The Mandaean Babylonian Origin Of Gnostic Thoughts

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Gnosticism constitutes a system of religious movements that intersect in a set of philosophical tenets, most prominently the belief in the existence of a divine savior who undertakes the guidance of souls along their path of ascent toward the higher realms. Gnostic traditions encompass Mandaeism, early Christian sects, Manichaeism, as well as some Jewish movements recently brought to light. While a number of Orientalists have posited that Gnosticism emerged after Christianity, a deeper examination of Gnostic thought reveals its roots extending to the ancient Mesopotamian heritage, particularly Sumerian religion and its derivatives among the Babylonians and Assyrians, culminating in its continuity within Mandaean philosophy, which represents a direct extension of that legacy. According to Orientalists, Gnostic religions are characterized by several features, including the belief in two divine powers governing the cosmos, faith in Jesus Christ as a savior, alongside the adoption of ascetic patterns and rigorous rituals associated with self denial such as abstinence from marriage and procreation, as well as forms of liberation in relationships outside the marital framework. This study