Unión Espiritista Cristiana de Filipinas, Inc.

Unión Espiritista Cristiana de Filipinas, Inc. is a religious organization with about a thousand affiliated local centers (churches) with more than a million members and believers in the Philippines. Fact|date=January 2008 There are also affiliated local centers in other locations, such as California, Canada, Hong Kong and Hawaii, where there are large Filipino communities. Union members are called "Union Spiritists" and are affiliated with the International Spiritualist Federation. [cite web |url=http://www.theisf.com/ |title=International Spiritualist Federation]

History

Spiritism had been practiced in the Philippines [cite web |url=http://www.ecrealty.net/kar/alvear.htm|title=Kardec and The Christian Spiritism in the Philippines] before the country was "discovered" by Ferdinand Magellan in 1521. [cite web|url=http://www.metamind.net/licaucoart.html|title=American Traces History] The Unión Espiritista Cristiana de Filipinas was founded on 19 February 1905, when a group of spiritists in Pangasinan, Philippines joined another group in Manila intending to organize a congregation uniting all spiritists in the Philippines. On 19 February 1909, the founders executed the "Escritura social" (articles of incorporation) and named the religious association “Unión Espiritista Cristiana de Filipinas, Inc.”

The Union claims it is the first asian religious organization based on the christian "Spiritist Doctrine" [cite web |url=http://www.spiritistdoctrine.com/home.htm|title=Spiritist Doctrine] propounded by Allan Kardec [cite web |url=http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%204:24;&version=50|title=Bible, John 4:24] , which served as a basis for subsequent christian spiritist organizations in other countries. [cite web |url=http://www.ecrealty.net/kar/alvear.htm|title=Kardec and The Christian Spiritism in the Philippines]

Aims

The philosophy of the Union is reflected, in part, by it adoption of the following:Fact|date=July 2008
*Lemma - “Hacia Dios por la ciencia y el amor” (meaning "Towards God through Wisdom and Love")
*Doctrine - “Sin caridad y el amor no hay salvación posible” (meaning "Without Charity and Love there is no Salvation")
*Motto - “Uno para todos, todos para uno” (meaning "One for All, All for One", based on some biblical passages [cite web |url=http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Corinthians%2012:%2026-27;&version=50;|title=Bible, Corinthians 12:26-27] [cite web |url=http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Corinthians%2010:%2017;&version=50;|title=Bible, Corinthians 10:17] )

The aims of the Union can be generally described at evangelical, [ To propagate the evangelical morality, belief and faith in God and teachings of the Holy Spirit and the Ministering Spirits within the confines of Christian Spiritual Science; To propagate the Direct revelations/ teachings, governance, administration and guidance of the Holy Spirit (Jesus the Christ) and the Ministering Spirits; To inculcate into the minds of the human society the knowledge and belief that all men are spiritually brothers under the Fatherhood of only one Spiritual Father, and in oneness of one and the same God; the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit; To inculcate into the minds of the human society the meaning of soul/ spirit’s salvation and progress for the triumph of peace, brotherhood and justice among all men; To help the destitute who may be found on the mundane and passional path, so that they may see the light, which will lead them towards moral and spiritual progress; To foster the moral and spiritual culture of mankind and its sacred mission(s); thus, promoting the knowledge of oneself and the sentiment of love and kindness towards one’s neighbors; To promote social and spiritual progress for the triumph of peace, brotherhood and justice among all men; To disseminate the principles of liberty, equality and brotherhood among mankind without distinction as to race, sex, social standing, religious beliefs, or political affiliation and to accept all as brothers; ] ministerial [ To apply the remedy – “A drop of affection is better than a glass of coercion”; to work for the upliftment of the ailing humanity and to establish centers, schools, healing centers, asylums, libraries and cooperatives] and administrative. [To inculcate in the minds of men that this is a non-stock, non-sectarian and non-political, but religious association and to own and acquire real or personal properties by purchase, donations, lease, usufruct or in any manner authorized by law for the establishment of its centers and other facilities that shall be for the betterment of the Union.] Fact|date=July 2008

Dissimilar Beliefs and Practices

The beliefs and practices of “Union Spiritists” vary both within and among different Centers. Members attibute these differences, citing biblical passages, [cite web |url=http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Corinthians%2012:4-11;&version=50;|title=Bible, Corinthians 12:4-11] to the following:
*different understanding of the Holy Spirit;
*disparate practices in spiritual sessions;
*dissimilar acceptance of “Ministering Spirits”;
*different degrees of understanding of the messages;
*various levels and classifications of mediums; and
*diverse reference sources.

