Christian Gnostic Manifesto: The Deeper Understanding to Christian Beliefs

Christian Gnosticism is one of the few religions with any set dogma's and doctrines. It is important to define what a Gnostic might be to those who do not know. Again, in another article I wrote titled "Summary of Gnosticism," I said that Gnosticism is defined by the Gnostic follower on a highly individualized tone because the Gnostic has a unique experience with the divine and spiritual. However, one needs to have boundaries and values with whoever you are. This article is written to express how I have come to understand those boundaries and values.

I. The Value of Gnosis

The value of knowledge is great however; this knowledge is not so much intellectual knowledge as it is the knowledge contained in wisdom and the experience of the divine which is all around us. As we are part of the divine light that is the one true God! This knowledge is used to apply to everything in your life in order to understand and overcome anything negative in your life. This power that is contained in this type of knowledge is more powerful than money itself. In fact money itself cannot buy the power for its power is priceless.

Intellectual knowledge is only gathered through the means of wisdom. The knowing of how things work by observing them is only possible through experience. Our minds see in our unenlightened state what is only of use to us. However, when we become selfless or rid ourselves of our egotistical desires, thoughts and actions than we see things for as they are in the objective truth and not as the subjective "truths." Objective truth is seeing things for as it is and not as they serve you like in a subjective manner. One should be objective and yet have understanding there is even more in front of you than what you are subjectively seeing. Because, to believe that what is front of you is all goes against the knowledge contained in wisdom and experience.

Only through this wisdom and experience of things in spiritual will you be able to awaken your eyes. Only through the search of the truth will the veil of ignorance be washed away. This is your experience, your life and you should value your free will that you are born with and still have even if you are oppressed you still have it!

II. Secret Wisdom in the 10 Commandments

Each rule of the 10 Commandments goes far deeper than just what is written in a literal sense. It is a whole esoteric world that exists under this one that has a lot to do with what was written in the 10 commandments:

The first rule is about having "no other Gods before the one true God!" The esoteric law speaks about be true to your true self (the Christ self) and remember to be your self. It speaks of the divine knowledge being within you because; within you is the true self!

The second rule is "no idol worshipping and bowing down to them." What is an idol but an empty shell it has no value on the inside but appears to have value on the outside. To remember to be your true self one must live from the heart. One should not want things because, it looks good or seems to have a purpose on the outside but instead one needs to look within and go after the things you are truly passionate about.

"No one should speak of the Lords name in vain" is the third law. However, it means to not define yourself or others by saying "I am this" or "You are that" when you do you bring yourself and others to superficiality and do not become inward and upward, you need to know you are the creative power and because, of that need to walk in beauty and holiness you need to recognize or identify as separate and distinct for your own ego self.

"Remember, the Sabbath Day and Keep it Holy!" That is God's fourth commandment. However, the Sabbath day according to Christ was made for man. It is a day for spiritual practice to set aside for obtaining that Divine experience. In the most loving way it is a set law to make time for true self and to do good deeds. These first four commandments dealt specifically with unity and connectedness to the divine being. However, as Christ also said that Sabbath was made for man it also represents how human needs are more important than spiritual rituals. When you act on fulfilling your inner needs than, you fulfill the Sabbath day.

The fifth commandment was to "honor your mother and father." However for a child who grew up with dismissive or abusive parents this would be hard to follow through literally and even cause unfaithfulness. Instead esoterically it means to remember (honor) where you come from in both the physical and spiritual sense. This speaks of living with others as we are aware of the connectedness of this divine being. For example, if a person grew up in humble roots than, became very successful and started being boastful he is not honoring where he came from. If a child grew up with abusive parents and, than became an abusive parent the child does not honor where he/she came from.

The next commandment is "Thou shalt not murder." Now from literal sense this can be taken word for word however there is an esoteric and deeper sense of the word. As we know now according to these esoteric interpretations we are all connected to this divine being. So to kill another being is like killing a part of God. However, in the simplest sense of the esoteric commandment one should not hold negative thoughts and feelings against others because; we are not honoring the lives of others and enjoying the divine (true) life thus, we kill them and part of us in a spiritual sense.

