Voting Station

Gnosticism

Please vote to return to collections.

Religion

The Resume

    (circa 200 BC-circa 500)
    Ancient mystery religion
    Origins shrouded in uncertainty but believed to have arisen as early as the second century BC
    Considers the material world evil and man a fallen creature trapped here
    Holds that man can arise from this present world through the use of secret knowledge available to their initiates
    Some of the tenets include; to get to heaven you have to know the names of the demons that will be blocking the way and therefore be able to control them, seven spirits created the world, and God is a woman/mother earth
    Leaders include Marcion and Valentinus
    Disappeared with the preeminence of Christianity in the Roman Empire and if not, was certainly finished off by the rise of Islam

Why they might be annoying:

    There are so many strands in it that it is hard to consider it one religion.
    Its believers have clearly stolen ideas from many sources including Judaism, Christianity, Manichaeism, and other mystery religions.
    If this knowledge helps you get to heaven (or wherever they say you go when you die) wouldn't the right thing be to let everybody know the secrets?
    Very few of their writings survive and much of what we know about them and their beliefs come from early Christian writers opposing them.
    By definition it can't have wide appeal or a large following.
    All their knowledge comes through revelations and not genuine study.
    Against all historical record, some New Age types claim to be members of the same cults that existed in Roman times.

Why they might not be annoying:

    Although some sects within it are libertine in outlook, most of their teachings emphasize common morality and reject materialism.
    Yes, they stole ideas from others but the modern New Agers stole ideas from them also.
    They're harmless, nobody ever started a war over Gnosticism.
    Many of their leaders, particularly Marcion, were very bright and well meaning.
    Opposition to them helped to solidify early Christianity.
    They were supposed to have had some really cool rituals and ceremonies.

Credit: tom_jeffords


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 20 Votes: 55.00% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 7 Votes: 85.71% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 24 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 14 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 18 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 11 Votes: 45.45% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 12 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 30 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 24 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 15 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 21 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 46 Votes: 71.74% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 125 Votes: 44.00% Annoying