1.0 What is Christian Rationalism ?
1.1 Christian Rationalism is a doctrine essentially
spiritualistic and spiritualising.
Its activities are
directed by the Superior Astral and as there
is an Astral President as the head of each
Christian
Rationalist Centre, it is obvious that Rationalist
Practises have nothing to do with black magic
labelled as spiritism which is based on the
invocation of spirits for a wide variety of
purposes.
1.2 Christian Rationalism is practised only
in Christian Rationalist Centres: in the Redemptor
Centre
whose headquarters is in the city of Rio de
Janeiro, Rua Jorge Rudge, 119 , (Chief House)
and its
affiliates and correspondents spreaded all
over Brazil and abroad.
1.3 Christian Rationalism fights for Truth
and wishes that everybody can be enlightened
on the
meaning of life and the right conduct on each
earthly existence, to avoid unnecessary suffering
and the
loss of incarnations.
1.4 Christian Rationalism is a Doctrine structured
in well defined Principles, codified in the
book
'Christian Rationalism', illustrated in the
work 'Incorporeal Life' and developed in several
other
publications edited by the Redemptor Centre.
It teaches how to find the Truth, explains
the realities of
life through concepts based on the lessons
left by Jesus on Earth, which successive distortions
have
made unrecognisable.
1.5 Christian Rationalism is a Spiritualist
Doctrine, whose principal aim is the enlightenment
of
humanity, without concern for religions, sects
or creeds.
It defends the Truth within the limits of
human knowledge so that all can perceive themselves
as particles of the Universal Intelligence
and
learn where did they come from, where do they
go to and what do they need to do, to succeed
in their
undertakings and missions on Earth.
1.6 Eternal condemnation is a lie.
Therefore everybody will have the opportunity
to reach to the Truth
explained by Christian Rationalism in the
course of days, months, years or if necessary,
centuries.
1.7 Christian Rationalism is destined to a
great and sublime Mission, yet difficult and
misunderstood
by many: to restore the Truth and re-implant
the magnificent teachings of Jesus on Earth.
1.8 Christian Rationalism was introduced on
Earth by the Superior Astral which is the
greatest pledge
of it’s perennial stability.
Those who like to live in the sea of illusions,
in the kingdom of fantasies or
in the country of dreams do not find a favourable
environment in Christian Rationalism, in which
people are taught that everyone must face
the hard reality of life with courage, self-denial
and
abnegation.
1.9 Christian Rationalism - having in mind
no other idea, intention, or interest but
to awaken humanity
to the reality of life - proposes to give
man the knowledge he needs to overcome spiritual
darkness
which is so damaging and harmful to his evolution.
1.10 Because Christian Rationalism is a school
of spiritualisation, not a religion, it has
neither gods
nor worshippers and therefore makes an effort
to offer all human beings a safe journey for
an healthy
and progressive life.
1.11 Those who study Christian Rationalism
have learned to trust themselves, their spiritual
power
and their will power to fight and win.
1.12 The ability of reasoning is a virtue
that everybody owns and can be used in life.
And every
single person as an integral part of the Universal
Intelligence, though in a latent state, holds
the same
virtues of that Intelligence.
Therefore each individual should strive to
develop and blossom them.
Among those qualities one can find the ability
of reasoning and the practise of Christian
Rationalism
leads the individual to that path.
1.13 Therefore, those who study Christian
Rationalism are not worshippers, beggars,
chronic
complainers or mentally subdued.
They all know that stumbling blocks appear
at every step of life's
way as well as that it is possible to overcome
them with the moral resources at their disposal.
1.14 This doctrine teaches that each spirit
is a minute fraction of Universal Intelligence
in the process
of evolution.
It also shows that the Universe is composed
of Force (Spirit) and Matter and that Force,
which drives and moves all bodies, fills Infinite
Space.
1.15 One of the main targets in the Redemptor
Centre is the expansion and dissemination
of the
Christian Rationalist Doctrine, though always
within cautious and rational criteria, to
avoid the
degeneration to sensationalism which is incompatible
with our Principles.
1.16 It is a mistake to think that all beings
are mature enough to receive the Christian
Rationalism
Doctrine.
The majority need primarily rid of the enormous
amount of habits, beliefs, limita-tions and
fears that correspond to the chronic state
of errone-ous thoughts causing them, however,
to undertake a
new path diverse of that which they have been
treading for centuries or thousands of years.
1.17 Therefore, one must not argue about beliefs.
To put forth is always from the inside out,
depending on the inner state of the individual
and his or her capacity to learn spiritual
concepts.
1.18 It is said that Jesus advised that no
one should sow among the thorns.
The similarity is obvious.
We must have ample per-ception in order to
avoid the propagation of the Doctrine in hos-tile
surroundings.
1.19 The occasions to explain what Christian
Rationalism is all about arise naturally,
and the
opportunity surfaces without provocation.
The right re-sponse is to indicate the Redemptor
Centre in
the cases of awakened interest, thus, avoiding
the need to extend into explanations.
The exposition of
the Doctrine must always be performed under
the action of the Superior Astral, which is
given within
the animistic currents formed in the Christian
Rational-ism Centres.