The next commandment is "Thou shall not commit adultery." An intimate and personal relationship is a beautiful feelings and actions, in the esoteric meaning of this commandment. So as the couple are truly in love and committed to one another than there is no difference. This speaks of desire which is not bad in and of itself but it is how we direct the desire that matters. Homosexuality and Heterosexuality are essential one in the same. So as long you Honor the sacredness of sexuality and true love you are following this commandment. However, this does not have to be just between two people it can be between the person and things one is passionate about. For example, if I am passionate about baseball and, than become a sell-out as a baseball player, I betray (adultery) my passion.

"Thou shall not steal" is the eighth law. In society we have respect for the person that has much even if that person is not worthy of respect. This commandment tells you to not be greedy. Possessions and money is not good or bad it is a means to an end. That end is for our own development and experience. Thus the esoteric meaning is to honor the true purpose and meaning of things, and be willing to give as much as receive. If say you own a car and you use that car to fulfill selfish desires say going to a strip-club or even a bar you may not only endanger yourself but others with the consumption of alcohol. Thus you used it irresponsibly. However, if you used the car to go to the supermarket or work than it is a different story you are using that to get things you need especially if you have a family.

The ninth law was to not "bear false witness". We have taken this to the likes of calling it lying. However lying is just a part of it. One way to interpret this is to be aware so that you are not deceived. This also tells us of our power we have when we talk. So you should speak truthfully and positively. Live according to the truth and light revealed in your own experience. As we know powerful people have swayed the masses into fulfilling there will (Hitler, Napoleon... etc) or the will of others (Jesus Christ to Will of God).

Finally, the tenth commandment, "Thou shall not covet..." This in my opinion is the wisest commandment written. Coveting means wanting and desiring. Despite the fact the manner in which it is written you can apply to today's world. If you want something someone else has, you cannot be happy. Once you start doing that you'll need to play catch-up and wait and see what they get. That is not a way to live. If we are always looking for happiness outside ourselves we cannot be truly happy. If you were to look at this in a simpler form of the esoteric message one might say to be grateful for what you already have and enjoy your own experience.

III. Secret Wisdom in the Beatitudes

In the beatitudes Jesus Christ teaches the true values of a real life and not a life of ignorance and self-centeredness. This is written to those who experience the worst because; in the end they always end up becoming the best.

The first is the wisdom of emptiness, when Jesus Christ blesses those who are poor in spirit. The old saying that "Less is more" really does have a lot to do with this blessing. Also it is wisdom that states that the kingdom of heaven is more likely to be discovered by those who are actually poor because, they maybe more humble than the rich and do not take for granted what they have. It also says to maintain a positive view on life especially in the face of great challenges. This is how many "Miracles" happen. If for example, I have a lot of tangible and expensive things, if these things break it cost to maintain them the more you spend time on maintaining the less time you have for enjoying what you are maintaining. So the less you have the more time you have to enjoy it.

The next is the wisdom of sorrow. Jesus says those who mourn will be comforted. This wisdom tells us to live in the present and to not become nostalgic for life is short and precious. However, these losses do not have to be death of loved one. It can be changes in one's life like a loss of a job, relationship, youth, home... etc. When something is gone we realize how important they are or it was and we become grateful for what we have. This can be a powerful secret message to living in the now and to do what makes you truly happy while you still can while you are alive. To know how to overcome the death of a loved one, be comforted in reading my article "Overcoming the death of a Loved One."

The wisdom of humility and humbleness is shown when Jesus blesses the meek. When we realize that we are all interconnected we can change our lives and others. With humility we become more receptive of wisdom and accept its teachings. That is why the arrogant and boastful never learn from there mistakes they lack determination and become so ignorant to the fact they are stubborn. When you deny yourself negative qualities of doing and feeling you invoke suffering and through that suffering you gain wisdom by direct experience.

The Wisdom of Passion is the next blessing Jesus gives out when he blesses those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. Righteousness actually means right thought and action. When you thirst and hunger you seek to fulfill that desire. When you fulfill the desire for righteousness you unify yourself with One True God. When something is outwardly imposed it leads to nothing more than the empty shell. However, when you inwardly desire for it; it has more meaning than anything else in the world to you.

