Subduction Zone
Veteran Member
No, that's just foolish misapplication and misunderstanding.
It (properly) refers to an acquired process of external spiritual knowledge relating to metaphysics and philosophy. The best likening I can give you that you *might* get, would be Shamanism.
A Gnostic is not an armchair book reader, it is a seeker of altered states and the whole nine yards (irregardless of religion or tradition, in the sense that Gnostic traditions have continued to emerge throughout the mystical traditions of all religions.......)
A Gnostic is someone that you (as the materialist you are) would refer to as a crackpot, you'd probably see them on the level as a New Ager or something.
No, that is not the case. The definitions of words change over time. It may not match your preferred usage, but there is no official definition of the word.