulated and focus on teachings and healing.

Belief in a higher power is commonly present in both, but how it is understood can vary significantly between individual practitioners and groups.

Charitable work in Spiritism is viewed as essential for spiritual growth and practicing the virtues taught by spirits.