Forgiveness is the next piece of wisdom. Jesus blessed the merciful. However as I had said before God is within us so this can actually translate into "Forgiveness of others leads to forgiveness of our own wrongdoings." Jesus also mention karma in the esoteric translation here that, "what we do to others will be done to us." To show mercy is to show love and compassion and through this we to will receive it in some way or form. For example, if a man wants what is owed to him by another man and gets it through force or intimidation than, the person forced to give to the man could put him in a shameful position and thus returning the injustice done wrong to him.

Pure in heart is another piece of wisdom. Jesus blessed those pure in heart. This wisdom speaks of those who do things with good intentions and those who are selfless when they fulfill those good intentions. It is that fear of a broken heart that must be experienced in order to experience true love and compassion in a selfless manner. When Christ was dying on the cross it was in that climax to do the selfless act of sacrificing himself for the rest of humanity. He was pure leading up to, during and after that event.

Blessed are the peacemakers. The wisdom of peace is a strong piece of wisdom. As I have written all that happens in our lives is internal whether it is good or bad. One must learn to make peace within, in order to overcome all the bad within ourselves and outside ourselves. To make peace within means to overcome selfish desires (such as bad habits, fears, hatreds, grudges... etc.) and to become enlightened, which I would like to say could be one in the same things. If a man overcomes all his fears, than he can show others how to do so.

The next piece of wisdom can be found in struggle. Jesus blesses those who are hated, oppressed and persecuted. Again internally speaking we persecute ourselves everyday, with self-negativity and insecurity. When you understand that those who do these things do so to themselves on an internal level, you could learn to accept yourself, conquer all that is negative about you and keep what you are truly passionate about alive. When you learn to love yourself without vanity, than you learn to get along with others in a non-boastful way.

The wisdom of Zeal is the next thing Jesus talks about when Jesus says "You are the salt of the earth..." In ancient time's salt was a necessity it keep food from going bad it was a preservative. So in a sense Jesus says you are necessary to the earth and you must preserve it. It also speaks of the value of doing your spiritual work in an enjoying manner and not as a chore. So one might translate this into saying do your work with the intention of bring positive results into the world. Your work is your passion your inner desire. So by bringing about the inner desire you bring forth the fruits of that desire into the world and affecting it positively. Jesus' passion was to save humanity either with knowledge and wisdom or in some selfless sacrifice, through his work and words he changed the course of humanity forever.

The final piece of wisdom Christ speaks of is that of Divine Pride. Jesus says you are the light of the world and that the light is put there for all to see. See you are here for all to see you must realize and embody the one who put us here and to apply its potential to its fullest and positive manner. Whatever needs to be done to realize our own true and inner presence must be done! When we do this we uplift ourselves and those around us. So if I do positive things in a selfless manner than I become a giver in the eyes of society. I am there for all to see, this is not to say to be boastful because, we are all physically equal, we are all here for each other to see and to be happy with what they do and just themselves.

IV. A Time and Place for Action and To Overcome

When you read the Bible in a literalist viewpoint, Jesus sounds like a pacifist. He speaks of turning the other cheek which sounds like cowardice. He speaks of not resisting evil, which sounds like submission. Finally, he speaks of going the second mile which sounds like overextending yourself until you breakdown. However, when one reads the sayings stated in Matthew 5: 38-41 one should consider the social situation and traditions back in the day and that everything Christ speaks of in the public is metaphorical and thus, should be thought of more deeply. However it should be known that his tactics do not lay out the basis of a sustained movement, but his ministry as a whole is a model of long-term social struggle that maintains a constant pressure. Mark depicts Jesus' movements as a blitzkrieg. His teaching poses immediate and continuing threats to the authorities. The good he brings is misperceived as evil, his following is overestimated, his militancy is misread as sedition, and his proclamation of the coming Reign of God is mistaken as a manifesto for military revolution.

