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Vague

Z

zombieharlot

Some Kind of Strange
I find the overview of Gnosticism to be quite vague. Would you all mind laying down the most important basics for me on this one, so I have a better idea of what it is? Thanks!:D
 
Buttons*

Buttons*

Glass half Panda'd
Paulus should do this one :)

There is, as with MANY religons, a basic mythology... which Paul should explain...

Then, there's the "feeling" side of it. One of the reasons its SO vague is because it's "inner knowing" ... but not anything that can be put into words.... :)
 
Halcyon

Halcyon

Lord of the Badgers
zombieharlot said:
I find the overview of Gnosticism to be quite vague. Would you all mind laying down the most important basics for me on this one, so I have a better idea of what it is? Thanks!:D
Click to expand...
Gnostics believe in a God so great that It is being our comprehension. We call it The One. It is far greater than the petty God of the old testament for example, it has more in common with the Tao, with the Hindu Brahman and the Wiccan Source. Although, i personally would say it is even greater than these concepts.

Christian Gnostics believe that it was Christs life that was important, his teachings, not his death on the cross. Although there is not concensus on his being (ie. whether he was divine, a man or something in between) we believe that he was one with God, which anyone can be once they gain Gnosis.

Gnosis although it translates as knowledge, is actually more akin to enlightenment or realisation. Gaining Gnosis is the ultimate goal of Gnosticism.

The world in Gnostic thought is seen in a bad light, or should i say our perception of the world. This is embodied in the Demiurge, the God who blinds. To gain Gnosis we must overcome the Demiurge, the false concepts of separation from the One and the blinding teachings of the followers of the Demiurge.

We look to many sources for knowledge that might aid us in gaining Gnosis, although we usually interpret those sources eg. the bible, the tao te ching etc in a different way to the orthodox.

I think those are the basics, anything i've missed Ash?
 
Z

zombieharlot

Some Kind of Strange
I would say that that covers it pretty well. But I have to ask because I'm not exactly clear on it; is The One an actual entity or being? Or is that belief different from person to person?
 
Buttons*

Buttons*

Glass half Panda'd
zombieharlot said:
I would say that that covers it pretty well. But I have to ask because I'm not exactly clear on it; is The One an actual entity or being? Or is that belief different from person to person?
Click to expand...
The One is formless, therefore encompassing all form ;)
 
Halcyon

Halcyon

Lord of the Badgers
zombieharlot said:
I would say that that covers it pretty well. But I have to ask because I'm not exactly clear on it; is The One an actual entity or being? Or is that belief different from person to person?
Click to expand...
The One is beyond concepts of entity or individuality, such ideas originate from it though.

The One is everything, it is you and I, but it is also far greater. It is far greater than can ever be expressed in words.
For example, I could say that it is not divine, but far greater. But that would still not do it justice, because even calling it infinitely greater than divine is an understatement.
 
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