Center Tagumpay ng Katotohanan

The Center Tagumpay ng Katotohanan ("Center") is one of the religious organizations affiliated with the Union. Its name means Triumph of Truth.Fact|date=September 2008

History

In 1925, officers and members of the Union began holding sessions in Baliwag, Bulacan. The Center was formally inaugurated in 1927.

In the later part of 1945, a member and medium of the Union from Malabon,Rizal, visited the Center. Members claim that the medium experienced a direct revelation from the Archangel Michael supporting the belief of the members in spiritism.

Beliefs

Members believe that an "incarnating spirit" (the immortal breath of life from God), [cite web |url=http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%202:7;&version=50|title=Bible, Genesis 2:7] manifests its physical existence into human beings, also known as a "living soul":
*To fulfill the promised mission on earth, either for expiation, reparation, [cite web |url=http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%205:25-26;&version=50|title=Bible, Matthew 5:25-26] sacred mission or to bring progress on earth;
*To learn and gain experiences in earth-lives for advancement and purification;
*To return safely to the original point of origin, but to a higher degree of destiny in the "Kingdom of Heavens".Further, they believe:
*That God is Spirit; [John 4: 24- "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”]
*In "oneness" of God: Father, Son (Jesus) and Holy Spirit; [John 1: 1,14-"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.", Revelation 22: 16- 17 “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star; And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely."]
*In "direct teaching" [John 14: 26- "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you;"John 16: 13- "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come."] through mediums, [I Corinthians 12: 7- "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all; Acts 2: 4 "And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."] guided by the Holy Spirit and "Ministering Spirits";
*That only the Holy Spirit and "Ministering Spirits" know and can reveal the secrets of life and hidden depths of God, and thereby open spiritual faculties [ I Corinthians 2: 9-10- "But as it is written: Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man, The things which God has prepared for those who love Him; But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God."] and give spiritual gifts to each person; [I Corinthians 12: 10- 11- "to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues; But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills."]
*That the destiny of spirit is commensurate with the extent of good works, [2 Corinthians 5: 10 "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad." and learning gained during physical life; [1 Timothy 2:3-4 "For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."]
*That the spirit world is distinct from the "Kingdom of Heavens", [ Revelation 22: 14- 15 "Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie."] and is separated therefrom by a God-positioned barrier ("flaming sword"); [Genesis 3:24 "So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.] [Luke 16: 26 "And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us."] and
*That impure individual spirits exist [I John 4: 1- "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world."] within the material world who have neither access to, nor knowledge of, the "Kingdom of Heavens". [ I Corinthians 2: 11- 12 "For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God."]

ources of Beliefs

From Direct revelation of the Holy Spirit

Members believe that mediums communicate [cite web |url=http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%201:35;&version=50|title=Bible, Luke 1:35] with "ministering spirits" [cite web |url=http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%201:14;&version=50|title=Bible, Hebrews 1:14] through the power of the Holy Spirit. [cite web |url=http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%201:8;&version=50|title=Bible, Acts 1:8] [cite web |url=http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%202:1-4;&version=50|title=Bible, Acts 2:1-4] The mediums [cite web |url=http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Corinthians%2012:10;&version=50;|title=Bible, Corinthians 12:10] perform public revelations during sessions of the Center [cite web |url=http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1John%204:1;&version=50;|title=Bible, John4:1] and affiated centers. [cite web |url=http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Corinthians%202:9-11;&version=50;|title=Bible, Corinthians 2:9-11]

