In the prologue of [What is Spiritism], Allan Kardec defines Spiritism as being:

"Spiritism is a science that concerns of the nature, origin and destiny of the spirits, as well as of our relationships with the spiritual world”.

 In another passage, still in the mentioned work, the Codifier adds:

"Spiritism is at the same time experimental science and it Philosophical Doctrine.  As practical science, has its essence in the relationships that we can establish with the spirits. As philosophy understand all moral consequences of those relationships ".

We can observed the thought of the Codifier, that Spiritism has three different aspects and are complementary:

a)                  Experimental Science;

b)                  Philosophical Doctrine;

c)                  The Religious Aspect (the current moral consequences of the previous two).

Emmanuel, in [THE Consoler] he says:

“We can take Spiritism, symbolized as a triangle of spiritual forces. The science and the philosophy link to the Earth that symbolic illustration, however, the religion is the divine angle that connect it to the sky".

In another mediunic message, the benefactor adds:

“It won’t be just in our movement liberator of the spiritual life, to do without the science that studies, of the philosophy that explain and the religion that exalts".

a) Spiritism and Science

Spiritism in its scientific aspect, demonstrates the existence of the soul and r immortality, mainly through the mediunic exchange between the incarnates and disincarnates.

Spiritism concentrates on the thorough study of the mediunic phenomenon, its influences in people's lives, as well as the characteristics of spirits, the origin of spirits, their nature and their destinies.

The scientific aspect of the Spiritism was developed in two works of Allan Kardec, “The Book of Mediums” and “The Genesis”.

b) Spiritism and Philosophy

When a Human Being asks, interrogates, or ponders, he wants to know "how" and "why" of the things, of the facts, of the events, it is born the philosophy that shows that “how” are the things and “why” they are like they are.

In the philosophical aspect, Spiritism concentrates on Human problems, their doubts, their inquires, their position like an eternal person in search of the Divinity, through multiple reincarnations. Spiritism examines the attributes of God, its relationship with the Human Race and presents a moral code through which the creature will identify, someday, with their Creator. The philosophical aspect can be found in “The Spirits Book”.

c) Spiritism and Religion

When interrogates about the aspect religion of Spiritism, medium Francisco Cândido Xavier said [Interviews­item 97]:

“We could represent, for example, the Science as being the Truth, the Religion, as being the Life and the Philosophy as being the Human creature's inquiry between the Truth and the Life. All the three aspects are very important, because the Philosophy always studies, Science always discovers, but Life always acts. All those aspects are essential, but the Religion is always the most important, because the truth is a light that the all will see, the inquiry is a process than all participates, but life should not ever be sacrificed and the Religion assures the life, assuring the order of life".

As religion, Spiritism concern about the moral consequences of the scientific-philosophical teaching, looks for in the teaching of Jesus, the elements that would orientate Man’s conduct.

However, Spiritism is not a constituted Religion, is not structured through rituals, sacraments, dogmas and priestly classes. But a religion in the sense- etymologic of the term  “ religare ”, in other words, elements of the creature's connection with the Creator. Religion as a life attitude, as way of proceeding, looking for an identification with God, not through external attitudes, artificial, automated, but through a straight life, dignity and fraternity.

The Spiritism is not just one more religion, because it doesn't have instituted cults, or images, or rituals, or myths, or superstitions, or paid priests. We can however, consider it in a religious aspect when it establishes a moral tie among men, leading them in the direction of the Creator, through the existence of Christ's moral teachings. It is in the religious aspect that divine greatness rests, for constituting the restoration of Jesus' Gospel, establishing man's definitive renewal, for the greatness of our immense spiritual future.

Kardec developed the religious aspect in the works “The Gospel According to Spiritism” and in “Heaven and Hell”.

12.1 - The Basic Works

The contents of the works published by Allan Kardec explain and consolidate the principles and the elements that constitute the Spiritist Doctrine in its totality, according to the teachings of the Spirits and systematically compiled by The Codifier. They represent an ethical, scientific, and philosophical patrimony of incalculable value, because they document the concentrated efforts of an immense legion of wise and good Spirits, who under Jesus loving guidance accompanied Allan Kardec’s tireless work.

In reality, his works constitute the unshakable foundation upon which other information received by more recent authors is assimilated gradually.

In examining the greatness of The Codifier’s basic works, Emmanuel affirms:

“After nineteen centuries of arbitrary theology, we would not be able to understand the Gospel and Jesus Christ if it wasn’t for Allan Kardec.”

The codification of the basic works, in chronological order of publication, is as follows:

1. “The Spirits Book” - April 18, 1857

2. “The Book of Mediums” - January 15, 1861

3. “The Gospel According to Spiritism” — April, 1864

4. “Heaven and Hell” - 1865

5. “Genesis, The Miracles and the Predictions”

- January 1868

Allan Kardec also wrote two smaller books: “What is Spiritism?” and “The Beginner Spiritist”. In 1890, P.G. Leymarie published the book “Posthumous Works”, which contained articles written by Kardec unknown to the public.

12.1.1 -The Spirits’ Book

The first work published by Kardec is, in its essence, a compilation of questions and answers with philosophical character. In 1019 items, the Codifier presents the basic principles of the Doctrine that will later be expanded in the other books. In the first part of the book the author studies the primary causes, God, the spirit, the matter (the body), the vital principle, and the principle of creation. In the second part of the book he studies the world of the Spirits, the incarnation and discarnation, the mission and the occupation of the Spirits and their inter-relationship with Men. The third part of the book has an eminently moral character. Kardec examines the Natural Law, which is divided into ten Moral Laws that govern all human relationships. Those Moral Laws are: Adoration, Work, Reproduction, Conservation, Destruction, Society, Progress, Equality, Freedom and Justice, and Love and Charity. In the last part of the book, The Codifier delves into Hope and Consolation, and the Law of Cause and Effect.

12.1.2 - The Mediums’ Book

On its frontispiece, the second book published bears the sub-title “A Guide for Mediums and Invocators”, and the summary of its contents is as follows:

“A special teaching from the Spirits about the theory of all sorts of manifestations, the means of communication with the invisible world   the development of mediumship, and the difficulties and pitfalls that one can encounter while practicing the Spiritist Doctrine”.

To this day, “The Book of Mediums” is considered to be the most complete treaty on the study of paranormal phenomenon of all time$’ and is, therefore, mandatory reading for those working in the field of mediumship.

12.1.3 - The Gospel According to Spiritism

With this work, the Spiritist Doctrine takes on a clearly religious character. Kardec carefully examines Christ’s words and the most significant passages of the New Testament in their moral aspect. In the Preface there is a summation of the contents of the book:

“The explanation of Christ ‘s moral maxims and their application on several circumstances of life, according to Spiritism.”

The book unfolds into 28 chapters of rare beauty and profound wisdom.

12.1.4 - Heaven and Hell

The fourth book is sub-titled “Divine Justice According to Spiritism”.

In its first part we have: Heaven, Hell, Angels, Demons, and the Law of Action and Reaction, showing the numerous nuances that encompass this universal principle.

In the second part of the book, The Codifier presents messages from discarnate spirits who communicated with the Spiritist Society of Paris.

12.1.5 - Genesis - The Miracles and Predictions According to Spiritism

One year before his death, Allan Kardec published his last great book. He saw fit to interpret the Old and the New Testaments according to the Spiritist Science. His first lines of introduction were:

“This new work constitutes another step forward, both in consequence and in application of Spiritism.

Its purpose is to study three points that have been diversely misinterpreted and commented to this day.”

“The Genesis, The Miracles and Predictions According to Spiritism. By Allan Kardec”