Spiritualism is a belief that
spirits of the dead have both the ability and the inclination to communicate with the living. The
afterlife, or "
spirit world", is seen by spiritualists, not as a static place, but as one in which spirits continue to evolve. These two beliefs: that contact with spirits is possible, and that spirits are more advanced than humans, leads spiritualists to a third belief, that spirits are capable of providing useful knowledge about
moral and
ethical issues, as well as about the nature of
God. Some spiritualists will speak of a concept they refer to as a "
spirit guides"–specific spirits, often contacted, who are relied upon for spiritual guidance.
Spiritism, a branch of spiritualism developed by
Allan Kardec and today found mostly in Continental Europe and Latin America, especially Brazil, emphasizes
reincarnation.