Responsibility for what we speak and do is a direct consequence of free will, that God-given freedom of choice that expands as we evolve. Given that, irresponsibility could not be propagated in our midst. Journalists, editors, mediums - more than anyone else - should always bear that fact in mind, based on the impact their work can have on society.

“Vivimos momentos difíciles en la actualidad del movimiento espírita, pero los culpables de eso somos nosotros mismos.»

We have confused the meaning of the word tolerance. Tolerance, there is no doubt, is our duty towards all people, but never towards the mistakes they make. Pointing out the deception, the mistake, the misunderstanding is a good thing we do to the person who makes a mistake, because, having been warned of his mistakes, he will be able to rise to a new state of understanding. Obviously, in doing so, we should not expose anyone to ridicule or mockery, because that would harm the principle of charity, which is a precious good that we spiritists cannot ignore.

Our second mistake is the irresponsibility that has led many people, not only mediums, to disregard the fundamental bases on which the Spiritist Doctrine was codified. It even seems that we forget the lesson that Emmanuel gave to Chico Xavier at the beginning of his work, so admired by the spiritists of Brazil. It was necessary, he told his dear mentor, to compare the mediumistic writings with the work of Kardec and the teachings of Jesus. In case of disagreement, the fate of the writings would be the dustbin, even if the author of the communication was himself.

In the main work addressed to mediums and spiritist leaders, Kardec inserted two essential lessons, one signed by Erastus, the other by St. Louis, which are still up to date. The first one makes up item 230 of The Mediums’ Book:

In doubt, abstain, says one of your old proverbs. Admit, therefore, only what is, in your eyes, manifestly evident. As soon as a new opinion is brought forward, however doubtful it may seem to you, put it through the crucible of reason and logic, and fearlessly reject what reason and good sense reject. It is better to repel ten truths than to admit a single falsehood, a single erroneous theory. Indeed, upon such a theory you could build a whole system, which would crumble at the first breath of truth, like a monument built on shifting sands, whereas, if you reject some truths today because they are not clearly and logically demonstrated to you, later on a brutal fact, or an irrefutable demonstration, will affirm their authenticity to you.

Remember, however, O spiritists, that, for God and for good spirits, there is only one impossible thing: injustice and iniquity. Spiritism is already sufficiently widespread among men, and has already sufficiently moralised the sincere adepts of its holy doctrine, so that spirits are no longer obliged to use bad instruments, or imperfect mediums. If, therefore, a medium, whoever he may be, now becomes the object of legitimate suspicion, because of his conduct, his habits, his pride, his lack of love and charity, repel, repel his communications, for there will be a serpent hidden among the grass.

The second lesson can be seen in section 266 of the above-mentioned work:

By submitting all communications to a scrupulous examination, and by scrutinising and analysing the thought and expressions, as is customary in judging a literary work, and by rejecting, without hesitation, all that is contrary to logic and good sense, and all that belies the character of the spirit who is supposed to be the one who is manifesting himself, we discourage the lying spirits, who will eventually withdraw, once they are well convinced that they will not succeed in deceiving. We repeat: this means is unique, but it is infallible, for no evil communication can withstand rigorous criticism. The good spirits are never offended by it, because they themselves advise it, and because they have nothing to fear from examination. Only the bad ones formalise and seek to avoid it, because they all have to lose. Only in this way do they prove what they are. This is the advice that St. Louis gave us in this respect: 

Whatever may be the legitimate confidence inspired by the spirits who preside over your work, there is one recommendation which can never be too often repeated, and which you should always bear in mind when you are engaged in your studies: it is that of weighing and meditating; it is that of submitting all communications you receive to the sieve of the severest reason; it is that of never failing to ask for the explanations necessary to form a sure opinion, whenever a point appears to you to be suspicious, doubtful, or obscure.

Herculano Pires, who, according to Emmanuel and Chico Xavier, was the one who most understood Kardec's work, never failed to point out the errors, whoever they were, because above all we must preserve the Doctrine and not allow ourselves to be used to denigrate it.