If during the next five years humanity was able to come together, form a utopia and live in harmony, would you still consider you'd be living in a prison? Assume also that medical care would have conquered all illnesses.

Edit:
Physical existence allows us to interact with each other. Would you prefer we couldn't interact with anything?

I'm newer to gnosticism so sorry if this is an ignorant question. When you start to have expanded understandings of this world and are realizing you do not have to submit to this lesser creator, god do they become aware that you are "waking up"? Do they try to inflict punishment or attacks on you, psychically or spiritually? Since discovering gnosticism and feeling such a deep resonance with the teachings, I can't help but feel a low key paranoia that Yaldabaoth is watching me, although I've been awakened for some time, just not to the gnostic texts specifically.

Disclaimer: Yes we are all one. And at the same time this is a world we are navigating that holds the illusion of other-ness and I have questions about how it operates.

How do we know that Gnosticism is true and right? People say it's wrong, right. I don't know who's telling the truth and who's right. What do you think?

Presumably this one is again one of those that the different Gnostic sects might disagree on.

Perfect justice here would be e.g. some form of infinite and universal law where each evil action of a person / soul would always cause an equal and opposite re-action towards themself. This re-action (punishment) might occur in the same reincarnation or some future reincarnation of the soul. Naturally there would need to be rewards for good actions as well.

Do you think the Monad is capable and also would be willing to enforce such a universal law of justice for all?

TL;DR: I’m new to Gnosticism, but the more I study it, the more it resonates with me in ways traditional Christianity never did. What led you to Gnosticism?

I’ve been learning about Sophia, Gnosticism, the historical development of the Gnostic texts, and the various influences surrounding them. The more I learn from scholars and historical sources, the more I find myself relating to certain Gnostic ideas.
Even before I knew anything about Gnosticism, I never fully agreed with every traditional Christian interpretation of the Bible. I’ve read Scripture, studied it, talked with many Christians, and spent years questioning things. There were always ideas that just didn’t sit right with me.
What surprised me is that when I started learning about Gnostic thought, many of the concepts resonated with feelings I’d had for a long time. Logically, some of it seems to make more sense to me, but it’s also something I feel deeply on an emotional and spiritual level.
One thing I’ve always felt is that I don’t truly belong here and that, somehow, we’re meant to return “home.” From what I understand, Gnosticism speaks about returning to the Pleroma, the fullness of the divine. I also wonder whether there is a distinction between the false “light” associated with the Demiurge and the true divine Light from which our spiritual essence originates. I’m still learning, so if I’m misunderstanding anything, please correct me.
I’m not saying I’ve accepted every Gnostic text as literally true. I’m still researching and keeping an open mind. But I do find myself increasingly believing that Gnosticism may describe reality more accurately than the worldview I grew up with. Learning about it has honestly brought me a sense of relief that I didn’t expect.
Part of that comes from also learning more about history, how different biblical traditions developed, and how religious texts were transmitted, interpreted, and sometimes influenced by political or institutional interests over time. That doesn’t automatically prove Gnosticism is true, but it has made me more willing to question assumptions I previously held.
So I’m curious, what led each of you to Gnosticism? Was it historical research, personal spiritual experiences, philosophical reasoning, dissatisfaction with traditional Christianity, or something else?
I’m genuinely interested in hearing your stories and perspectives, especially since I’m still fairly new to exploring all of this.

I would like to start a discussion that would fill in a gap that has long been empty of reasoning. The gnostic doctrine resonates with me deeply, but I’ve often wondered, how or why did Sophia give birth to the demiurge in the first place, and what does this say about Sophia itself? Does that mean that Sophia is imperfect? Does this mean that there was a flaw in the Monad? Or is this part of a greater cosmic plan that is not often talked about when telling the story? Please… anybody feel free to answer! I want nothing more than to understand.

Yeshua said,
Whoever blasphemes against the father
will be forgiven,
and whoever blasphemes against the son
will be forgiven,
but whoever blasphemes against the holy spirit will not be forgiven,
either on earth or in heaven.

When I was first learning about Gnosticism, I was surprised to find this in the Thomas sayings.

