What inspired you to identify yourself as "Gnostic"? (Jesus, ritual)

[doppelgänger]

Originally Posted by SimonMagus

The Gospel of John looks like it's been tampered with if you ask me. Why the heck would a Gospel written to refute such deadly Gnosticism have so much Gnostic undertones and strange differences from the Synoptic Gospels.

I think it's principal author was a big fan of Philo of Alexandria.

[Godfather89]

I'm curious to hear your stories about what inspired you to start identifying yourself as "Gnostic."

I just find the major world religions as well, not to be the ultimate source of salvation or anything. I said to myself... Is that all for my religion. I didn't believe in religious exclusivity but, religious inclusiveness.

If you haven't always identified yourself as "Gnostic," how did you identify yourself before you decided upon "Gnostic"?

Before being a gnostic I was a Christian. Born in a Catholic Household and received all the sacraments. After confirmation I was in a state of Christian Agnosticism I wasn't sure about God but Jesus I still followed his teachings. Than after some hard times a few years ago went back to Christianity and became born-again Christian. With my love for Philosophy and debating with atheist during my born-again christian days, I landed into Gnosticism.

At first I was unsure about it than I accepted it and became very interested in Gnosticism. Now I am happy to be Gnostic.

What kinds of ideas, experiences and feeling made you decide to identify yourself as "Gnostic"?

I valued wisdom and learning something to help me get the best in my life. I felt strongly God shapes us through our experience and that dogmatics should not shape our lives. I thought of what it meant to be heretical? When I did understand the term I asked myself "Just who were the heretics being heretical against? God or Men who claim to know what God is and define God in their arrogance?"

How does your "gnostic" identity relate to those who you perceive identify themselves with other identities, such as "Catholic", "Muslim," "Mormon," "Buddhist," etc.?

... The Gnostic Identity is about Knowing Yourself, Insight and Personal Responsibility and reliance. It seems to me that accepting Christ without taking responsibility and being true to yourself doesn't save you from anything. Something Christ IMO would rather us do. Gnosticism is Catholic on the outside and Buddhist like within. It sort of like both worlds in one religion.

[A. Ben-Shema]

Originally Posted by doppelgänger

I'm curious to hear your stories about what inspired you to start identifying yourself as "Gnostic."

If you haven't always identified yourself as "Gnostic," how did you identify yourself before you decided upon "Gnostic"?

I guess I considered myself a 'Christian' (whatever that means) ~ I always had a great admiration for Jesus (and still do).

What kinds of ideas, experiences and feeling made you decide to identify yourself as "Gnostic"?

After my initiation into the Sacred mysteries of the Spirit ('FIRE' Baptism), and actually experiencing the 'LIGHT' of God (i.e. 'FIRE' ~ as Moses describes as like an eternal 'burning bush', and Jesus revealed in His 'FIRE' baptism), and thus KNOWING the Truth (GNOSIS) first-hand.

How does your "gnostic" identity relate to those who you perceive identify themselves with other identities, such as "Catholic", "Muslim," "Mormon," "Buddhist," etc.?

I now accept ALL genuine Masters which these religions (except Mormonism) claim to follow (e.g. Jesus, Mohammed, Buddha, Moses, etc.), but I do not accept any 'blind' belief system ~ which ALL religion is.

PLU