An example of a direct revelation relates to the local center members belief in the existence of the "Lake of Fire" [cite web |url=http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelations%2020:14-15;&version=50;|title=Bible, Revelations 20:14-15] and the “flaming sword”, [cite web |url=http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%203:24;&version=50;|title=Bible, Genesis 3:24] subjects that had been debated within the spiritist community. [cite web |url=http://uecfi.net/mb.pdf|title=Heaven and Hell] Based on revelations,local center members believe that the location of the "Lake of Fire"(Hades) [cite web |url=http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2016:22-26;&version=50;|title=Bible, Luke16:22-26] is the atmosphere that envelops the earth and that cosmic rays are evidence of the "flaming sword" separating earth from the Kingdom of Heaven, only in this particular local center.

The Holy Scriptures

The Bible [cite web |url=http://www.biblegateway.com/versions/index.php?action=getVersionInfo&vid=50|title=Bible] is the primary written reference used by members of the Center. [cite web |url=http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2Corinthians%203:6;&version=50;|title=Bible, Corinthians3:6]

The Teaching and Philosophy of Alan Kardec is practice like the founders intended. However, many members who never heard Alan Kardec names,teaching and philosophy causes to debate,surprises rejection and acceptance among many members.

The Short Spiritist Doctrine

Members also base their beliefs on a book called "The Short Spiritist Doctrine", [cite web |url=http://www.metamind.net/spidoc.html|title=Short Spiritist Doctrine] which they believe provides context for their spiritist beliefs [cite web |url=http://www.ecrealty.net/kar/alvear.htm|title=Kardec and The Christian Spiritism in the Philippines] and describes the second coming of the Holy Spirit. [cite web|url= http://www.ecrealty.net/kar/kardecholi.htm|title=The Second Coming of the Holy Spirit] [cite web |url=http://www.christianspiritism.com/christianspiritism/Second%20Coming.html |title=Second Coming]

Various Experiences of the Believers

Members share testimony [cite web |url=http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians3:2-3;&version=50|title=Bible, Corinthians 3:2-3] regarding their various experiences, [cite web |url=http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians12:4-11;&version=50|title=Bible, Corinthians 12:4-11] believing them to be blessings and rewards given according to the degree of faith, good works, gained experiences, understanding, wisdom, culture and level of spiritual learning. They also believe in the gift of healing through medium-healersFact|date=September 2008 and guidance received from Sunday spiritual sessions. [cite web |url=http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2016:13;&version=50|title=Bible, John 16:13]

alvation and progress of the Spirit

*Spirit’s salvation from the "Lake of Fire" (Hades) and the opportunity to cross over God's power-positioned encircling heat-barrier (flaming sword) into the Kingdom;
*Spirit’s advancement and purification through the process of multiple incarnations and reincarnations under the power and direction of the Holy Spirit.

The spirit's salvation from the "Lake of Fire"

Members believe that the spirits of dead who committed evil deeds during their lifetimes [cite web |url=http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelations%2022:15;&version=50;|title=Bible, Revelations 22:15] remain confined [cite web |url=http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2016:22-26;&version=50;|title=Bible, Luke16:22-26] within the Earth’s atmosphere [cite web |url=http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelations%2021:8;&version=50;|title=Bible, Revelations 21:8] where they suffer in a "Lake of Fire" [cite web |url=http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%205:25-26;&version=50;|title=Bible, Matthew 5:25-26] until allowed by God to be born again in human flesh [cite web |url=http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%203:3-8;&version=50;|title=Bible, John 3:3-8] or are accompanied by the Archangel Michael to the Kingdom of Heaven.

