Religion
In reply to the discussion: If God is Everywhere. Why Didn't His Word Spread Without Missionaries? [View all]Midnight Writer
(22,932 posts)son of Sophia. He is known for his petty jealousy and atrocious tantrums. For example, he forbid Adam and Eve from obtaining knowledge, and punished them when they achieved consciousness. In this example, the snake is the "good guy" who helped man evolve with knowledge.
His jealousy is evident in the Ten Commandments, as he demands no other gods, no images of His creations, no misuse of His name. When Mankind does not sufficiently honor Him, he smites them with horrific disasters, even wiping out nearly everyone with The Flood because they strayed from His Word.
When Sophia learns of her son's Creation, she looks and is shocked that he created a cruel world where every creature has to kill and consume others to survive, and He torments the living and demands total fealty. So she steps in and supplants him with her love and compassion, sending us Jesus to teach us a new way.
To the Gnostics, salvation comes to each of us from within, we are judged by our actions, not our faith, and doctrine and ritual are just window dressing not essential to leading a Holy life. If you disagree with or don't believe a Gnostic Doctrine, that is fine, as you are the one responsible for your own salvation, and you grow your virtue from within.