Gnostic?
I guess politically I am probably a liberal secular humanist.
Religiously I guess I am a Christian existentialist, if you must categorize me.
I know that the new Christian Right boogey man is Gnostics. It's their favorite theme of attacking their enemies who want to expose them for the frauds they truly are. There are so many kinds of gnostics. One form of gnosticism is Christian gnosticism. Any mystical religion is a form of gnosticism. I'm sure many believe that Christianity is a mystical religion - one that can't fully be explained or understood by mere man's mind. The alternative is pure scientific knowledge. That type of person or religion is one that only believes what is observable and understandable through observations.
The esoteric nature of gnostic teaching is obvious. There are many different ones such as Platonist, named after Plato, Ophites, Cainites, Stoicism, Carpocrations, Borborites, Bogomils, Cathars and even our present day MASONS are a form of gnostic beginnings. It can be any mystical religion.
Tertullian, Hippolytis were some of the gnostics that orthodox Christians were hostile to.
I do use critical thinking and the scientific method rather than dogmatism, creedalism or indoctrination form fundamentalist theologians.
Some shows which have gnostic themes are Pleasantville, the Truman Show, 12 Monkeys, Toy Story, Groundhog day, Vanilla Sky and many others. There are more gnostic writings than Judeo-Christian writings and orthodox religions have demonized gnostics since the beginning of their history.
The basic idea behind gnosticism is that reality comes from self- knowledge and enlightenment, the very things this countries founders believed were our founding principles. The Enlightenment period started in the 17th & 18th Century and their rejection of the Catholic Churchs' dogmatism was its foundation. They believed in free-will and freedom of counscience in all areas such as politics and religion. Gnostics started the concept of a democratic society and equal rights for all citizens. This was a rejection of historical fuedalism and kingdoms. A mortal sin to some Orthodox Christians who weren't encouraged to think for themselves or reason. They were to just accept what they were told and don't question it. Many present day fundamentalists believe exactly that. Many present day fundamentalist seminaries are not education centers; they are endoctrination centers. Gnosticism encourages questioning our surroundings, teachings and history. They believe in freedom of thought and conscience.
What are you?
Religiously I guess I am a Christian existentialist, if you must categorize me.
I know that the new Christian Right boogey man is Gnostics. It's their favorite theme of attacking their enemies who want to expose them for the frauds they truly are. There are so many kinds of gnostics. One form of gnosticism is Christian gnosticism. Any mystical religion is a form of gnosticism. I'm sure many believe that Christianity is a mystical religion - one that can't fully be explained or understood by mere man's mind. The alternative is pure scientific knowledge. That type of person or religion is one that only believes what is observable and understandable through observations.
The esoteric nature of gnostic teaching is obvious. There are many different ones such as Platonist, named after Plato, Ophites, Cainites, Stoicism, Carpocrations, Borborites, Bogomils, Cathars and even our present day MASONS are a form of gnostic beginnings. It can be any mystical religion.
Tertullian, Hippolytis were some of the gnostics that orthodox Christians were hostile to.
I do use critical thinking and the scientific method rather than dogmatism, creedalism or indoctrination form fundamentalist theologians.
Some shows which have gnostic themes are Pleasantville, the Truman Show, 12 Monkeys, Toy Story, Groundhog day, Vanilla Sky and many others. There are more gnostic writings than Judeo-Christian writings and orthodox religions have demonized gnostics since the beginning of their history.
The basic idea behind gnosticism is that reality comes from self- knowledge and enlightenment, the very things this countries founders believed were our founding principles. The Enlightenment period started in the 17th & 18th Century and their rejection of the Catholic Churchs' dogmatism was its foundation. They believed in free-will and freedom of counscience in all areas such as politics and religion. Gnostics started the concept of a democratic society and equal rights for all citizens. This was a rejection of historical fuedalism and kingdoms. A mortal sin to some Orthodox Christians who weren't encouraged to think for themselves or reason. They were to just accept what they were told and don't question it. Many present day fundamentalists believe exactly that. Many present day fundamentalist seminaries are not education centers; they are endoctrination centers. Gnosticism encourages questioning our surroundings, teachings and history. They believe in freedom of thought and conscience.
What are you?
posted by T. Glenn Hall at 2:35 PM
1 Comments:
Hello Glenn,
I thought Gnostics were a religious sect who believed in direct spiritual contact with God rather than through priests and church. I'm not as well read as you. I am an agnostic. I hope that is the correct word. That is I totally reject the notion of the existence of God.
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