1.20 Therefore once the teachings of Christian
Rationalism are assimilated there is no need
to make
comments about its contents with people unacquainted
with the Doctrine to avoid arguments and
clashes between different viewpoints.
1.21 Explanations about the doctrine are exclusively
given in Christian Rationalist Houses.
Those
interested in the teachings disseminated by
the doctrin
Doctrine as its doors are open and post offices
serve the community.
1.22 In Christian Rationalism there is not,
there never was and there will never be any
attempts to
entice and conquer adherents to the Doctrine.
What there is instead is the satisfaction
of welcoming in
our midst all sincere investigators with the
intent of preparing themselves for life and
freeing
themselves from the fanatical domination of
dogmas, rituals and enslaving myths, so they
can offer
their contribution for the evolution of the
Planet.
1.23 However, the theory that we should wait
for humanity to come to us instead of bringing
the
doctrine to them which was formerly acceptable,
is inappropriate now, given the current development
of society.
To watch humanity mired in such a disturbing
and degrading mud and keep on a passive
posture without pointing out to people, with
proper disclosure, the benefits that our spiritualist
philosophy can offer, would be like committing
a regrettable crime by omission.
1.24 If Christian Rationalist Practises cannot
transform for the better, at a desirable pace,
the spiritual
conditions on Earth in this current life journey,
then those transformations will inevitably
happen in
future reincarnations.
There is no reason to give up hope, given
that the period of a single incarnation
is like a drop of water in the ocean in comparison
with the eternal life that we are all subject
to.
1.25 There is a Philosophical School called
"Rationalism" that should not be confused
with Christian
Rationalism.
The former is of materialistic nature while
the latter is eminently spiritualistic.
Therefore they are diametrically opposed.
For that reason every time we refer to the
Christian
Rationalist Doctrine we say Christian Rationalism
and not just "Rationalism".
1.26 Christian Rationalism is not associated
with and is not similar to any other religion
or doctrine
on Earth.
It is unique and consists of only one code
and only one discipline.
Practices and routines in
Christian Rationalist Centres world-wide are
identical and in all the same unchangeable
Principles
prevail.
This unity is kept with great discipline and
rigorous respect for the institutions and
the
direction of the Superior Astral.
Any physical President of a Christian Rationalist
Centre can preside
in another affiliate and no one will notice
any discrepancies in methods and discipline
adopted.
1.27 Christian Rationalism with its theoretical
and practical teachings offers humanity the
best
opportunity to live in a conscious and rational
manner so human beings can put into practice
a secure
and efficient working program with no wastefulness,
no mistakes and within the principles of
solidarity and confraternisation.
It is an enlightening, constructive, moralist
and purifying Doctrine,
engaged in restoring the Truth about life
spiritual concepts.
1.28 Listening to the lessons given by Christian
Rationalism and not practising them is to
neglect a
responsibility of the highest significance.
Those who in this current existence do not
have the rare
fortune of becoming acquainted with the Doctrine,
may have an excuse for not behaving in the
manner
recommended by Christian Rationalism.
However those who have found it and in their
indolence
persist in making mistakes are running into
errors of painful consequences.
1.29 Christian Rationalism is a Spiritualist
Doctrine and explains in a simple and rational
manner,
who are we, where did we come from and where
are we going to.
1.30 Christian Rationalism was codified by
Luiz de Mattos in 1912 with the launching
of the basic
work 'Christian Rationalism' in 1914.
However its principles are as old as the world
itself.
These
principles were taught by Jesus Christ before
the Gospels.
Among those Principles stands out the
following:
· The law of spiritual evolution through
reincarnations.
· The law of cause and effect: "You will
pay for the bad actions practised against
others"
· The importance of Thought, Reasoning, Will
and Self-denial in the life of all human beings
· The value of Discipline, Work, Morals,
Free-will and Family.
· Discarding from the spirit, concepts of
Faith, Praying, Creeds, Begging, Worshipping,
as well as:
Clemency, Miracles, Grace of the Biblical
Gospels and Salvation.
· Be confident that the denomination of Superior
Astral, imply all the spirits of Superior
Planes, who
conduct the evolution of this World in common
agreement with Jesus Christ.
Spirits of the Superior
Astral provide the conditions for Psychic
Cleansing.
1.31 Christian Rationalism is a spiritualistic
philosophy, free from mysticism or religiosity,
and
therefore does not acknowledge the supernatural,
mysteries and dogmas.
Everything in the Universe
and in Life holds a rational explanation,
within the common, natural and unchangeable
laws that rule
all things.
1.32 The Christian Rationalist Doctrine began
with the designation of "Christian Rational
and
Scientific Spiritism", using the mediumnity
of people of good will and the elementary
practice of
spiritism, to be able to establish its foundations.
As it progressed scientifically and spiritually,
this
doctrine transcended the concept of Spiritist
to Rational, thus taking the proper designation
of
Christian Rationalism, which cares exclusively
for the enlightenment of humanity and its
evolution.
