Gnostic ideas make sense

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The ideas regarding the Demiurge and The Archons makes more sense than what the modern church tends to present. The world today would be a nightmare to the old gnostic movements. The idea of the world being run by an arrogant blind deity makes sense. No loving deity would put those like us here in this materialistic prison planet.

Ialdabaoth, God of the Old Testament. I found the gnostic theology to be very appealing, from the standpoint of logic and awareness of the ways of the world, but rather bleak and paranoid, and not something I would espouse, because it does not offer much hope.

I like a cheerful, hopeful theology about a God that loves, God of the New Testament. Perhaps I will get around to reading the New Testament one day. I really need to get back into the habit of reading, and plan to do so when I retire.

As for "no loving deity would put those like us here in this materialistic prison planet," well, I don't know. Life is brief, there is a time limit to suffering, to be sure. What is eighty years, in cosmic terms? Also, I don't know about you, but I feel happiness over little things every day, whether it be a cup of coffee, or my cat, that loves me and wants to be near me always. He follows me around all day long on the weekends. If I go to a room... he has to go to that room, too.

I agree. I was listening to a lot of Bart Ehrman's books and in one of the books (Lost Christianities maybe?) he went into a little detail on early Christianity sects and Gnosticism was particularly interesting. The Old Testament God is evil? Uhh... yeah. Obviously. But our modern brand of Christianity doesn't like that idea.

In fact, I was discussing this with my Christian dad, just from a standpoint of history (and neutrally, so I didn't say anything like the above) and the idea of Gnosticism got him so mad and argumentative even though I was just, like, laying out historical Christian beliefs?? He hates that it is even called Christianity at all.

Anyway, I should clarify that I don't believe in any of this. Not Gnosticism, nor modern trinity Christianity.

There was a WP member named GnosticBishop who posted very frequently.

I wonder whatever happened to him. He had Kaa from the Jungle Book as his avatar.

Gnosticism is fascinating, even if I adamantly disagree with the belief that the material world is evil or a prison.

The world is exciting and interesting! Full of wonder and adventure. Countless sights and sounds to contemplate. The microscopic geometric perfection of outwardly imperfect matter. The beauty of the fundamental laws of mathematics and physics. Chocolate. Sunsets. Sex. Music. That satisfying feeling when you pop your back after sitting down for too long. Cream soda.

Seems to me like more good than bad in the world. Maybe imperfect, maybe painful sometimes, but hardly evil.