pirit's advancement and purification

Members believe that spirits attain advancement through various earth-life incarnations, [cite web |url=http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ecclesiastes%209:11-12;&version=50;|title=Bible, Ecclesiastes 9:11-12] based upon their beliefs, thoughts and in acts. [cite web |url=http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelations%2022:14;&version=50;|title=Bible, Revelations 22:14] Upon death, the assigned spirit-protector or Archangel Michael immediately lifts up the discarnate spirit [cite web |url=http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Thessalonians%204:16-17;&version=50;|title=Bible, 1Thessalonians 4:16-17] to protect it from ill-behaved spirits while travelling within the earth’s atmosphere for forty (40) earth-days, [cite web |url=http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%201:3;&version=50;|title=Bible, Acts 1:3] after which, the spirit-protector will help in crossing the God positioned heat-barrier to the spirit's destined location in the Kingdom of Heavens, which is inhabited only by spirits. [cite web |url=http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelations%207:13-17;&version=50;|title=Bible, Revelations 7:13-17 John 14 : 2 "In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And where I go you know, and the way you know.” I Corinthians 15: 40 "There are also celestial bodies and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. 41 There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory."] Members believe that the spirits reside on, and travel among, planets [cite web |url=http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelations%2021:10-21;&version=50;|title=Bible, Revelations 21:10-21] depending upon their degree of purification. They believe that the next destination [cite web |url=http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelations%2022:12;&version=50;|title=Bible, Revelations 22:12] of the spirit is dependant upon the:
*mission accomplished on earth;
*life lived on earth;
*charity works done with love on earth;
*faith and understanding; and
*wisdom and spiritual knowledge gained on earth.

Reincarnation

The Members believe [1 Corinthians 2:9-11 (NKJV) 9 But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.” ] that earth was created as the place for spirits to incarnate into material bodies [ Genesis 2:7 “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.”] and to progress through various earth-life experiences. [Ecclesiastes 1:13 13 “And I set my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven; this burdensome task God has given to the sons of man, by which they may be exercised.”] [ Ecclesiastes 9: 2, 11 (KJV) 2 “All things come alike to all:One event happens to the righteous and the wicked; To the good, the clean, and the unclean; To him who sacrifices and him who does not sacrifice. As is the good, so is the sinner; He who takes an oath as he who fears an oath;”9: 11 “I returned and saw under the sun that—The race is not to the swift, Nor the battle to the strong, Nor bread to the wise, Nor riches to men of understanding, Nor favor to men of skill; But time and chance happen to them all.”] They belief that every physical existence of a spirit serves as a pathway for its advancement [ John 14:26 “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you”.] until it attains the degree of purity and perfection, [ 2 Timothy 3:17 (KJV) “That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”] [ Revelation 7:13-16; 22: 5 (NKJV) 13 “ Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?” 14 And I said to him, “Sir, you know.” So he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. 16 They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, or any heat; 22:5 There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.”] that it no longer reincarnates into human form (unless sent on a sacred mission to earth). [ Matthew 17:10-13 (NKJV) 10 “And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” 11 Jesus answered and said to them, “Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things. 12 But I say to you that Elijah has come already, and they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished. Likewise the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them of John the Baptist.”]

Members believe that conflicts between spirit and human desires [ Galatians 5: 1717 “For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.”] [Romans 7:18-20 , 18 “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. 19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. 20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.” ] [ Ephesians 2:14-16 (KJV) 14 “For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity;” Colossians 1:22 “In the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight:”] cause humans to sin, for which the spirit suffers in the “Lake of Fire” [ Revelation 20:13-14; 21: 8, 13 “The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death; 21:8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”] [1 Peter 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead”] [ Ephesians 2:1-3 By Grace Through Faith 1 “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.”] at the end of human life. [ Matthew 5:25-26, 25 “Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer and you be thrown into prison. 26 Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny.”] [ Revelation 22:14“Blessed are those who do His commandments that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.”] They believe the material world serves as the “school of learning” of spirits, [1 Corinthians 2:10 “But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.”] and the process of "reincarnation" [ John 3:3; 4-7 3 “Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.] permits the spirit’s salvation and progress to the "Kingdom of Heavens".

Notes

References

[http://www.biblegateway.com/versions/?action=getVersionInfo&vid=63] Bible, Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition, Muskegon, Michigan, USA: Gospel Communications International, Retrieved on 2007-10-01 [http://www.biblegateway.com/versions/index.php?action=getVersionInfo&vid=50] Bible, King James version.

External links

* [http://www.theisf.com/] International Spiritualist Federation