This way Christian Rationalism engages in
spiritualisation, education, instruction,
the awakening of
depressed souls, the fortification of weakened
bodies, fighting vices and in the teaching
of fairness,
courage, honesty, modesty and truthfulness.
1.33 The Redemptor Centre is the House of
Christian Rationalism.
As in a human being the spirit
occupies a physical body in the same way this
Doctrine holds its own physical body, its
material
headquarters, that is the Redemptor Centre,
a house suitable for the dissemination of
its teachings.
The word "Redemptor" gives meaning to freedom
as in reality it is the Truth that makes humans
spiritually free and in Christian Rationalist
Houses the Truth is disclosed.
The fact that it is known as
'Centre' should not be confused with "spiritist
centre", which is a different thing.
It is called Centre
because it centralises and because it is a
place that brings specific activities together
at one point to
promote a spiritual culture in the same way
Cultural Centres promote other cultural activities.
Those
who arrive at them find a friendly, peaceful
and tranquil environment.
During Sessions the Spirits in
charge of Christian Rationalism work in favour
of the evolution of the World.
Therefore they work for
the psychic normalisation of distressed souls,
tortured by the suffering of life and work
for the
cleansing of the earth environment, swarming
with millions of disturbed spirits.
1.34 The basic work of Christian Rationalism,
in its natural simplicity is profound and
must be seen
as the primary foundation of knowledge whose
framework must be built by the efforts of
each one of
us.
Its fundamental principles encompass a new
concept of the Universe and life as well as
a sound
pattern of behaviour for those who wish to
follow it.
This behaviour, thanks to the knowledge it
provides, leads humanity to the knowledge
of himself as Force and Matter.
It shows that in every
manifestation of life there is a flicker of
Intelligence that, like in ourselves, is part
of Total Life.
Thus we learn that we are but small torches
of life, still very blunt, part of an immense
flash of
lightning driving forward the Cosmos - which
is Universal Intelligent Life.
Force and Matter are, in a doctrinal sense,
a synthesis of the Universe !
Force is Life, Intelligence, the principle
that creates and activates everything.
Only by knowing
ourselves, and therefore by perceiving ourselves
as Intelligence, will we be able to understand
Life
in it's Universal, elaborate, deep content.
And only by penetrating, with the help of
physics, the
microscopic planetary system named atom, will
we be able to understand what we are as Matter.
With their modern studies, by breaking down
the atom into electrons, scientists have shown
that
matter, previously thought of as being inert,
is in reality a large reservoir of energy
that will change
the face of Earth the day it can be put to
use.
These are the findings of patient researchers
that enable us to assert that, "from the most
distant star to
the clay under our feet we are all made of
the same matter".
Those two words - Force and Matter, which
synthesise human being and the Universe - represent,
for
future generations, a plan of studies and
accomplishments that will continue forever.
1.35 Christian Rationalism makes an eloquent
and constant plea for study and reasoning
so that every
person will realise the need for a diligent
effort towards self-improvement.
Knowledge about real
life, which is a continuous process of study,
will never be understood by those who, without
reasoning, limit themselves to repeating obsolescent
concepts linked to religious dogmas.
Therefore, divulging Christian Rationalist
principles is nowadays an imperative, long-reaching
measure.
Luiz de Mattos, introduced Christian Rationalism
after sensing the deplorable condition of
man's
character.
He did it without sparing any efforts, with
the conviction that he could provide the world
with the one and only means of correcting
the serious moral evils that were, and still
are, afflicting
humanity.
His life - that of an honourable, dignified,
enterprising, preserving, undaunted man - was
a
model of invigorating action that will last
as a striking example in the memories of present
and future
generations.
He did not attempt to impose on others a discipline
which he himself could not follow.
He did not
consolidate a pattern of behaviour diverse
from his own.
Hence the unusual moral authority that
characterised his statements.
This is an example of the strong beliefs of
those who know that they can
serve as models of behaviour.
Luiz de Mattos was careful enough to present
Christian Rationalist principles in a simple,
practical
manner, within the reach of every mentality.
As a result, his principles are understood
and respected
by all social strata.
These principles are so simple indeed that
they can be summarised in one word: CONDUCT.
In
reality, their aim is to show humanity a pattern
of behaviour.
By pattern of behaviour, we mean an
individual's norms of conduct in his community
in accordance with the Christian philosophy.
This is
why Rationalism is also said to be Christian.
The undeniable fact is that with his code
of Christian discipline, Luiz de Mattos developed
a new
mentality.
This new mentality expands day by day as this
code becomes known to those who, in their
present incarnation, have already broken the
shackles of absurd beliefs and mystical concepts.
Therefore, it is in the struggles of everyday
life that Christian Rationalists will make
themselves
worthy of consideration and respect by following
a well-defined exemplary pattern of conduct.
The
value of the principles adopted by an individual
is measured not in terms of his words, but
of his
actions and attitudes.
Each person's way of life is a reflection
of his spiritual feelings.
There is no easier way to bring
human behaviour closer to the Christian doctrine
codified by Luiz de Mattos, than by following
the
living norms modelled after Christian Rationalist
principles.