The first phrase speaks of "Turning the other Cheek." However, if you read the whole phrase it states: "But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also." In order to hit someone with the right cheek you need to either hit with the left hand and in the old days the left side of the body represent "unclean doings" hence why the right hand of the father is holy or hit with the back of your right hand. This would be considered an insulting thing to do back in Jesus' time and even today. So from this you realize that its true meaning actually means to deny the person who is trying to humiliate you there power to do so. The only way to do that is to "turn the other cheek." It is a sarcastic remark and action saying that "Your first time trying to demean me failed and it did not work you want to try again?" or "I deny you with all my heart and strength the power to humiliate me." One could also say in this passage that since they would need to insult you with a symbolic back hand slap let them insult you because, there are bigger things to worry about than being insulted. As you see in various passages Jesus is called names but, he did not care but, he stood strong! This made a statement saying that "You can insult me all you want but, I am still here!"

The next phrase is speaking about "surrendering your cloak." The full phrase states "and if anyone would sue you and take your coat, let him have your cloak as well." This speaks of a lawsuit. In this situation it looks like someone is indebted to someone and cannot repay the debt so the creditor or lender tries to get everything he can out of the person indebt to repay the debt. Again, in this time period of Christ we know that being indebted to someone was a serious social problem. So in effect by what Jesus is saying is that by giving him more than what he wants you will cause him great shame. How, in those days nakedness was taboo and the shame fell on the person viewing the nakedness not the person actually naked so by giving him everything except for your own body you bring him great shame. He encourages being a smart@$$ and bringing shame to someone in a nonviolent way. By doing this you unmasked a system that supposedly serves all to a system the serves only the powerful. Jesus suggests amplifying an injustice to expose it to public scrutiny. This can also be considered putting someone in between a rock and a hard place.

The next phrase talks of "going the second mile." Reading the segment in it entirety reads: "and if any one forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles." Back in the day Jesus spoke of the people under Roman rule carrying the roman soldiers' baggage. It was Roman law that if a solider tells you to lift his baggage you go only a mile. If you went over the mile it had a penalty upon the solider. This was done to keep the army moving but keep the citizens less angry. Jesus did not agree with revolting because a revolt against The Empire would be suicidal and he also did not agree with befriending Rome was good either. In this Jesus tells us that the law is the law but how you respond to it are two different things. Thus, this piece of knowledge makes one have the power of choice back by eliminating predictability and causing discomfort to the oppressor or to "stop him from taking advantage" of you by playing on his fears, in this case punishment. This is the complete polar opposite of the preconceived notion of "letting anyone take advantage" of you.

However, despite these teachings how can a man who taught to love others approve of bringing shame, discomfort and denying someone something? The answer is quite simple and can be founded in that people engaged in oppressive acts may repent if they are made uncomfortable with their actions. However, despite these new teachings it becomes a moral issue to use this wisdom as a form of revenge. Let it also be known that his teachings show that to show someone else how much you care for them you need to shake them around and get their attention. You see in human evolution there are two ways to describe response to unjust violence either fight or flight. Jesus offers the third new alternative called nonviolent resistance. This new alternative encourages the following:

1.
Seize the moral initiative
2.
Find a creative alternative to violence
3.
Assert your own humanity and dignity as a person
4.
Meet force with ridicule or humor
5.
Break the cycle of humiliation
6.
Refuse to submit or to accept the inferior position
7.
Expose the injustice of the system
8.
Take control of the power dynamic
9.
Shame the oppressor into repentance
10.
Stand your ground
11.
Force the Powers into decisions for which they are not prepared
12.
Recognize your own power
13.
Be willing to suffer rather than retaliate
14.
Force the oppressor to see you in a new light
15.
Deprive the oppressor of a situation where force is effective
16.
Be willing to undergo the penalty of breaking unjust laws
17.
Make your enemies live up to their own book of rules
18.
Ridicule is your most potent weapon
19.
A good tactic is one that your people enjoy
20.
A tactic that drags on too long becomes a drag
21.
Keep the pressure on
22.
The threat is usually more terrifying than the thing itself
23.
The major premise for tactics is the development of operations that will maintain a constant pressure on the opposition
24.
If you push a negative hard and deep enough it will break through to its counterside
25.
Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, polarize it

Jesus is not encouraging submission to evil; that would run counter to everything he did and said. He is, rather, warning against responding to evil in kind by letting the oppressor set the terms of our opposition. However, he also is not denying the right to defend yourself, in the moment. After all, if your life is at risk you need to defend yourself and be smart in what you are defending. Perhaps most importantly, he cautions us against being made over into the very evil we oppose by adopting its methods and spirit. He is saying, "Don't react violently against the one who is evil." Or that "Two Wrongs do not make a Right."

