798. Will Spiritism become a common belief, or will it only be accepted by a few?
“It will certainly become a common belief and will mark a new era in the history of humankind, for it belongs to nature itself. In fact, the time has come in which it must take its place among the other branches of human knowledge. It will nevertheless have to withstand great struggles – more against personal interests than against conviction – because you must not ignore the fact that there are persons interested in fighting it, some out of self-centeredness, others from purely material motives. Its opponents, however, will become more and more isolated and will finally be forced to think like the others, lest they make themselves look foolish.”
Ideas are only transformed over time, never suddenly. They weaken from generation to generation, and end up disappearing along with those who have professed them, who are replaced by other individuals imbued with new principles, as is the case with political ideas in particular. Look at paganism. There are few today who profess the religious ideas of pagan times; nevertheless, many centuries after the advent of Christianity, they have left behind traces that only a complete renewal of humankind can erase. It will be the same with Spiritism. It has made considerable progress, but for two or three generations there will still be a phenomenon of incredulity that only time will erase. However, its forward progress will be more rapid than was the progress of Christianity because Christianity itself has opened the paths and has provided support for Spiritism. Christianity had to destroy; Spiritism had only to build.
799. In what way can Spiritism contribute to progress?
“By destroying materialism – one of the sores of society – it enables people to comprehend where their true interests lie. Since the future life is no longer veiled by doubt, men and women will better understand that they can ensure their future based on the present. Destroying the prejudices of sect, caste and color, Spiritism teaches them about the great solidarity that must unite them as brothers and sisters.”
800. Shouldn’t we perhaps fear that Spiritism may not be able to defeat humans’ indifference and their attachment to material things?
“To suppose that any cause could act as some kind of magic spell to transform humans would be to know very little about them. Individuals’ ideas are modified little by little and generations are needed to completely erase old habits. Transformation, therefore, can only be realized with time, gradually, step by step. With each new generation a part of the veil has been lifted, and Spiritism has now come to remove it once and for all. However, even if it had the effect of correcting the defects of only one person, it would be a step for that person and therefore a great good since that first step would make further ones easier.”
801. Why haven’t the Spirits taught from the earliest times what they are teaching today?
“You do not teach to children the same things you teach to adults, just as you do not give newborns food they cannot digest. Each thing has its own time. The Spirits taught many things that humans distorted or did not understand, but which they are now capable of comprehending. Even though their teaching was incomplete, they prepared the soil to receive the seed which is now about to bear fruit.”
802. Since Spiritism must mark a step in the progress of humankind, why don’t the Spirits speed up this progress through manifestations that are so widespread and patent that they could lead the most incredulous to believe?
“You desire miracles, but God has sown so-called miracles by the handful right under your feet; yet, you still have people who deny them. Did Christ himself convince his contemporaries by the wonders he performed? Even today, don’t you see those who deny the most obvious facts occurring under their very eyes? Aren’t there those who would not believe even if they did see them? No, it is not by miracles that God guides humankind. Out of divine goodness, God wishes to leave to it the merit of being convinced through reason.”
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