Jonsey3333

So... why does the term "Agnostic" have so little to do with the term "Gnostic"? One would think they would be opposites.

-Mike

Sojourner553

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Jonsey3333:
So... why does the term "Agnostic" have so little to do with the term "Gnostic"? One would think they would be opposites.
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The point was that a religious group could (and did) interpret the Bible as being based on the dictates of a Devil instead of a good God.

Agnostics and atheists who doubt the existance of God, would have no basis for believing in the existence of a Devil.

I remember the exchange between an atheist and a Jehovah's Witness who knocked on his door.

"Let me tell you about..."
"I don't believe in God" was his reply.
"Then the devil is..."
"I don't believe in the devil."
"Then you are going to hell"
"I don't believe in hell"

The missionary had to leave empty handed.

Sojourner

Ierrellus

dear Soujourner,

Thanks for your inclusion of the gnostics in this discussion. Such open-minded persons as Marcion and Valentinus were readily disputed by the early church fathers, most of whom preferred an unloving (univerally) God to one who proclaimed "his" creations Good.

Ierrellus

Jonsey3333

I'm going to have to remember that strategy for future use!

-Mike