Jesus during his sermon also said "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth." There is a third school of thought in regards to this passage. Jesus was not changing the meaning of "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth" but restoring it to the original context. Jesus starts his statement with "you have heard it said" which means that he was clarifying a misconception, as opposed to "it is written" which would be a reference to scripture. The common misconception seems to be that people were using Exodus 21:24-25 (the guidelines for a magistrate to punish convicted offenders) as a justification for personal vengeance. This is where the line is drawn personal vengeance is not accepted and this goes for people who use religious beliefs to do justify there wrong unto people supposedly God does not like. But, we known that God loves all just not the actions one might do. We also know that God says vengeance is mine! Therefore to take vengeance would be to steal something from God.

But what about when Jesus gets mad and takes action when he saw God's temple filled with merchants and businessmen. He goes crazy on everyone doing business in God's house of worship, he starts flipping tables over and chasing people and screaming at people! This goes even against nonviolent resistance. The answer is called Righteous indignation. Righteous means (Right Minded) while Indignation means (anger aroused by something unjust, unworthy, or mean). During Righteous Indignation you need to take action violent or not during a genuine and serious "mistreatment, insult, or malice." Again, it needs to be serious and true, not something that is perceived as true or even a lie but an objective truth, thus encouraging to know more than, what is being told to you; you need to know what is really happening. It needs to be something that does not just affect you it has to affect many. Only than can one act in a more physical way.

V. Wisdom from Sermon on the Plain

To the Jewish priest and scholars the Sermon on the Plain was defying all that they the Priest and Scholars said was God and Rules of life. One can compare this in today's more modern world to The Communist Manifesto of Karl Marx, Mien Kampf by Hitler or even the Declaration of Independence. These went again the norms of society in their time.

In the Greek version of the Bible "Agape" is used several times to denote love. This love however, has three other forms of love and each love represents a different meaning. Agape is considered the word altruism in today's language. Altruism as we know is the selfless concern for the welfare of others. This is the love that we know of in the Bible when Jesus selflessly sacrifices his life for others.

The saying "Judge Not Lest Ye Be Judged" is actually a metaphorical saying that we are all imperfect and it is absolutely pointless to try and judge someone especially, when you have an even bigger issue than the one you're judging. Thus, it is an attack on hypocrisy and contradiction. And as we know Jesus condemns both saying that it is only meant for the greedy and selfish to be hypocrites and contradict themselves.

When Christ says to "Love Our Enemies" it is metaphorical and again sometimes to show love to your enemies is to make them uncomfortable with the actions they do to you. This puts the power in your hands even when they think it is in their. Remember God is Just, if we justify our paybacks than God will give us our owed payback to! Thus this is symbolizing Karma. So when you bless your enemy even try to become friends with him you become a peacemaker and you catch the enemy off guard. This love does something good for them. Love for your enemy can be attributed to a tough love such as teaching a lesson without doing so vengefully. By making them come to terms with what they did they will seek forgiveness and even friendship from you.

Imitating Christ is the next thing in the sermon. When looking for someone to teach you, would you want someone who is unaware or would you want someone that is determined and can see? Would you want a hypocrite or someone who follows through with a guideline to live and is disciplined to that guideline? You would of course pick the Determined, Aware and Guided individual who is an imitation of Christ to guide you through life.

