I was reading a book on heresies and heretics (from the view of the pre-Reformation Catholic Church) and it had a very intriguing entry on Manichaeism.
My question is: is there any religion, religious group, or philosophy alive today that is a descendant of Manichaeism or that attempts to incorporate its tenets, beliefs, and practices? (I suppose one reason why many moderns are interested in dualism rather than Manichaeism specifically is because of Manichaeism’s focus on Mani as a prophet- or savior-type person, which most modern people try to shy away from: they prefer religions and movements that exalt the individual rather than relying on one figure a la Christianity/Islam, etc.) Or did suppression actually make it go the way of the dinosaurs?
While Manichaen influence can perhaps be felt down through the ages ( and it remains a matter of some debate whether groups like the medieval Bogomils were actually influenced by Manichaen ideas or not ), the specific religion as promulgated by Mani was been dead for many centuries, possibly even a millenia ( or more in the west ).
That is what is commonly believed to be true, yet I became informed that this is not completely correct.
The problem seems to be that the remaining few who still follow the religion need to cover themselves with secrecy because of fear of reprisals and - in addition - destruction of still existing ancient scriptures and documents.
I am frequently in contact with one of world’s leading specialists on Manicheism, who told me about the existence of one remotely located community where people still adhere to this religion. This community also has ancient scriptures that are not available anymore elswhere.
Yet as it was explained to me it is obvious that they can not be approached without bringing them in danger. Hence I can not blame my friend for not wanting to become become specific on their location (I know in which nation). I have no reason at all not to believe someone who is famous worldwide for studies and publications and who I know personally well enough to know that telling fantasy stories, and especially on Manicheism, is out of the question.
If it was my studyfield I think I would slowly go crazy as the years go by in which I know that what I lack in my texts (and what everybody considers to be lost) is out there, to think about the sad conditions in which these invaluable manuscripts are stored, and that there is no way to approach them without putting people’s lives at risk. My friend however is quite a few years older then I am and seems to survive this frustration fairly good
Salaam. A
Are you sure your friend isn’t talking about the Yezidis? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yezidis Or the Mandaeans? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandaeans Those are two minority sects in the Middle East which survive from ancient times (the Mandaeans, from the time of John the Baptist, whom they revere as a true prophet, rejecting Jesus as a false prophet), and their doctrines do have some Gnostic, if not Manichaean, elements. And the Yezidis (often called “devil-worshippers” by their Muslim neighbors) are reputed to have some scriptures they are forbidden to show to outsiders. But everybody knows the Yezidis and the Mandaeans exist, and who they are and where they live.
Which already answers your question if the mentioning in my post of people who follow the teachings of Mani (= Manicheism) and guard ancient manuscripts with the scriptures of their religion, did not explain it sufficiently. (They are no located in the ME).
No disrespect intended, but I simply inferred that when you said they woud be “in danger” if their existence were known. In some countries of the ME, it is dangerous to practice a minority religion openly – just ask the Baha’is in Iran. But it is not dangerous in practically any other region of the world. It’s dangerous to be a Falun Gong in China but that’s more a political than a religious persecution (China having a long history of religious movements that evolved into political revolutions, as the government knows). Outside the ME, even Islamic nations tolerate religious minorities most of the time – just ask the Hindus in Indonesia.
I don’t see how Manichaeans’ existence would be a threat in a place other than the Middle East. I mean, even Qadianis exist in Pakistan, even though outlawed and considered non-Muslim. Plus, if they existed, someone would have discovered it by now. Even Druze and Yezidis have their rituals, customs, and texts studied.
I always feel bad when I find out an ancient religion has become extinct. Variety in current religions is such a wonderful, beautiful, exhilirating thing; and, the older the religion, the more intriguing it is.
My fear now is the survival of Zoroastrianism and, from what a Jewish professor informed us about Jewish population trends, Judaism. I hope no one in the future has to ask if there is a manifestation of Zoroastrianism or Judaism current in the world.
Really? But Judaism has millions of adherents around the world, who aren’t about to lose their religion - surely they seem to be doing pretty well? What was it that the professor told you?
WeRSauron was addressing demographic trends in Judaism. There is great concern among at least some portions of the US Jewish community about the decline in Jewish birthrates in the US and, most particularly, about the effects of intermarriage. From what I’ve been told, the percentage of grandchildren of intermarrieds who self-identify as Jews, much less practice the religion, is only around 10%.
I don’t know anything about demographic trends in Israel or in other nations’ Jewish populations, and I don’t know if the US community’s concerns are real or alarmism, but yeah, the concern exists.
