Kardecism or Spiritism,
which one is correct?

Allan Kardec, the Spiritist Doctrine Encoder, said that there are major differences between Spiritism and other philosophical systems. Spiritism is the work of spirits, while the philosophical systems are the work of more or less enlightned men.

In with regards to the Spiritist Doctrine, the encoder himself admitted that he was not responsible for the invention of a single principle. So - he wrote - we can say: Plato's philosophy, the doctrine of Descartes, Leibnitz's philosophy, but you will never say: the doctrine of Allan Kardec, which makes the word Kardecism inappropriate as well as inadequate the expression Kardecist doctrine. (What is Spiritism, Chapter I, Second Dialogue, pp. 119 and 120.)

But it seems that this explanation was not provided to “IBGE” (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics), which is a governmental institute responsible for the censuses which are regularly carried out in Brazil. 

As many know, on the 02nd August it has began the Census 2010. It means that all brazilian households will be visited by an IBGE agent who will apply one of the following questionnaires:

Basic: a short and fast questionnaire.

Sample: A longer questionnaire, which will take approximately 50 minutes.

The latter contains a question whose answer is of fundamental importance for the followers of Spiritism: What is your religion?
 
Of course, many of us will respond: Spiritist. However, if we give this answer, we will be included in the item called: "Not defined."
 
Why? 

This is because the IBGE considers the term Spiritism as generic, meaning, it can refer to more than one religious denomination, sect or cult that involves mediumship, such as Umbanda and Candomble. As we know, many Umbanda groups consider themselves as Spiritists and place the word "Spiritist" in the title of their temples and backyard (Umbanda religious building).

We, Spiritists, have only one choice. We will have to answer: Kardecist, name defined by IBGE to  identify the followers of the Spiritist Doctrine codified by Allan Kardec.

Interestingly, the same will occur with Catholics and Evangelicals who simply respond Catholic or Evangelical.  IBGE also considers these as generic terms and therefore will include them in the item "Not defined." 

Thus, despite using a clearly improper word, we must take great care when answering the census. The agent will merely ask a question, and will not ask for further details on this topic. The question is straightforward and the answer must be right to the point. 

Read more about this topic in the article written by Jorge Hessen which is part of this edition.