Many Puerto Ricans consider Espiritismo a religion along with Catholic teachings of Christ. They use the Bible, the New Testament, as interpreted and instructed by Alan Kardec. They also made use of other religious outstanding teachers of Europe and the Americas to expand and compliment Espiritismo practice. It helped them overcome a myriad of problems they were facing in NYC during the 1950's and the following 2 decades. Most of the Espiritismo seances were held at home behind doors as this religious practice was frowned upon by the traditional Catholic and Protestant Churches.