Symenon
11-09-2006, 18:06
A couple of days ago I recountered a religion I didn't even know existed (or had existed). It was the extinct religion known as Manichaeism, this religion (from what information survives) originated in Babylon (3rd Century A.D.) by a man named Mani who was considered to be a prophet. This religion taught two basic things, Dualism (in the nature of Good vrs. Evil) and that Knowledge is the Key to Salvation.
This religion attempted to gather and unite the various religions that existed at that time and that Mani was aware of (these were Christianity, Buddhism, and Zoroastrianism).
It was because of this religion that we have so much information on Gnostic Christianity and other traditions that the Catholic Church and Islam managed to grind into dust.
Of course Manichaeism was persecuted heavily by the Christians, Zoroastrians, and by the Muslims later on during their invasion of Persia (the home of Manichaeism) and eventually the religion was wiped out several centuries later but it's influence remains evident in Christanity due to a certain man named St. Augustine of Hippo who was a follow of Manichaeism before becomming a Christian, despite his rejection of the belief that Knowledge alone can lead to Salvation none the less his writtings on the dual nature of Good and Evil (i.e. God and Satan) continue to shape Christian Dogma to this day.
There is a revivalist movement known as Neo-Manichaeism but beyond that the religion is extinct. But still it is nice to know that even in the dark ages there were still people trying to maintain the light of knowledge upon an ignorant world.
I just wish that it was Manichaeism that had survived and not Christianity or Islam, it just might of made this world a better place.
This religion attempted to gather and unite the various religions that existed at that time and that Mani was aware of (these were Christianity, Buddhism, and Zoroastrianism).
It was because of this religion that we have so much information on Gnostic Christianity and other traditions that the Catholic Church and Islam managed to grind into dust.
Of course Manichaeism was persecuted heavily by the Christians, Zoroastrians, and by the Muslims later on during their invasion of Persia (the home of Manichaeism) and eventually the religion was wiped out several centuries later but it's influence remains evident in Christanity due to a certain man named St. Augustine of Hippo who was a follow of Manichaeism before becomming a Christian, despite his rejection of the belief that Knowledge alone can lead to Salvation none the less his writtings on the dual nature of Good and Evil (i.e. God and Satan) continue to shape Christian Dogma to this day.
There is a revivalist movement known as Neo-Manichaeism but beyond that the religion is extinct. But still it is nice to know that even in the dark ages there were still people trying to maintain the light of knowledge upon an ignorant world.
I just wish that it was Manichaeism that had survived and not Christianity or Islam, it just might of made this world a better place.