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IFISEEUS
"There are a thousand hacking at the
branches of evil |
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A perspective on Christianity and Gnosticism Herein are some observations and thoughts on Christianity and Gnosticism, the other branch of religion that developed from the Jesus incident. In general, Christianity over-materializes its understanding of theology. For instance, in terms of translating the references to the "kingship of the heavens" and making it a physical location in the material universe by translating it "heaven" or "kingdom of heaven". It is thus usually conceived as the dwelling place of god, the central headquarters of the universe's power hierarchy. Early on, Christianity also developed an institutional structure around certain disciples. Over the centuries the proclivity for institutional formation ramified into various and sundry structures with very extensive growth for Christendom. It allied itself with the political and military power of the state. Ultimately, these organizations and structures, both political and symbolic, became more important than the individuals they ostensibly were designed to serve. In contrast, Gnosticism spiritualizes away important literal or material realities, making them subjective and mystical. Gnosticism, with its focus on individual "knowing", seems much less suited for institutionalization. In and around 1400 CE. The Christian alliance of religion and state, became incensed at the unacceptable doctrinal and behavioral extremes of the Waldensees, Cathari, Albigenses, etc., and pretty much wiped Gnosticism out with the sword. For the most part, neither Christianity nor gnosticism lets itself be informed enough by the valid part of the sciences, by the various ancient mythologies, by the ancient planetary catastrophes, by cosmology, or by reason.
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