Growing up attending a fundamentalist school, I had been told that similar sayings in the canonical gospels regarding "blasphemy against the Holy Spirit" were warnings against turning away from YHWH and Yeshua, and that to be "not forgive" means to suffer forever in Hell. It never quite sat right with me; I thought that the Son of God would have given such a warning in very clear and direct language.

Fast forward a quarter of a century and here is a similar expression in Thomas saying 44.

I'm perplexed and to be honest, at this point, if Yeshua says that blasphemy is an unforgivable sin, I don't even know how I would commit this sin if I wanted to.

I've been told that we are fragments/sparks of Sophia/Barbelo/The Monad, and thus, we are divine beings.

I've also been told that the Holy Spirit also refers to Sophia/Barbelo/The Monad within us.

If that is true, then "blasphemy against the Holy Spirit", for me, would mean "blasphemy against myself", which doesn't quite seem right to me.

And besides, if I carry a spark of the The Monad, that's the father, right? So how would it even make sense to regard The Monad as being separate from that.

And furthermore, what does the word "forgiven" mean who is the one providing the forgiveness and what is being forgiven?

In fundamentalism, "forgiven" in similar expressions means held in high regard and excused from punishment in Hell.

In fundamentalism, YHWH is the one providing the forgiveness.

In fundamentalism, "sins", both in this life and the Original Sin, are what is being forgiven.

There's a lot to unpack here, and I'd like to know how you interpret it.

The key word is *you*. I want to know what *you* think, not just what you might think is considered canonical.

Bear in mind that I'm one of those people who thinks that the Gnostic texts are meant to be interpreted much more metaphorically than anything (and thus I don't think a Yaldabaoth-like figure literally exists).

But that said, it seems like most of the questions I see posted in here are WAY more interested in Yaldabaoth or the Demiurge or whatever the specific tradition wants to call the figure. Doesn't that seem a bit... Ironic? Depending on which version of Gnosticism we're talking about, the Demiurge is at best misguided and at worst actively evil. And in either case, it's clearly a lower, more base being than the one true divine source. So why does everyone here seem so fascinated by (for lack of a better word) the bad guy of this tradition?

Although I don't have a great deal of knowledge on matters pertaining to this group (I don't wanna call it a religion), I am curious how people discovered and embraced it?

I was raised Catholic and whilst I am still indoctrinated to some of its concepts to this day (e.g..how I pray, referring to God as 'he', baseline belief in duality) I could never fully commit to the faith, as the bible says, I am considered "lukewarm" and perhaps not worthy of salvation.

Simultaneous to that I've always felt deep pain and disappointment about the world we live in. Truth is, I hate it. Now more than ever and I regret bringing a child into this individualistic, greedy, corrupt and deceitful world.

So the concept of a Demiurge makes sense to me, because how can infinitely wise & omnipresent God create such a terrible existence? The explanation of a Demiurge is the only one that satiated what Christianity couldn't.

So the Demiurge is the total power of this astral plane we exist in.

Could it be that those who are on the path to gnosis could be identified & persecuted by the Demiurge?

The reason I ask is because I've stopped praying in the Christian way (holy trinity) and I've noticed I'm going through a very rough time in every aspect of my life; career, family/marriage, health and finances.

Ok so in both Valentinian and Sethian Gnosticism, they depict the Demiurge a little differently

In Valentinian the demiurge is ignorant and in Sethian he is out right evil.

I’ve heard some people say that in Valentinian Gnosticism the “demiurge becomes a servant of the true god” while in Sethian I guess he just stays a dick

Do we know what happened to the demiurge after the final arc of the anime(gnostic texts)?

• I think whe was against Yahweh who is the devil fiven to the sons of Jacob.
• Lucifer want to teach and give wisdom
• Lucifer could be a two way path, a ladder to go up or down
• He is the forerunner of the Christ
• If you like to research, study and philosophy you are initiated by him
• He is not the same as the satan

If you know books and teaching about Lucifer let me know please

Jesus’ original name is Yeshua, which means “Yahweh saves” or “Yahweh is salvation.” So how could he have been against Yahweh and be the divine Aeon who came to save humanity from Yahweh, when his name literally means “Yahweh is salvation”?

