20 world religions and faith practices 205

Robyn Lebron In many of these countries, there are multiple Spiritist Centres “In addition to the centers themselves, there are also several Spiritistrun humanitarian projects and organizations that bring material and spiritual support to the poor, the sick, and others in need of social assistance In addition, there are Spiritist associations of professionals, such as doctors, lawyers, etc.”15 It is estimated that there are approximately 40 million people in razil alone who believe and/or practice some form of Spiritism although another website touted total believers at 70 million God or Gods “God is the supreme intelligence and primary cause of all things God is eternal, immutable, unique, omnipotent, supremely just and good.”16 The universe is a creation of God It encompasses all things All the laws of nature are divine laws because God is their author They cover both the physics and moral laws Beyond the physical world, which is the habitation of incarnate spirits (mankind), there exists the spiritual world, which is the habitation of discarnate spirits God created matter, which constitutes the worlds He also created intelligent beings called spirits, which are in charge of these worlds By improving themselves, the spirits approach the likeness of God.17 As a good father, God does not leave people to themselves during their earth atonements but offers them guides These are firstly the protecting spirits or guardian angels, who watch over people and try to make them follow the good way Secondly, there are the great incarnated spirits which, sometimes appear on earth in order to illuminate human paths and make mankind walk forward ~ 204 ~