Gnosticism is not a separate religion, but I include it here because many of the Middle Eastern faiths already described incorporated the ideas of Gnosticism.
Gnostic ideas developed in the second century AD as theologians began to form and question the concept of God. The basic idea consists of a dualism: God Himself is pure and completely above the world, while the world itself is evil. The corollary of the system is that true knowledge comes to the individual through a secret process that is known only to a select group.
Neoplatonism, emerging in the same time frame, contributed elements to the system with its idea of emanations or emissions flowing out from a singular being. The linkage with Gnosticism is that, for salvation, one must be aware or made aware of this knowledge.
Many texts of Gnosticism arose in the first few centuries after Christ. In general, they expressed the idea that there were important concepts and even facts that were not revealed in the Bible. In order for the individual to be sufficiently informed, this information was needed. Notable among these were the Nag Hammadi gospels, found buried near a settlement in Upper Egypt. Like many Gnostic documents, their authenticity has been questioned.
Gnosticism is considered heretical to Christianity. Its idea that knowledge itself is the key to one’s salvation is in direct contrast to the Christian doctrine of salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus.