Another wise saying is when Jesus talks about the fruits of a tree and compares it to an individual. If you think of a tree it has its fruit or leaves, trunk and roots. If the roots are bad than the tree turns and looks bad and decomposed. However, if the roots are strong and healthy than the rest of the tree follows suit! When you are known to a have good fruit you do good things and have good in you which are your roots these roots are your true being and thus are truly good, your roots are strong and healthy when you are in touched with that true and inner being. If the fruit is bad the roots are to, and your true self is experiencing much "bad" in life and thus produces bad things and experiences.

Jesus speaks of conformity being bad when people call him "Lord" and he replies by saying "Why do you call me lord and do not do the things I say?" Thus, it is an empty shell and a word without a purpose. This proves that individuality and freethinking is paramount and that one should not conform or define oneself to what society calls you. By doing that you make yourself changeable and influenced by those around you. In effect this sentence says "Do not submit to peer pressure." And "Do not let people effect you. Because, people can truly admire you when you do not fall to the will of others and when you are unique."

VI. Wisdom from Revelations Concerning the Seven Churches

When Jesus talks about Ephesus which was represent as the tree of life which is being appreciated for its deeds, effort and remaining constant to the purpose. Thus one can say that is what the tree of life is that when you do good works and show effort in those works you remain constant to the purpose of God (The true self). However, the church symbolized has forsaken its first love. This love can be attributed to that of a passion and tells us to not do the things that come to mind second but do the primary thing basically, have priority over the things you do. If you do not it looks bad and, are not worthy of, being seen for all to see. When you overcome your obstacles, you can enjoy the fruits of your labor.

The church of Smyrna is represented as the crown of life. Jesus acknowledges that they are poor and suffering. Yet through this poor and suffering they are rich with wisdom of experience. It is important to be loyal to what you believe in. Even when in face of destruction, when that happens you obtain the reward for your suffering and will not be destroyed by the second death (spiritual).

The church of Pergamos is represented as hidden mana or hidden life energy. Even where ultimate evil resides there still is good. However, even where that good resides there are still evil concepts. Get rid of these evil concepts fighting wickedness by performing miracles however as we know miracles are maintaining positive view on life especially in the face of great challenges. When you do that you will be given some of that hidden life energy. You will also get a new slate on life, everything will be washed away.

The Church of Thyatira is represented as the sacrifice of Labor or Hard Work. Hard work is being acknowledged for what good it can do the passion and loyalty it brings to the individuals and the fact it brings constant purpose to people, in fact it can inspire others to be hard workers. However, it should be advised that through this hard work it can gain the attention and mislead people to betraying there passion (selling out) and it is causing people to externalize themselves. However, these people will suffer and that the true self will in fact destroy the ego self and you will know that the true self is in your hear and mind. So this could be saying people will suffer from the guilt of selling out and becoming increasingly materialistic. You should enjoy and be grateful for what you already have and the awakening of the true self in us all. When you overcome these negatives you will rule over the egotistical desires and will smash these desires to pieces. He will receive the morning star known as The Virgin Mary who is known as God bearer. God is within us in the true self therefore, one will bear the Christ consciousness.

The Church of Sardis is represented to as the Prince of Joy. Joy is represent as being the source of something superior in the human sense however, it is ordinary to Christ. Become aware of this and overcome your weaknesses in you when you do than you experience the inner self, if you do not you will fall to shamefulness. However, if you do than, you will recognize the higher self.

The Church of Philadelphia is represented as Brotherly love. Through this love Christ has opened a door to what lies beyond and everyone will know and what everyone knows cannot be unknown. Despite how frail love is it is still loyal to the higher self. The lower; egotistical self will not be able to resist love. When that love is used in an important moment it will overcome and will continue to have a crucial part in the body of the inner self. No one will ever want to deny it. Love will connect the higher consciousness and inner self. Therefore, by practicing love one can become more conscious of there life and be happier.
Finally, the Church of Laodicea is represented as the Just People or People who are Honorable and fair in their dealings and actions. It is important to make a decision because, be indecisive is so confusing and difficult. You can "say you are rich" and "do not need a thing" however, you are really very low and only lying yourself. It is important to value things of higher understanding such as wisdom and love. Those, whom the Christ conscious loves, will be criticized and disciplined. If anyone wants the higher self to be there the high self will be there for them and they will be there for me. If you overcome you will have the right to rule over all of creation as an equal to Christ at his side.

