Neo-Manichaeism: Difference between revisions
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'''Neo-Manichaeism''' is usually a Christian theological reference to various Christian sects and movements inspired by or resembling the ancient dualistic religion of [[Mani]], which promoted the idea that Good and Evil were equally powerful, and locked in an eternal struggle. A minor contemporary effort to revive the ancient faith of [[Manichaeism]] still exists and also refers to itself as Neo-Manichaeism. |
'''Neo-Manichaeism''' is usually a Christian theological reference to various Christian sects and movements inspired by or resembling the ancient dualistic religion of [[Mani]], which promoted the idea that Good and Evil were equally powerful, and locked in an eternal struggle. A minor contemporary effort to revive the ancient faith of [[Manichaeism]] still exists and also refers to itself as Neo-Manichaeism. |
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==Medieval Neo-Manichaean sects== |
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| ⚫ | Neo-Manichaens believed in a dualistic world view. A light force and a dark force ruled the affairs of humans and the natural world. Because Manichaeism was wiped out by the 16th century (and only existed this long in China), much of the ancient literature and knowledge of this faith is either fragmentary or lost. Although twentieth-century discoveries made in [[Orthodox Christian]] churches have dramatically increased the body of Manichaean knowledge, and scholarly efforts to translate and interpret texts are ongoing, there will likely always be gaps in what is known about ancient Manichaeism. These gaps influence and limit the modern Manichaean church. |
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*[[Cathari]] |
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*[[Bogomils]] |
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==Manichaean Orthodox Church== |
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| ⚫ | Some believers follow the beliefs of [[Marcion]], a heretical Christian who claimed two opposed Gods: the [[Jewish]] God of the [[Old Testament]] and the [[Christian]] God of the [[New Testament]]. The Old Testament God was perceived as cruel, vengeful, and just. The New God was perceived as kind and forgiving. This inspired, for instance, the worship of the serpent in the [[Garden of Eden]], as he offered knowledge and fought the Jewish God. Marcionism was necessarily anti-semitic, but was wiped out for other reasons early in the Christian era. |
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{{main|Order of Nazorean Essenes}} |
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{{split|Order of Nazorean Essenes}} |
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| ⚫ | In ancient times Manichaeans divided themselves into two groups: The "Elect", who were clergy and the "Listeners" who were laymen. The Elect lived a life of self denial: they abstained from sex, would not eat from sunrise to sunset, prayed and avoided manual labor. Modern day Manichaeans do not generally follow the strict [[asceticism]] of the ancient Elects, but do allow those seeking such a life to practice it. |
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Like the ancient faith, Neo-Manichaean believers revere [[Jesus of Nazareth]] (Jesus Christ), [[Siddhartha Gautama]], known as the [[Buddha]], and [[Zoroaster]] (also known as Zarathustra or Zardoz). |
Like the ancient faith, Neo-Manichaean believers revere [[Jesus of Nazareth]] (Jesus Christ), [[Siddhartha Gautama]], known as the [[Buddha]], and [[Zoroaster]] (also known as Zarathustra or Zardoz). |
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| ⚫ | In ancient times Manichaeans divided themselves into two groups: The "Elect", who were clergy and the "Listeners" who were laymen. The Elect lived a life of self denial: they abstained from sex, would not eat from sunrise to sunset, prayed and avoided manual labor. Modern day Manichaeans do not generally follow the strict [[asceticism]] of the ancient Elects, but do allow those seeking such a life to practice it. |
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| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | Neo-Manichaens believed in a dualistic world view. A light force and a dark force ruled the affairs of humans and the natural world. Because Manichaeism was wiped out by the 16th century (and only existed this long in China), much of the ancient literature and knowledge of this faith is either fragmentary or lost. Although twentieth-century discoveries made in [[Orthodox Christian]] churches have dramatically increased the body of Manichaean knowledge, and scholarly efforts to translate and interpret texts are ongoing, there will likely always be gaps in what is known about ancient Manichaeism. These gaps influence and limit the modern Manichaean church. |
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| ⚫ | Some believers follow the beliefs of [[Marcion]], a heretical Christian who claimed two opposed Gods: the [[Jewish]] God of the [[Old Testament]] and the [[Christian]] God of the [[New Testament]]. The Old Testament God was perceived as cruel, vengeful, and just. The New God was perceived as kind and forgiving. This inspired, for instance, the worship of the serpent in the [[Garden of Eden]], as he offered knowledge and fought the Jewish God. Marcionism was necessarily anti-semitic, but was wiped out for other reasons early in the Christian era. |
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=== External links === |
=== External links === |
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Revision as of 14:28, 14 May 2007
Neo-Manichaeism is usually a Christian theological reference to various Christian sects and movements inspired by or resembling the ancient dualistic religion of Mani, which promoted the idea that Good and Evil were equally powerful, and locked in an eternal struggle. A minor contemporary effort to revive the ancient faith of Manichaeism still exists and also refers to itself as Neo-Manichaeism.
Medieval Neo-Manichaean sects
Manichaean Orthodox Church
 | It has been suggested that this article be split into a new article titled Order of Nazorean Essenes. (discuss) |
The Order of Nazorean Essenes, also called the Manichaean Orthodox Church, is an Oregon based Church seeking to revive Manichaeism. It offers courses for laymen and clergy alike via the internet.
Like the ancient faith, Neo-Manichaean believers revere Jesus of Nazareth (Jesus Christ), Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha, and Zoroaster (also known as Zarathustra or Zardoz).
In ancient times Manichaeans divided themselves into two groups: The "Elect", who were clergy and the "Listeners" who were laymen. The Elect lived a life of self denial: they abstained from sex, would not eat from sunrise to sunset, prayed and avoided manual labor. Modern day Manichaeans do not generally follow the strict asceticism of the ancient Elects, but do allow those seeking such a life to practice it.
Neo-Manichaens believed in a dualistic world view. A light force and a dark force ruled the affairs of humans and the natural world. Because Manichaeism was wiped out by the 16th century (and only existed this long in China), much of the ancient literature and knowledge of this faith is either fragmentary or lost. Although twentieth-century discoveries made in Orthodox Christian churches have dramatically increased the body of Manichaean knowledge, and scholarly efforts to translate and interpret texts are ongoing, there will likely always be gaps in what is known about ancient Manichaeism. These gaps influence and limit the modern Manichaean church.
Some believers follow the beliefs of Marcion, a heretical Christian who claimed two opposed Gods: the Jewish God of the Old Testament and the Christian God of the New Testament. The Old Testament God was perceived as cruel, vengeful, and just. The New God was perceived as kind and forgiving. This inspired, for instance, the worship of the serpent in the Garden of Eden, as he offered knowledge and fought the Jewish God. Marcionism was necessarily anti-semitic, but was wiped out for other reasons early in the Christian era.