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Definition:
The title Gnosticism comes from the Greek gnosis, which means "knowledge,"
and is applied to various religious beliefs which can be characterized by a
particularly dualistic perspective on reality.
One part of reality is the phenomenal world we all share which was created by one god, often called the demiurge. The other part of reality is not phenomenal but spiritual, and can only be accessed by special, mystical knowledge. The God which created the spiritual world is the "real" God who is opposed to the demiurge. This allows gnostics to escape the problem of evil, made much more difficult for gnosticism which posits such a good god but such an evil world.
Forms of gnosticism were very influential in the development of various religions throughout the Mediterranean region between the 2nd and 4th centuries CE. Often, they were treated as heresies because they believed that the gods of the orthodox forms of religion were, in fact, simply the demiurge.
Also Known As: none
Alternate Spellings: none
Common Misspellings: none
Related Resources:
What is Theism?
What is the difference between monotheism and monolatry? Between pantheism and panentheism? How about between animism and shamanism? Or theism and deism? What the heck is henotheism? For that matter, what is and is not a religion?What is Religion?
A system of human beliefs, ideals and practices which is harder to define than it may at first appear.
