Reprint from July 2024

FYI: The Church, The Gnostics, and the threat.

NOTE: The Knights Templar, The Christian Warrior Monks, did not participate in the extermination of the gnostics. As a matter of fact, they were gnostics themselves who also were eventually persecuted by The Holy Mother the Church.

What are the principles and practices of Gnosticism?

The principles and practices of Gnosticism vary depending on the specific sect or tradition. Still, some common beliefs include the idea that the material world is inherently flawed and that salvation can be attained through secret knowledge (gnosis) of the spiritual realm. 

Gnostics often emphasize individual spiritual experience and the attainment of self-knowledge. They may also reject traditional religious institutions and hierarchical power structures. Some Gnostic practices include meditation, asceticism, and the study of sacred texts and teachings.

What were the specific practices of the Essenes? 

The Essenes were a Jewish sect from the 2nd century BCE to the 1st century CE. They were known for their strict adherence to religious laws and customs and their focus on communal living and asceticism.

Some specific practices of the Essenes were taken from Zoroastrianism, favoring Buddhist practices, including:

Abstinence from sexual relations and the rejection of personal possessions. 

There is a strong emphasis on ritual purity and Jewish laws and customs.

They lived communally, often in isolated communities, such as the one at Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. They believed in equality between men and women and condemned the use of slaves.

A strong focus on asceticism, self-discipline, vegetarianism, and self-control.

A belief in the imminent arrival of a messiah and the end of the world.

The study of sacred texts and teachings, including the Dead Sea Scrolls, which were written by the Essenes.

Not all Essene practices were unique to them; many were shared with other Jewish sects and groups of the time.

What were the specific practices of the Cathars?

The Cathars were a Christian sect that existed in the 12th and 13th centuries, mainly in the Languedoc region of France. They were known for their dualistic beliefs and rejection of the Catholic Church and its teachings.

Some specific practices of the Cathars were:

They believed that an evil god created the material world and was inherently flawed. They believed that a good God created the spiritual realm and was perfect.

They rejected the Catholic sacraments, especially the Eucharist, and believed that the bread and wine of communion were merely symbols.

They rejected the idea of original sin and the idea of eternal damnation. They believed in reincarnation and that the soul could be trapped in a cycle of rebirths until it attained salvation.

They held their own version of the Last Supper, a ritual called the Consolamentum, which was believed to give the individual the gift of the Holy Spirit and bring them salvation.

They had a strong emphasis on asceticism and self-discipline, and they practiced vegetarianism and abstained from alcohol, tobacco, and sexual intercourse.

They firmly believed in gender equality; many of their leaders were women.

They also had a strong tradition of lay preachers; many leaders came from among the ordinary people.

It is worth noting that the Cathars embraced many of the Essene practices, were considered heretics by the Catholic Church, and faced persecution, which led to the movement's suppression in the 13th century.

Who are the Archons mentioned in Gnostic texts?

In Gnostic texts, the Archons are often described as powerful, evil beings who rule the material world and seek to keep humanity in a state of ignorance and spiritual bondage. 

They are often seen as a kind of evil demiurge, or lesser god, who created the physical universe and its inhabitants.

The Archons are often depicted as inferior to the true God and responsible for creating the material world, which is seen as flawed and imperfect. 

They are often associated with concepts such as deception, ignorance, and darkness.

Some Gnostic texts describe the Archons as having a specific role in the creation of humanity and as being responsible for the fall of Adam and Eve. 

They are said to have imposed the material form on the spiritual human to deceive humans, keep them trapped in the material world, and prevent them from attaining spiritual knowledge and liberation.

It is worth noting that the belief in the Archons and their role in the world is unique to Gnostic theology and is not present in other forms of Christianity.

Why did the Church try to destroy the Gnostics?

The Catholic Church considered the Gnostics to be heretics because of their beliefs and practices, which were seen as a deviation from the doctrine of the Church.

One of the main reasons the Church sought to suppress Gnosticism was its belief in secret knowledge or gnosis, which was seen as a threat to the Church's authority. 

The Church taught that salvation could only be attained through faith and the sacraments, whereas the Gnostics believed it could be gained through self-knowledge and personal spiritual experience.

Additionally, Gnostics rejected the idea of original sin, the need for redemption, and the concept of the trinity, all of which were central to the Church's doctrine. This led to the Gnostics being seen as threatening the Church's teachings and authority.

The Gnostics also rejected the authority of the Church hierarchy and the idea of a centralized religious institution, which went against the Church's view of itself as the one true and authoritative institution through which salvation could be attained.

Another reason the Church sought to suppress the Gnostics was their rejection of the material world, which was seen as a denial of the goodness of God's creation and a rejection of the Church's teachings on the physical resurrection of the dead.

In summary, the Church perceived the Gnostics as a threat to its authority, teachings, and doctrine. Therefore, it sought to suppress and eliminate them.

For the video "Banned by the Church." click here