What does being Gnostic mean to you?
352646
The term "gnostic" derives from "gnosis," which means "knowledge" in Greek. The Gnostics believed that they were privy to a secret knowledge about the divine, hence the name. \n\nThere are numerous references to the Gnostics in second century proto-orthodox literature. Most of what we know about them is from the polemic thrown at them by the early Church Fathers. They are alluded to in the Bible in the pastorals (spurious Paulines of 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus), for example 1 Tm 1:4 and 1 Tm 6:20, and possibly the entirety of Jude. Ignatius of Antioch writes against them as well as Docetism, a doctrine closely related to Gnosticism that stated that Christ was pure spirit and had only a phantom body. Second Clement is a document aimed at refuting early second century Gnosticism. Marcion was the most famous of the Gnostics, and he established a "canon" of the Pauline epistles (minus the pastorals) and a "mutilated" Luke (presumably considered so because it lacked proof-texts such as Lk 22:43-44). Justin Martyr mentioned him c. 150 CE, and Irenaeus and Tertullian wrote against him extensively in the late second century. \n\nBesides Marcion, other important Gnostics were Basilides and Valentinus. Some Gnostic documents are the Gospel of Truth, the Letter to Rheginus, Treatise on the Three Natures, Apocalypse of Adam, the Gospel of Matthias, Gospel of Philip, Acts of Peter, and Acts of Thomas. Although the Gnostics were prolific writers, most of their works have been burnt or lost in favor of proto-orthodox writings (and known only through patristic references). \n\nSome scholars have theorized that Gnosticism has its roots in pre-Christian religions, instead of being merely an offshoot of Christianity.
89036
dear ash,\n\nIf you say that you believe in a supreme being then technically you are not an atheist.\n\nTo be an Atheist means that one do not believe in the idea of a supreme being (God); hence, the word A-theist (A="without" theist="Theos" = "God")\n\nIf you say that you are not sure of God's existence, but still open with the idea of the supreme being then you are an Agnostic.\n\nIf you believe in God, then you are a "Theist"
1033610
Gnosticism agrees with the teachings of just about every religion in the world.  Orthodox Christianity is the only one with that dying for sins nonsense.  I don't know, in my opinion the truth is within us, not within a book, if it is in us all, it would be universal.  The actual words of Jesus are universal.  All that other nonsense came from Paul and is not.
768271
Non religious to Christianity: A friend took me to church with her and I liked it for a time.\n\nChristianity to Agnostic: People of the church were disappointing.  They judged a lot more than "enlightened".  I was considered a trouble maker for asking questions.  I found that any place that tries to hide answers has a reason to do so, and that's never really a good thing when they're taking your money.\n\nAgnostic to Atheism:  Over time, I just felt that the concept of God was not logical and not for me.  I prayed so hard for many weeks for him to allow me to believe in him.  I was miserable for a time after realize he didn't exist, but I began living for myself and being truthful to myself and I just became happier than I ever have been.\n\nThis entire process was over the course of ten years.
461642
Agnostic is not a religion.\n\nAgnostic means: One who believes that it is impossible to know whether there is a God. \nOne who is skeptical about the existence of God but does not profess true atheism. \nOne who is doubtful or noncommittal about something.
878077
She may well be a Gnostic and you may, because you follow her and believe as she does, be one as well. But do NOT call her Christian! Gnosticism is a heresy, pronounced such 1700 years ago. That has not changed. It is a system of beliefs based on an inability to accept that there ARE more things in Heaven and on Earth than a human being knows or can know. It seeks to bolster pride at the expense of truth.\n\nBut you go her way, if you've a mind to. Eventually, you'll learn. Hope it won't be too late. Good luck.
290226
Theist comes from the greek word theos meaning 'God' and Gnostic comes from the greek word gnosis,which means knowledge.An 'a' in front of the word means 'without', so an atheist is without god and an agnostic is without knowledge (of God).
1097128
Gnostic books contradict the diety of God. \nGnostic books are not inspired by the Holy Spirit of God.
546777
I don't believe my religion is the only one.  I believe that all true paths lead back to the same thing.  God can be called by any name and religion is pretty much cultural traditions to get back to him/her.\n\nI am a Christian Gnostic.
181699
hmmm. interesting question. \n\nmaybe, i guess i am afraid of the gods that dont exist. i am afraid of his followers stoning me to death for not believing in him. \n\nbut, in the meantime, while i am not being persecuted, but only prejudiced, i am not afraid. i am only angry, and my free voice allows me to fight back.
209474
Means...\nIt's someone who believes that it is impossible to know whether there is a God. He/she doesn't say there IS no god. But that you can't prove it here. Faithless.
686916
Every other answer so far is wrong.  To answer this question you have to know the source:\n\nThe term 'agnostic' was coined by Thomas Huxley and it refers quite simply to a person who holds the view that it is wrong to assert the truth of a proposition without logically satisfactory evidence. \n\nSo, an agnostic would say that it's wrong to say "God exists" or "No gods exist" without the argument or evidence to back it up.  Moreover, the agnostic would say that it's immoral for a person to tell someone else that they *ought* to believe in the existence of a god or gods without providing logically satisfactory evidence.\n\nA 'theist' is defined as someone who believes in the existence of a god or gods, so an atheist is anyone who is not a theist.\n\nNote that you can be agnostic and also an atheist, or agnostic and a theist, or not agnostic and an atheist, or not agnostic and a theist.\n\nHope this helps...  :-)
503041
"Think about it, you have to acknowledge that there is a god (higher power) for you not to believe in, right? In that case, wouldn't you be agnostic?"\nTHAT MAKES NO SENSE, SHOULD I SAY: I DON'T BELIEVE THAT GOD EXISTS, IS THAT BETTER?
422745
Being a devote Christian myself, this source comes from a friend of mine.  I believe this is along the lines of what you are looking for and if not, it is something that may interest you.  My friend was explaining the Gnostic beliefs/ideas to me and let me this web address (see sources)
475382
There is a book called The Gnostic Bible, edited by Willis Barnstone and Marvin Meyer.  Also look at books by Elaine Pagels, she had done a lot of research on Gnosticism, and her books are VERY readable.  Her book Beyond Belief would be a good place to start.\n\nIf you wouldn't mind, take a minute to answer my question on Gnosticism here:\nhttp://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AsRYRzyKVbpNmHhm3Caj3qvsy6IX?qid=1006041910948
361055
The term derives from two Greek words  "a" and "gnosis" which translate as "the opposite/against/un-/non-" and "to know" respectively.\n\nGnostics in the bible were ones who sought, not to know science) but to know as much as they could about God.\n\nLiterally then, an a-gnostic is one who, unlike an a-theist (who is against God), is one who wishes not to know anything about God.  However, in popular definition an agnostic who does not know what to believe about God.
994867
An agnostic is a person who feels that God's existence can neither be proved nor disproved.  An atheist is a person who does not believe in a higher power at all.