In light of a conservative perspective

entre a liberdade do Livro dos Espíritos e a manutenção de um status quo da cultura brasileira

Abstract

Brazilian Spiritism, when introduced in the 19th century, was widely considered a progressive and emancipatory proposal. Based on the ideas of Allan Kardec, Spiritism aimed to reconcile science, philosophy, and religion, promoting the moral and intellectual progress of humanity. However, over time, it has been observed that many segments of the Spiritist movement in Brazil began to adopt more conservative positions, especially regarding social and political changes. The purpose of this study is to investigate the motivations and influences that support this shift between the progressive Spiritism of The Spirits' Book and its conservative adaptation in Brazil. The central question we seek to understand is how and why this duality manifests. To this end, we employ a methodology based on a bibliographic survey in media networks, prioritizing relevant speeches and studies, as well as a systematic consultation of specialized references. An important conclusion of this work is the identification of a conservative trend in the practice of Spiritist values, which adjusts the Kardecian discourse, shifting the focus from everyday social and civic transformation to a future spiritual evolution, thereby legitimizing the preservation of structures and values considered essential for social stability in the present.