Gnosticism is a philosophical and religious movement which started in pre-Christian times. The name is derived from the Greek word "gnosis" which literally means "knowledge." However, the English words "Insight" and "enlightenment" capture more of the meaning of "gnosis." It is pronounced with a silent "G" (NO-sis). Gnosticism is not factual, intellectual, rational knowledge, such as is involved in mathematics and physics; that would have been more accurately represented by the Greek world "episteme." Rather, Gnosticism involves the relational or experiential knowledge of God and of the divine or spiritual nature within us.
2007-03-08 10:21:49 · 25 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Gno. I'm gnot.
The one aspect of gnosticism that you didn't capture is the idea that the knowledge tends to be hidden knowledge that is only available to the faithful.
There were a number of different gnostic traditions in early christianity. One cannot truly say that "gnostics believed X" because different gnostics believed different things.
The most famous gnostic tradition is probably the Jewish Kaballah tradition. One could also argue that Scientology represents a modern gnostic tradition.
P.S. I just noticed a later post which claimed the founding fathers were gnostics. I think he is probably confusing gnostic with deist. Most founding fathers were deists (people who believed in a creator god who set his creation in motion but who does not intervene in the world and who does not require worship). It could be argued that those who were freemasons were gnostics since this is one of the labels that has been hung on freemasonry. Freemasons argue that theirs is not a religion and their hidden teachings do not constitute gnostic beliefs.
2007-03-08 10:26:32 · answer #1 · answered by Dave P 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I am not a Gnostic. On the surface, Gnosticism has much in common with many other mystical movements. Where I differ from it, however, is in its emphasis on the inherent evil of the physical universe, and the division between the physical and the spiritual. I tend to feel there is a basic underlying unity, in that the physical is an expression of Spirit.
2007-03-08 10:33:55 · answer #2 · answered by walkure 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, though I looked into it when I was interested in alchemy and found I was quite sympathetic to many Gnostic ideas.
I liked the idea that there are truths hidden throughout the universe and that, if one learns to see them, one can find the Truth.
Though now I rather feel I was looking too hard, if that makes sense.
And that while Gnosticism may be one Way, there are others.
.
2007-03-08 10:51:03 · answer #3 · answered by Nobody 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, but I have read some excellent texts on the subject. Elaine Pagels is an author you should definitely check out if Gnosticism interests you. She was one of the original translators of the Nag Hammadi codex.
2007-03-08 10:39:44 · answer #4 · answered by MishMash [I am not one of your fans] 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no but I've heard of it they found some scrolls which they named the gnostic bible it seams they were not what the early church wanted in the bible or anywhere else for that mater so they baned them all and burned most copy's its one of the earliest cases of the church trying to control what is written and to take away the freedom of speech
what pissed them of so bad was the fact that Gnostic's didn't need the church as well as to cover up the importance of women in religion it also contained the gospel of Judah they couldn't allow a gospel about Judah
2007-03-08 10:39:00 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, everything I have comes to me from our Father and that is only possible because of what Christ offers me. Gnosticism scares me in a really bad way. I'll stay away from it, unless I am directed by God to study it.
2007-03-08 11:02:45 · answer #6 · answered by rezany 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
While I'm not a gnostic, most of our founding fathers were (if not atheist), and it is the root religion of christianity, whether they know (or believe) it or not.
Many people today are gnostics, and they have a lovely belief system.
Thanks for sharing it with everyone :)
2007-03-08 10:27:00 · answer #7 · answered by Kallan 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No, I'm not a gnostic. Gnostics deny that Jesus came in the flesh and therefore to them He never really suffered or died on the cross. That nullifies Christianity and is a slap in the face to Christ.
2007-03-08 10:25:58 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
I would call myself a Cristian who has been loosely influenced by Gnosis without adapting a lot of it..
2007-03-08 10:25:40 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. I'm Agnostic. Gnosticism seems nice though.
2007-03-08 10:24:27 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