From: RFaussette@aol.com
Date: Tue Sep 30 2003 - 07:50:06 EDT
In a message dated 9/29/03 4:29:44 PM Eastern Daylight Time, gmurphy@raex.com
writes:
> Sure, "gnosticism" can be used in a very general sense for any religion or
> philosophy which emphasizes /gnosis/, knowledge. Clement of Alexandria,
> e.g., called
> Christianity the true gnosis.
I suppose, but I made the distinction between gnosis (ontology - a state of
being) and gnosticism (philosophy,cosmogony,cosmology - ways of TALKING ABOUT
being) which is crucial. I'm going to stick to that distinction because its
the important one which is why I mentioned it.
To give you an example, kabbalists also have a philosophy with a demiurge who
creates the world and an ineffable God in the background but kabbalists also
developed devekut or "communion with god" which is essentially (redemption in
the here and now). One concept a philosophy, the other a state of being.
Clement was right. That's why the magi came. The Persian priests. Persia
still had the memory of the ancient self sacrifice. Olmstead says in Darius' time,
men would still willingly sacrifice themselves for their satrap. Darius was
fond of saying - I am an aryan, speaking of his religious roots
rich faussette
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