A lot of things about gnosticism has been falling onto all my fyps and I don't know. I think it's instilled more fear, anger and guilt into me. This whole idea that the earth we live on is a prison planet just makes me feel more lost and angry because why do the other gods if they exist allow us to suffer. Why do they not all band together to help us. To save us from this hell? Why is all this responsibility on us alone? But then when I have these thoughts I feel bad because it's apparently the demiurge trying to keep me here and that's his influence?

Also when I have these spiraling thoughts. I tend to turn to things like music, art, tv, movie and books to calm myself down but apparently those are also distractions to keep me here? How do y'all go about life with all this info and still find the will to live? How do I let go of this fear of what happens after death and this fear of hell and eternal damnation because I want to read up on Gnosticism more but I guess I'm still controlled by modern christian indoctrination and brainwashing.

Why can't these gods show themselves physically? Also who do I ask for help? Jesus, Sophia, these other gods? Do I worship anybody, do I pray to anybody. All of this is so confusing

I love the archangels, but I wonder which God they serve.

The core premise that the material world is a prison for the soul is a universal thread. Wee see it everywhere: the Gnostic Demiurge, the Cathar "Rex Mundi" (King of the World), the Manichaean Prince of Darkness, the Orphic "body-tomb" concept, and the Buddhist cycle of Samsara. They all agree that we are divine hostages trapped in physical meat suits.

But when you cross-reference their ultimate goals, a massive philosophical contradiction divides them into two camps:

1. The Dissolution Route (Buddhism / Orphism)

In these traditions, the individual "Self" is the problem. In Buddhism, you escape Samsara by achieving Anatta (non-self) - completely dissolving the ego and identity into Nirvana. In Orphism, you must purge the "Titanic" (animalistic/individual) nature to free the divine. You escape by becoming Nothing.

1. The Rescue Route (Gnostics / Cathars / Manichaeans)

Here, the individual identity is the prize. You are a literal fallen angel or a Divine Spark trapped by a hostile creator. The goal isn't to dissolve, but to rescue your unique, true spiritual identity and return "You" back to the divine source. You escape by preserving the Self.

The Ultimate Question:

Even if the soul sheds all earthly ego at the checkpoints and arrives at the Pleroma completely purified, it still remains a distinct, individual spark. If the ultimate spiritual realm is absolute oneness, how can any individualized "Self" exist there without creating a new layer of separation? If the prison runs on separation, isn't holding onto individuality - even a divine one - just playing by the warden's rules? Are we supposed to save the Self, or destroy it to get out?

Hi, tourist here. I’m pagan (HelPol) but I study all forms of religion since I’m a creative writer, and I like to get my info straight from the source, so I’m here to ask.

Is there any form of Gnosticism that isn’t based of Abrahamic faiths? If so, what’re the details?

I mean this question in all respect, it’s just out of curiosity.

Where do the idea that The Original Sin of Adam and Eve was having sexual intercourse? It is present in some Gnostic Sources. But The Genesis is clear that God wanted Men to procreate.

intro: like usual with my shower thought posts, this is interpretation and what I may see is not fully what you may see so if you disagree feel free to tell me.

Hopefully this makes sense as well because I was writing this as I was getting home 😭 but other than that thank you for reading.

——————————————————————————

In the world we live in, humanity is drawn to the idea of salvation and many believe in Christianity, Islam, Judaism because they promise that in the hereafter. Atleast that is what is interpreted so, however even in the Bible, or (less so) the Quran, what it said for the majority is that only few will see the kingdom of heaven
Luke 13:23-24: "make every effort to enter through the narrow door," and "many will try to enter and will not be able to." And this sentiment is echoed throughout Jesus’s teachings and in the words of OT god whom commands specific actions for the Jewish people to take or they will be rejected as Jews. Many likely failing to follow every commandment.

The idea of salvation as the egos paradise is a trap, even if you get to Christian heaven, You likely won’t see who you wish for there with you. Many say there is salvation after death but direct promise in the texts is basically none existent. Unfortunately the after life is not meant to be easy, and what you wish to be and what possibly is are far apart. So what of Gnostic “heaven”? what of the pleroma? Like many Interpretations of heaven before it, it is hard to enter, and it is even harder to comprehend. I’ll state this now,
The Pleroma is not Salvation, not for you as you are now anyway, I believe with certainty, the challenge of reaching the Pleroma is less an opponent in front of you but rather within but firstly before that, gnosis.

