Mavrikmind
Active Member
Halcyon said:A Gnostic is someone who seeks or believes they have found gnosis (translates knowledge, but is closer to enlightenment or awakening in meaning) of God.
The golden age of Gnosticism was in the first few centuries after Christ, most Gnostics are and were Christian based, a second large wave of Gnostic thought appeared in medieval times, but was wiped out by the Inquisition (Vatican, not Spanish).
That's not to say all Gnostics were/are Christian, there were Jewish, Islamic and pagan Gnostics. Gnostic thought also found its way into religions such Manichaenism and Mandaism.
To sum up Gnostic belief very briefly, it is that humanity has been separated from God (there are various myths to explain how) and that those who seek and find Gnosis will reunite their souls with God, usually after death.
Thanks Halcyon, that cleared it up for me