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Quick takeaways
- Gnostic ideologies like Marxism infiltrate societies by posing as science, economics, and politics.
- Gnosticism functions as a parasitic force, replacing the true meanings of faith and reason with its distorted definitions.
- Gnostic thinking, as seen in ideologies like communism and fascism, pose threats to society and individual freedom.
- The dangers of Gnostic thinking highlight the importance of vigilance and resistance against its negative implications.
- Reason and faith play vital roles in safeguarding individual liberties and countering Gnostic ideologies.
Deep dives
The Disposition of Faith
Faith is characterized by humility and trust in something greater than oneself, whether it be God or a concept beyond understanding. It is the confidence in what is hoped for and assurance about what is not seen. Faith is a disposition that serves and seeks to honor a higher purpose.
The Disposition of Reason
Reason is the domain of intellectual inquiry and logical thinking. It is the ability to critically evaluate information and make rational decisions. Reason aligns with faith and works together to seek truth and understanding. It values open-mindedness, curiosity, and freedom of thought.
The Disposition of Gnosis
Gnosis represents a disposition that seeks to transform the world according to its own vision. It exudes confidence in its ability to create and change reality. Gnosis places man at the center of creation, asserting the power to shape and control the world according to its own desires. It is arrogant in its certainty and lacks humility.
The Parasitic Nature of Gnosis
Gnosis functions as a parasitic force, mimicking faith and reason while replacing their true meanings and intentions. It infiltrates language and concepts, distorting their definitions to serve its own agenda. Gnosis thrives by exploiting weakness and vulnerability, creating a false sense of knowledge and control. Its goal is to transform and dominate, overriding the genuine expressions of faith and reason.
The Dangers of Gnostic Thinking
Gnostic thinking, as seen in ideologies like communism and fascism, poses a threat to society and individual freedom. Gnostics believe that they alone deserve political authority and possess special knowledge or insight. This belief often leads to a tyranny and an oppressive system. Gnostics reject the principles of liberalism and question the idea that no one truly deserves political authority. They blame scapegoat classes and engage in discriminatory practices. Additionally, they tend to use the dialectic and adopt the methods of their rivals to achieve their goals. These dangers highlight the need to be vigilant against Gnostic thinking and its negative implications.
The Arrogance of Reactionaries
Reactionaries, another group influenced by Gnostic thinking, assert their entitlement to political authority and often prioritize oppressive actions. They believe in a hierarchical structure of society, where certain individuals or groups deemed superior should rule. This belief overlooks the principles of liberalism and the idea that political authority must be justified. Reactionaries mistakenly view oppression as the key to success and tend to blame scapegoat classes for societal problems. These misguided beliefs and actions contribute to the rise of authoritarianism and undermine individual freedoms.
The Importance of Reason and Faith in Preserving Freedom
Reason and faith play vital roles in maintaining individual liberties and resisting Gnostic ideologies. They offer checks and balances to prevent the consolidation of power and the abuse of authority. Reason encourages humility and acknowledges that no one possesses absolute knowledge or deserves exclusive political authority. Faith, when combined with reason, fosters the recognition of individual rights and the importance of freedom of belief and expression. Embracing the principles of liberalism, which uphold reason and faith while prioritizing individual liberties, is crucial for safeguarding a just, inclusive, and free society.
Marx's Views on Society and Class Struggle
Marx sees the bourgeois class as a false demonic God, controlling the means of production and creating a prison for the proletariat. He believes in a materialist approach where the socialists seize the means of production to create a perfect world and liberate individuals from the prison of private property. Marx's concept of society's structure, influenced by Plato's Republic pyramid, suggests flipping it over with the proletariat on top instead of philosopher kings. Marxism draws parallels to the Gnostic creation myth, where those with gnosis or rational socialists understand man's nature as a species being, while those without gnosis act irrationally and succumb to their animalistic desires.
The Influence of Hermeticism and Gnosticism on Marx
Marx's dialectical materialism, a materialist and Gnostic version of Hegel's dialectic, incorporates elements from the Corpus Hermeticum. He draws inspiration from the Hermetic idea of gnosis, where those with rational understanding perceive the world differently and attain a divine mind. Marx's socialists, who possess gnosis, are seen as superior to those without it, who are ruled by base desires. The continuous line of influence from the Hermeticum to Marx's work highlights the presence of Gnostic and hermetic concepts in Marx's thought. This hermetic influence can also be seen in the use of esoteric and secretive ideologies by various groups throughout history, aligning with the Gnostic drive for secret knowledge.
The Secret Religions of the West, Session 2 of 3
In his first talk at the Mere Simulacrity conference in Phoenix, Arizona, in December 2022, James Lindsay introduced the idea that there is a long, running current of "Secret Religions" in the West. These are the Modern and Postmodern manifestations of the Esoteric Religions like Gnosticism and Hermeticism as they developed through what we might consider the Middle Age's "New Age" period, famously codified by G.W.F. Hegel. In the second lecture in his "Secret Religions of the West" series, Lindsay explains that these "philosophies," including Marxism, are actually mystical Esoteric cult religions posing as science, economics, and politics, and that their success in infiltrating our religions, societies, and institutions is down to their intrinsically parasitical nature. They mimic and illegitimately claim the language and structure of the things they pretend to be and bring destruction and madness into the void they create. Join him to understand not only this but how the "handshaking" balance between Reason and Faith is the only way to stop Gnosis.
Session 1: https://newdiscourses.com/2023/04/the-negation-of-the-real/
Session 3: https://newdiscourses.com/2023/05/as-below-so-above/
Get James Lindsay's new book, The Marxification of Education: https://amzn.to/3RYZ0tY
Support New Discourses: https://newdiscourses.com/support
Follow New Discourses on other platforms: https://newdiscourses.com/subscribe
Follow James Lindsay: https://linktr.ee/conceptualjames
© 2023 Sovereign Nations. All rights reserved. Used with permission: https://sovereignnations.com. #NewDiscourses #JamesLindsay #gnosticism
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