Gnosticism?

[PBL]

Are there any Gnostics out there? I have recently become fascinated by a lot of the ideas of Gnosticism and was wondering if someone could point me in the right direction for more information. Either that or discuss the flaws of Gnosticism if you are opposed to it. Either way, hopefully it will be an interesting conversation.

[qjakal]

I seem to recall this from my college years. A flawed universe/creation and an indifferent godhead, I believe were a few of the major precepts?

Q

[venray]

Gnosticism is a philosophical and religious movement which started in pre-Christian times. The term is derived from the Greek word gnosis which means "knowledge". It is pronounced with a silent "G" (NO-sis). Gnostics claimed to have secret knowledge about God, humanity and the rest of the universe of which the general population was unaware. It became one of the three main belief systems within 1st century Christianity, and was noted for three factors which differed from the two other branches of Christianity: Novel beliefs about Gods, the Bible and the world which differed from those of other Christian groups.
Tolerance of different religious beliefs within and outside of Gnosticism.
Lack of discrimination against women.
A belief that salvation is achieved through knowledge. In the words of The Gnostic Apostolic Church humanity needs to be awakened and brought "to a realisation of his true nature. Mankind is moving towards the Omega Point, the Great day when all must graduate or fall. This day is also the Day of Judgement in that only those who have entered the Path of Transfiguration and are being reborn can return to the Treasury of Light." 1


The movement and its literature were essentially wiped out by the end of the 5th century CE by heresy hunters from mainline Christianity. Its beliefs are currently experiencing a rebirth throughout the world.

[ticklebutton]

Originally posted by venray1
A belief that salvation is achieved through knowledge.
And that knowledge is acquired by "listening to" & trusting your spiritual self; as opposed to the mundane belief that humans are lumps of clay that require outside forces to teach & shape them and impose laws upon them which should be blindly obeyed.

My favorite thing about Gnosticism is that it assumes that every higher individual possesses a native intuition, wisdom and the ability to learn & grow from the lessons of life, or human mythology.
Note: The word "mythology" used here is defined as an allegory that possesses psychological relevance with which all higher beings can identify & resonate.

Carl Jung wrote about this spiritual psychology. All higher beings are a part of a collective consciousness; possessing in common an innate understanding which recognizes & informs all our experiences, and realizes a universal connection.

Gnostics believe that within each higher being is a divine spark that has come from the godhead, that we are all in fact part of a sentient living universe.

Does this gel with your understanding of it, PBL?

Button :bubble:

[PBL]

ticklebutton > Yeah, thats basically what I understand of it.
--
One of the things I found most interesting is the emphasis on knowledge as opposed to faith. Its almost an anti-religion. A Gnostic doesn't say believe in God because you have faith. He says go experience God first hand. I just find it really fascinating

[ticklebutton]

I like that too - trusting in one's own spiritual whisperings rather than trying to believe something that doesn't feel quite right.

I think this might be closest to what someone means when he/she says "I'm not religious, but I'm very spiritual".

I really like Jung's take on it (and on everything, come to think of it :) ). Also, Joseph Campbell is very knowledgeable about all kinds of esoteric subjects, and a really good teacher and writer. Have you explored any of their writing, or Campbell's lectures?

Even in fiction you'll stumble across it; that's where I first encountered it. Robertson Davies' "World of Wonders", "The Manticore", and "What's Bred In The Bone" include references to it; lots of Jungian stuff too - I loved them!

In Umberto Ecco's "The Name of the Rose" and "Foucault's Pendulum" you'll see it pop up frequently, too.

Button :bubble:

[the_Baron]

a lot about gnosticism is represented in some of the jewish mystical teachings a/k/a Kaballah.

historical gnosticism differed of course, in that it also revolved around Christ and salvation. to this end, the noncanonical Gospel of Thomas may be of interest to you.

[kurchatovium]

The religion took off I believe when scrolls in Hag Dammadi, Egypt(spelling?) were found in 1945. These scrolls contained many texts including the Gospel Of St. Thomas which was popularized in the movie Stigmata. There were many texts in these scrolls some which had a weird mixture of reincarnation along wiht standard christian views. The Catholic Church stated that all these texts were blasephemous (as some did have some odd stuff in them) and that was that for mainstream christianity. These texts though form the basis for most of Gnosticism beliefs though I think.