Neo-Manichaeism
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 apparently still exists and also refers to itself as Neo-Manichaeism.
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 has been extinct since as far back as the 13th century (though certain Manichaean beliefs persisted in China and in Europe through the Cathar and other dualistic religions), much of the ancient literature and knowledge of this faith has been lost.
Some believers also stated that the Judeo-Christian God of the Old Testament is actually the God of Evil. Some had an alternative view of Genesis, where the serpent was good and right in encouraging Eve to eat the forbidden fruit of knowledge. This is explained by Elaine Pagels in "The Gnostic Gospels."
In ancient times Manichaeans divided theselves 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.
Like the ancient faith, Neo-Manichaean believers revere both Jesus of Nazareth (commonly referred to as Jesus Christ) and Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha (the founder of Buddhism), as well as Zoroaster (also known as Zarathustra or Zardoz).
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.
