Gnosticism/Gnostics?

[fangedeshana]

Okay... I wasn't sure whether to put this here, or in 'Paths'. I'll take my chances here, and sorry to any admin that has to move it. :floating:

Curious to know... is there anyone who considers themselves Gnostic here (or 'Neo-Gnostic')?

[Protagonist]

What do you mean by "gnostic?" The original, early Christian gnostic movement was largely ascetic and wouldn't appeal to most of us. However, in the modern era, many different groups take the name "gnostic." So, it really depends.

[fangedeshana]

What do you mean by "gnostic?" The original, early Christian gnostic movement was largely ascetic and wouldn't appeal to most of us. However, in the modern era, many different groups take the name "gnostic." So, it really depends.

Well, not really. My question was if anyone here considered themselves to be Gnostic. To doesnt depend on anything but if they do, or don't.

I don't think the original, early christian/jewish mystic could really be applied to modern day properly, which is where "neo-gnostic" comes into play.

If many diferent groups take the name Gnostic am I right in thinking perhaps Gnostic could be a type of umbrella term then?

[Agaliha]

Gnos·ti·cism ( P ) Pronunciation Key (nst-szm)
n.
The doctrines of certain pre-Christian pagan, Jewish, and early Christian sects that valued the revealed knowledge of God and of the origin and end of the human race as a means to attain redemption for the spiritual element in humans and that distinguished the Demiurge from the unknowable Divine Being.

n : a religious orientation advocating gnosis as the way to release a person's spiritual element; considered heresy by Christian churches [syn: Gnosticism]

dictionary.com


Just thought I'd post that for a defnintion.

***

I'm looking into the path of Gnosticism right now, funny how you brought this thread up.
I of couse have TONS to learn about Gnosticism, so I cannot say I am Gnostic or if I totally agree with it all yet. A lot of things appeal to me though-- the recognition of the Feminine Divine, the Goddess, Wife of God-- for example...

But, I am really interested in Sophia (She's Gnostic), She keeps calling to me (about a year ago and then again now) and I'm not going to ingnore Lady Wisdom's call.

I posted tons of links about Christian/Hebrew/Gnostic Goddesses in "Gods and Goddesses" too :)

[Protagonist]

Well, not really. My question was if anyone here considered themselves to be Gnostic. To doesnt depend on anything but if they do, or don't.
Well, yeah, but if you're seeking like-minded individuals, or heard someone talking about Gnosticism and wanted to learn more, knowing what kind of gnosticism you're talking about can be helpful, since the word is interpreted radically differently by different groups. A Christian ascetic might be a gnostic, but so would a follower of Ramtha (J.Z. Knight.)


I don't think the original, early christian/jewish mystic could really be applied to modern day properly, which is where "neo-gnostic" comes into play.
Yeah - it'd be like trying to be a Pythagorean today. It just can't be done. Society has changed too much. But, memes that fall short of the changing world can change with it, and I'm sure Christian gnosticism could, as well.


If many diferent groups take the name Gnostic am I right in thinking perhaps Gnostic could be a type of umbrella term then?
That's the impression I get, too. I've actually heard several different definitions for the term. I guess the term's age makes it diffficult to qualify.

Fun fact: Some radical Catholics believe transhumanism is the return of the so-called "Gnostic Heresy." I'm still trying to figure out how they cooked that one up.

[Agaliha]

Since it seemed like there is a confusion on what Gnosticism is or what is being refered to Here is a site that explains their beliefs in a nice summary:
Gnosticism: ancient and modern, beliefs and practices (http://www.religioustolerance.org/gnostic2.htm)

Might be helpful.

[Toby Stimpson]

This is soemwhat attached to this thread, although probably not connected to the author's main goal. I am studying the various pantheons in ym big 'Mythology Phase' lol...and I have somewhat a basic idea of the major Gnostic Christian Pantheon, including Sophia, and the Archons...and so forth...but I was wondering...what are the basic core idealogies of the Gnostic groups? I'd like to know just for knowing's sakes...and if I get more into the study of the Gnostics...perhaps I'd have a abck bone to work with :0. Namaste

Tobias

[Agaliha]

and I have somewhat a basic idea of the major Gnostic Christian Pantheon, including Sophia, and the Archons


I'm suprised I'm not on a Sophia overdrive after all the stuff I've been reading lately, lol. Archons? Do you mean Aeons?



what are the basic core idealogies of the Gnostic groups?