VII. The Rejection of Certain Ideologies

Although Christ talks about Love and Self-Control there are ideologies out there that must be addressed as a bad influence on the world, it is important to reject the concept and not those who follow the concept. Just like Jesus taught about loving the Sinner and not the Sin. The same goes with Loving the person who follows the way of thought and not the thought itself. Three such influences is that of the concept of Organized Religion, Materialism and Literalism. These two thoughts while extreme in difference both cause much ignorance and through that ignorance allows evil into the world.

The first is the concept of organized religion. Organized religion although may seem great as the primary way to practice spirituality is riddled with dogma's and doctrine. This dogmatics of organized religion allows those who are powerful to dictate your will and your experience if you let them. This creates a veil of hatred and ignorance because; they define who is bad and who is good. Through this those who dictate doctrine and dogma can control society, politics and even the economics of the world. They deny free will and independent experience of the spiritual and life in the physical. They demand that they be followed otherwise you are deemed a subvertor and heretic of their faith. When in fact heresy by definition means, to not be "faithful" (loyal) to there word and dogmas.

The next concept worthy for rejection is that of Materialism. Materialism causes consumerism and the capitalist society we live in today. When we want and need more we fill ourselves up with things that have no meaning. When these things are at risk for not be available or become expensive it creates conflict and scarcity. When everything you ever wanted is taken away or becomes unavailable you no longer feel comfortable and begin to look elsewhere and this can create even more conflict. It becomes a conflict in interest. As I have written in my article "Possessions and Desires=NO FREEDOM" discussing how these possessions and desires cause much ignorance because you think you can control them but you cannot, they control you however and people are so ignorant to this fact.

Here is such an example; a guy has a big flat screen TV. This TV however, does not function and mad that he spent much money for it now needs to return it because, it does not work. Now he needs to wait and this get's him even madder because, in our instantly gratifying capitalist and materialist society he becomes impatient and stressed out over the issue. Who or what made him act this way? Was it his possessions or was it himself? The answer was his possessions and he feels so strongly that he cannot live peacefully until this issue is resolved. This is exactly what should be rejected, this idea of thought. Man can live peacefully whether or not his possessive issues are resolved or not. So as long as he has a place to live, something to wear and eat than he should be happy already.

The final concept is that of literalism. How is it that a man who said it himself that he is speaking in parables be taken literally? How is that if the Word of God was God be taken literally also if me speaks in parables? The answer is you cannot take anything written in the Bible word for word. Even those direct interpretations have an underlying factor. The literalist are both the people who use the Bible to dictate dogma and also for the materialist to question the beliefs of the masses of blind and ignorant followers. This is why we had witch hunts, inquisition and wars fought over beliefs. This is why today there is skepticism, rational thought and agnosticism and atheism in the world today! Literalist thought in fact caused materialism and organized religion. The only way to combat against this is to understand that there is always an underlying cause with everything that happens in the world today. This encourages seeking the truth and being skeptical but not to the point of materialism.

Again I would like to clarify that Gnosticism is not what is written here because, it is based on the wisdom and experience of the Gnostic follower. However, to understand my view as either as an introduction or a way to set your life of values and standards, you are welcomed to do just that. In fact, if it is so successful or makes so much sense than you should tell others you truly believe are worthy to have this knowledge. Gnosticism is a world within a world and has many esoteric and secret teachings. I will not begin to cover them because, they are for you to discover. After all, nothing is handed out on a silver platter to anyone it is up to you to make that silver platter and put what you want on it.

Any rejections I have considered to be a bad influence may not be so bad to other Gnostic followers. However, most do agree with these three views. I stress the importance of taking away the veil of ignorance because, when you use this you must desire to know more and experience more than the mundane sleeping life has to offer. My motto is that "Ignorance is the Root of All Evil. One should not agree with something because, someone who is 'an expert' told you so. You apply it to your life see if it works. After all, Gnosticism is an individualized path to freedom and enlightenment."