Espiritismo: Puerto Rican Mediumship & Magic

Chapter 3
THE WAR AGAINST
MESA BLANCA
To differentiate his form of Spiritism from more traditional forms, Allen
Kardec characterized it as Scientific Spiritism. Kardecists focused on
philosophy and considered Spiritism to be a type of science rather than a
religion. Their intention was to bring about social change and encourage
enlightenment, understanding, purpose, and progressive consciousness.
They rejected many of the practices of traditional espiritistas, including the
use of altars and working with the spirits for change, healing, and
divination. They were adamantly against all things that they considered
“superstitions” and the teachings of “less-evolved people.”
So it is not surprising that the Kardecists very quickly started a
campaign against Mesa Blanca Espiritismo. They wanted to differentiate
themselves from espiritistas whose practices they considered backward,
barbaric, and unevolved. They wrote and published articles against Mesa
Blanca, claiming that Mesa Blanca espiritistas were charlatans. They even
coined a new and derogatory name for them, referring to them as
espiriteros, which was clearly intended as a slur. They also mocked and
ridiculed those who practiced or believed in Mesa Blanca, making fun of
them for referring to practitioners as medicos (doctors), even though it was
the espiritistas who provided most of the healing needed by most of the
population.
The introduction of the American influence on the island helped the
growth of Scientific Spiritism, but it also encouraged efforts—although at