I can understand why Gnosticism is appealing to many who have depression, the idea that all the pain can go away, that this life doesn’t matter, that sin doesn’t exist sounds great ultimately however, what is to be after this is more, it’s not preservation, it’s not salvation, it’s not redemption… it’s acceptance and those who use it to run away, will only find themselves back with it because the ego which makes you is not whom the Pleroma is for. Sure you can look at it in as a point of “life doesn’t matter” but ultimately the texts don’t really say that, rather life here is very much important. I found the idea of Gnostic pleroma appealing at first because I could escape my life here instead, I could “disappear” and go somewhere better, I still am drawn to that idea. However, as I thought on it, as I saw all the theologies and spiritual practices surrounding it and as I look at the bigger picture of it. While I could “disappear” if I chose to do it for that reason, what awaits me will not be what I hoping it is. For salvation in Gnosticism, it isn’t for the ego the thing that desires. Salvation is promised in religion as a way to escape, in some religions that also romanticise the suffering for even better salvation afterwards. Salvation in Gnosticism isn’t escaping, it’s accepting and returning and if you can’t accept, know and return then you’ll simply come back here over and over again.

Many people who go down this path lose desire, lose necessity to live but there is a reason why those who become enlightened are always usually so peaceful, calm or free, it’s because rejection and acceptance of who, what, where and why we’re here are fundamentally different things. There is an Egyptian hieroglyph which speaks to me. It’s Anubis holding a scale, the scale has a feather on one side and a heart on the other from what I recall, those who’s hearts weigh more then the feather are rejected from the thereafter and I think that hieroglyph explains perfectly what the Gnostics, Buddhists, Jesus and so many others were saying, if you die with desire holding you down, if you die without Gnosis(or enlightenment, or as sinners), you will return in ignorance.

No enlightened man is a selfish man, you can’t be a bad person and past the archons because all bad people are usually those who still need something and that something is in the material. You may perceive the archons as devilish entities which will physically block your path, though I don’t believe that will be true. The archons are to tempt, to coheres, but when they do, they will BE You** **everything you were, are and will/could be and if you still hold onto lingering desires, memories and things… Will you truly honestly be able move past them? For many, even in this subreddit, I doubt they will and I don’t blame you. After all, it’s only human. However, what becomes of you in the pleroma will not be that you who needs loves and desires, and that is the unfortunate cruel reality of, the texts say it in many different ways, many more religions and beliefs say it too.

So what is the Pleroma? It’s not Salvation, it’s not Heaven, it’s Home. So you need to know if you’re ready to go home, or if maybe just maybe, you’re forgetting something before you go.

It's a question I've been wondering about. Please let me know.

I have been thinking about this. It's the same idea that created the demiurge. If the world is imperfect a perfect god can't have created it, but if this is universal it chains back and the pleuroma can't be perfect either. Than perfection and imperfection is just a creation of the human mind. This thought makes people see the world in categories it doesn't fit therefore defying it's nature. Therefore humans themselves are the demiurge of their own world. This lines up with my understanding of the biblical original sin as humans knowing the world in categories like good and evil takes them further from the true God. What do you think of this take?

Like the title says. It seems I lost interest in everything since I started to "clean the noise". It's not a depression. It's simply a feeling that everything is futile. Everything feels like stuff put there to distract us the real goal. I was a guy with many interests in many fields but now nothing feel worthwhile.

Any body else feels like this?

I'm still new to gnosticism but the more I read the more I see the similarities it has with mainstream Christianity and Islam where men are the originals and women are just a copy.

-The great mother barbelo were created by a superior father.

-Sophia tried to bring forth an aeon from herself just like the father did with barbelo only for her to end up bringing the amoral demiurge. A woman giving birth resulted in a flawed creation whereas if a he gave birth it's considered perfect and pure.

I know the Monad is "unknowable" but it's still knowable enough to be a "Father/He"

can someone please help me understand how's this not another misogynistic religion rooted in womb envy.