Gnostic Christians

[Rizzo in a box]

I did a search in this forum, but I didn't see any threads about Gnosticism. I don't really have a specific topic to discuss, but I was wondering if there are any Gnostics on &Totse besides myself. I know Meta is interested in the subject, but I don't think he posts in this forum.

Anyone?

I'm not a Gnostic but I recollect doing some reading on it long ago, when I first discovered Philip K. Dick, to get a better understanding of his mind set and the imagery in his novels.

[Rizzo in a box]

quote:Originally posted by Raw_Power:

I'm not a Gnostic but I recollect doing some reading on it long ago, when I first discovered Philip K. Dick, to get a better understanding of his mind set and the imagery in his novels.

What's your feelings on it?

Here's a link, if you want to do some more reading (or if other people would):

http:../../www.gnosis.org/naghamm/nhlintro.html

[ArmsMerchant]

There were so many different Gnostic sects around during the first few centuries AD, at least one scholar has seriously proposed that the term no longer be used.For instance, some were monotheistic, some polytheistic, some were celibate, some not.

Moi, I am only gnostic in the sense that I commune directly with the Great Spirit, without the need of any priest or so-called holy book or ritual.

[This message has been edited by ArmsMerchant (edited 11-30-2006).]

[Rizzo in a box]

quote:Originally posted by ArmsMerchant:

There were so many different Gnostic sects around during the first few centuries AD, at least one scholar has seriously proposed that the term no longer be used.or instance, some were monotheistic, some polytheistic, some were celibate, some not.

Moi, I am only gnostic in the sense that I commune directly with the Great Spirit, without the need of any priest or so-called holy book or ritual.

Yes, everyone has their own take on things, that happens with everything. What does communicating with God directly have anything to do with Gnosticism? Or at least, how does that make you Gnostic? I'm going by the definition of Gnosticism as defined by the site I linked to.

[ArmsMerchant]

The literal translation of "gnosis," from which the word "gnostic" is derived is "knowledge."

Therefore, a gnostic is one with direct knowledge of God. By the same token, an "agnostic" is one who maintgains that God cannot be known.

[Rizzo in a box]

quote:Originally posted by ArmsMerchant:

The literal translation of "gnosis," from which the word "gnostic" is derived is "knowledge."

Therefore, a gnostic is one with direct knowledge of God. By the same token, an "agnostic" is one who maintgains that God cannot be known.

Who says it has to be direct knowledge? Why not indirect? Or just some knowledge?

How are you sure you really have contact with God? How do you know there isn't a God above that God?

Also, what does "maintgains" mean? Is that some shamanic term or a simple misspelling?

[This message has been edited by Rizzo in a box (edited 12-01-2006).]