Allan Kardec-THE Spirit's Book_ The Principles of Spiritist Doctrine (1989)

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ALLAN KARDEC
"Ask yourselves to whom such a life is useful, and you will have the reply to your question. If
such a life is only for him who leads it, and if it prevents him from doing good to others, it is
only a form of selfishness, whatever the pretext with which it is coloured. True mortification,
according to the dictates of Christian charity, is to impose privation and labour upon yourselves
for the good of others."
722. Is there any foundation in reason for the abstinence from certain aliments practised
among various peoples?
"Whatever man can eat without injury to his health is permitted to him. Legislators may have
prohibited certain aliments for some useful end, and, in order to give greater weight to their
prohibitions, have represented them as emanating from God."
723. Is the use of animal food by man contrary to the law of nature?
"With your physical constitution, flesh is useful for nourishing flesh; without this kind of
sustenance man's strength declines. The law of preservation makes it a duty for man to keep
up his health and strength, that he may fulfil the law of labour. He should therefore feed
himself according to the requirements of his organisation."
724. Is there any merit in abstinence from any particular kind of food, animal or other, when
undergone as an expiation?
"Yes, if undergone for the sake of others; but God cannot regard as meritorious any
abstinence that does not impose a real privation, and that has not a serious and useful aim.
This is why we say that those whose fasting is only apparent are hypocrites." (720.)
725. What is to be thought of the mutilation of the bodies of men or of animals?
"What is the use of asking such a question ? Ask yourselves, once for all, whether a thing is
or is not useful. What is useless cannot be pleasing to God, and what is hurtful is always
displeasing to Him. Be very sure that God is only pleased with the sentiments that raise the
soul towards Him. It is by practising His law, and not by violating it, that you can shake off
your terrestrial matter."
726. If the sufferings of this world elevate us through the manner in which we bear them, are
we elevated by those which we voluntarily create for ourselves?