Gnosticism?

I saw that course on gnosticism and it opened up a lot of questions. The possibility that there is an imperfect and possibly somewhat malicious God in control of this world better answers the question of why we live in an imperfect world. And the premise that to know yourself is to know the Supreme God, also known as "The Invisible Virgin Spirit." But when Gnosticism requires us to make a commitment to Gnosticism forever without committing to another religion, otherwise face Eternal damnation is where I draw the line. Similar religions require the same commitment. I'm Catholic. I can study and live a good life iaw what other religions say. And those other religions say i have a chance by following my own religion. But if I switch religions, even with Catholicism, that's the worse thing i can do. So switching to anything else is unthinkable.

But still I find the study of other religions to be truly fascinating. Because "Enquiring minds want to know!"

One more thing that I wanted to mention. I try to look at religions, not from a historical perspective, but from a mythic perspective. We won't be able to get anything out of religion if we're constantly asking the questions like "Is the Holy Bible historically accurate?" Or "Did Muhammad really get visited by Allah while in the cave when he wrote down the Quran?" Because to commit to such a view would mean that you believe in the negation of all other religions. But if you cease to ask, "Is the myth really true?" and begin to ask, "What truths can be found in the myth?" (Or: What is the moral of the story?") If this line of thinking is applied, then The Parables of Jesus Christ can make sense to muslims. The teachings of Muhammad can make sense to Christians. And Believers of opposing religions can build an understanding among themselves. This makes it easier to "...Love thy neighbor as thyself." Those are the words of Jesus. And I heard Muhammad gave instructions to Muslims to get along with Christians, Jews, and Sabians.

I watched a course on Gnosticism on Great Courses, taught by Dr David Brakke. Dr Brakke also wrote:
The Gnostics: Myth, Ritual, and Diversity in Early Christianity https://a.co/d/7EnK8Yp

i like the gospel of thomas

Read Pagels Gnostic Gospels and form your own judgement. She writes succinctly.

I clicked "Yes" although it's not entirely true. I find the idea of salvation through knowledge extremely interesting and modern (oh yes!), and I also often feel like we are prisoners in this world, that we are not really a part of this world.

I have heard of the Gnostics, and was very interested in the little bit that I read.

I am Christian.

I am not Gnostic.

But I don't throw around the H - word lightly.

So none of your poll options fit me.

@DrWatson It's good to hear you walk by faith and not by sight. So you should have answered the third option. Keep the the faith if you want to. Choose another if you don't. But when i put a poll out there, choose one of the given answers. Or not at all.

I think Gnostic Christians mostly went extinct, because Pauline Christianity was the brand that ultimately won dominance.

Bart D Erhman has a few thoughts too. Less reliable than Pagels. Good on other early Christian sects which perished.

Elaine Pagels seems to know a lot about them. Nobody else does.