Homosexuality and Spiritism

Paulo Degering R Jr
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Translations, from Portuguese, are automatic. If you notice any errors in the text, help us identify them, clicking here.

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This is a rather complex subject, whose approach varies depending on the perspective used. Some attempt to address it through ideologies; others, through interpretations that disregard the very essence of human nature. There are even those who seek to justify human homosexual behavior by using the example of animals, as if it were merely an expression of instinctive and materialistic impulses. However, animals, lacking moral consciousness, can act in ways that, to human eyes, seem contradictory—as in cases of incest or infanticide. The issue of human behavior, however, cannot be resolved this way, as it involves the moral consciousness of the Spirit. Focusing on these points results in misunderstandings and discussions that lead nowhere. Discussing homosexuality in the context of Spiritism, from a doctrinal perspective, is therefore fundamental.

We must emphasize that Spiritism goes further and, because it is entirely moral, provides a simple and clear answer to the question: in everything, what matters is the Spirit, which has no gender, and its actions. Since the Spirit has free will, and as long as this free will does not result in harm to others, as in this case, it must be left free to act and its decisions must be respected.

The explanation that Kardec gives for what was known as an “anomaly” in his time, and which he demonstrates to be only “apparent”, is the following:

“If this influence of the corporeal life has repercussions on the spiritual life, the same happens when the Spirit passes from the spiritual to the corporeal life. In a new incarnation he will bring the character and inclinations he had as a Spirit; if he is advanced, he will be an advanced man; if he is late, he will be a late man.

By changing his sex, he will therefore be able, under this impression and in his new incarnation, to retain the tastes, tendencies and character inherent in the sex he has just left. This explains certain apparent anomalies in the character of certain men and women.”.

Therefore, there is only difference between man and woman in relation to the material organism, which is annihilated with the death of the body. But as for the Spirit, the soul, the essential, imperishable being, it does not exist, because there are not two kinds of souls.

Allan Kardec, RE, Jan/1866

It's worth repeating that science, in Kardec's time, defined such behaviors as anomalous. Kardec, using Spiritist theory, emphasizes that it is only an apparent anomaly, that is, it is not, in fact, an anomaly.

I dare go a little further than this explanation: what if the Spirit, having been female in several lives, deliberately chooses to incarnate as a man, maintaining her tendencies, in order to learn from them? What if she chooses this kind of test to help, setting an example? Furthermore, homosexuality can simply be an expression of the Spirit's nature, without necessarily requiring the "overcoming" of moral issues. Thus, orientation is not a test in itself, but a legitimate expression of the plurality of Spirits in their evolutionary journey.

The point is that we cannot judge an individual's past, much less see them as someone serving a punishment. Each Spirit is unique and expresses a plurality of equally valuable characteristics throughout their journey. Therefore, we must respect the choices of others, within the limits of ethics and charity, and always be ready to help and be helped, to teach and learn, to share and collaborate, without judging appearances.

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