As a sidenote, I wonder how many people are actually voting for Gnostic thinking it means Agnostic.

If I was voting Agnostic, I woulda put Gnostic. *cough* What's Gnostic then?

"As noted, Gnosticism has been defined as a mystical religion (Ellwood and Partin: 96). It is a mixing of rites and myths from a variety of religious traditions, combining Occultism, Oriental Mysticism, astrology, magic, elements from Jewish tradition, Christian views of redemption, and even aspects of Plato's doctrine that man is not at home in the bodily realm (McManners: 26). Despite the fact that many Gnostic systems vary, they all have in common "a world view shaped by Hellenism and Neoplatism" and "esoteric Judaism, Zoroastrianism, and the ancient heritages of Egypt and Mesopotamia."(Ellwood and Partin: 92) One can directly trace some of the individual aspects of Gnosticism to their roots. Their beliefs in the resurrection of the dead and dualism come from Iranian-Zoroastrian religious ideas (Rudolph: 282). Their communities are organized like the Hellenistic Mystery religions (Rudolph: 285). Orphism and Greek background influenced the Gnostic belief that the soul suffers in this world and it is fate that man should have to endure it. In turn, living a righteous life leads to salvation (Rudolph: 286)."

Taken from http://www.meta-religion.com/Esoterism/Gno.../gnosticism.htm

Actually, if you really want to get specific, all of the traditions of Buddhism are radically different. Even to the idea of how one becomes enlightened or whether someone can even become enlightened.

And Taoist roots had virtually nothing to do with Buddhism. Buddhism started in India; Taoism started in China. (They both later spread, of course, but still. Taoism isn't a subsect of Buddhism in any way.)

Oh, yeah...I'm Buddhist...I practice Tibetan Buddhism, to be more specific...of the Kagyu school. I doubt anyone will know what the hell I'm talking about beyond that, so I'll just shut up

Isn't Hindu Indian? I've always seen Buddhists assciated with China and Japan...

Hinduism and Buddhism both originated in India; Hinduism in about 1500 BCE and Buddhism in about 500 BCE.

Edited to add: China was first exposed to Buddhism in about 100 BCE and it became more established around 100 CE. Japan was first exposed to Buddhism in about 500-600 CE.

Taoism developed as a spiritual reaction to Confucianism so instead of living your life according to cultural rules, you lived according to natural processes. I can just get completely lost in Taoist writings, it's an amazing outlook on life.

I think Buddhism developed as a rational approach to Hinduism, they share a lot of the lifestyle stuff but without all the gods. I know way too little about Buddhism, I need to read more.

Well, I but Gnostic instead of Agnostic. My bad.

Well I put Gnostic, and not as mistake, I am a gnostic christian.

I purposely selected Gnostic(not agnostic) as well. I am also a Gnostic Christian.

wow, 2 of us in such a small group, thats unexpected.

Must say I was suprised.

Gnostic Christan? This demands more detail...

To be specific, Hindi don't actually believe in several gods. All those 'gods' are aspects of their divinity, if I recall correctly.

Buddhism has many "gods" depending on what tradition you are in, but just not in the way a lot of people think of a god. They're more like prayer-deities - manifestations of enlightened energy.

I knew I know too little about Buddhism and Hinduism. Ima going to read up on it all now. It might help me with my struggle with atheism.

Gnostic Christianity is almost as variable as the 'mainstream' Christian Sects. There is Celtic Christianity, The Followers of Jesus in Afghanistan, The Mandeans of Iraq (though they are actually Johannites), The Coptics of Egypt are often labelled as Gnostics, there are some small Jewish descended sects in India, then you have your modern Templars, Masons, and Catharites who claim descent from the original organizations. You even have a few who claim adherance to the early Hellenic sects. Wouldn't be suprised if there was a community or two in the mid-East that still claimed to be followers of the Essene tradition or of the Church of James. Then there is what some call Mystical Christianity, which seems to be a haven for certain New Agers. There are many more (like my self) which don't fall into any of these categories but use the term Gnostic because it best fits our personal views.

So something like the Sethians (Only thing out of all you listed I am familier with.)

Well the Sethians may have not been a Christian sect in their beginning. From what I've read they blended with the Valentinians in the history of the early Church so that would make them a Hellenistic sect. About the only shared doctrine in all Gnostic sects is Internalism. 'Mainstream' Christianity preaches that Salvation comes from without , ie: through Christ by accepting him as a Divine Saviour. Gnosticism professes that Salvation(Elightenment, Ascension, etc.) comes from within, through the process of prayer/meditation/awareness on one's own connection with Divinty/The Universe/The Ultimate Mind/ or what have you.

Of course that is my own take. I don't presume to speak for any other and there are probably many Gnostics who will disagree with me. I am sure Alyssandra has her own views and maybe she'll share them. Or maybe she wont. Many Gnostic sects believe their principles to be sacred and not to be shared with out siders.

Yes its pretty much like Cron says. A system based around the private teachings of Jesus to his Apostles, rather than his public teachings. Lots to do with the achievement of oneness with the rest of mankind. And when all man can enlighten each other and understand one another and achieve oneness, that is the Kingdom of God that Jesus promised us.

Obviously thats a simplified quick version, but I would be more than happy to discuss it with you in PMs or some such.

I'm an atheist; I don't believe in my existance!