You mean beliefs? I posred this site: http://www.religioustolerance.org/gnostic2.htm (http://www.religioustolerance.org/gnostic2.htm) above. It talks about their views, beliefs and practices.
Or were you refering to something more detailed?
Because I have the link to their Catechism-- its WAY in depth for many topics.
Here's the link: The Gnostic Catechism (http://www.gnosis.org/ecclesia/catechism.htm)
That's the best place to really see where they are coming from and is from the actualy source, not some third part that has opinions.

[LordHelmet]

Fun fact: Some radical Catholics believe transhumanism is the return of the so-called "Gnostic Heresy." I'm still trying to figure out how they cooked that one up.

Here's the veiw point of radical Catholics. everyone needs to be saved. The way to God and salvation is through Jesus christ and the catholic church, anything which keeps you from salvation is of the devil, as he controls this world and is sneaky (so very sneaky) and decietful. Anything which helps the devil to pull a woll over someone or keeps someone from confession and the coffers is of the devil and is a practitionar of herasy. AKA Traitor!

So for the gnostic part, well they cooked up the first part in the bible (believe me it's there whether you interpret it that way or not) but I don't see the relationship between heretics who believe in science and humanity and philosophy and heretics who believe Jehovah was the bad egg. They did manage to cook up a devil that looked like a goatman though. Sin = bad, Goat = really bad :devil:

If your a catholic I'm sorry for making fun, I don't mean to be rude.


I have somewhat a basic idea of the major Gnostic Christian Pantheon, including Sophia, and the Archons...

I'm suprised I'm not on a Sophia overdrive after all the stuff I've been reading lately, lol. Archons? Do you mean Aeons?

Aeons are the beings Sophia created. They would be the angels I think, remember FFX? good guys right... ? Archons inhabit the other planets and there the nasty creatures you don't want to know. Archons are also units in starcraft, those evil nasty protoss, always killing my zerg.

[Agaliha]

First I never said that and never posted that, Protagonist did...So I'm not responding to your comment.


Fun fact: Some radical Catholics believe transhumanism is the return of the so-called "Gnostic Heresy." I'm still trying to figure out how they cooked that one up.




Aeons are the beings Sophia created. They would be the angels I think, remember FFX? good guys right... ? Archons inhabit the other planets and there the nasty creatures you don't want to know. Archons are also units in starcraft, those evil nasty protoss, always killing my zerg.


Sophia is an Aeon and so is Christ and a lot of others, so no they are not being created by Sophia...many were there WAY before. And they are not angels. And they are not necessary good...the Demiuge is an Aeon created accidently by Sophia and he is not good. Aeons are: In many Gnostic systems, the various emanations of the God, who is also known by such names as the One, the Monad, Aiwn teleos (The Perfect Æon), Bythos, Proarkh (Before the Beginning), H'Arkh (The Beginning), are called æons. This first being is also an æon and has an inner being within itself, known as Ennoea (Thought), Charis (Grace), or Sige (Silence). The split perfect being conceives the second æon, Nus (Mind), within itself. Along with the male Nus comes the female æon Veritas (Truth).The æons often came in male/female pairs called syzygies, and were frequently numerou(20-30). Two of the most commonly listed æons were Jesus and Sophia. The æons constitute the pleroma, the "region of light". The lowest regions of the pleroma are closest to the darkness; that is, the physical world.
When an æon named Sophia emanates without her partner æon, the result is the Demiurge (or Ialdaboth), a creature that should never have come into existence. This creature does not belong to the pleroma, and the One emanates two savior æons, Christ and the Holy Spirit to save man from the Demiurge. Christ then took the form of the man, Jesus, in order to be able to teach man how to achieve gnosis; that is, return to the pleroma.( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aeon#Gnostic_.C3.A6ons) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aeon#Gnostic_.C3.A6ons))

Achrons are: Gnosticism used the term Archon to refer to several servants of the Demiurge, the "creator god" that stood between the human race and a transcendent God that could only be reached through gnosis. In this context they have the role of the angels and demons of the Old Testament. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archon#Gnostic_Archons) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archon#Gnostic_Archons)) .

...if you read their Catechism I posted, all those things are explained...