Mandaeanism

Mandaeanism

Ancient Middle Eastern Gnostic sect surviving in Iraq and southwestern Iran. Like other dualistic systems, it stresses salvation of the soul through esoteric knowledge, or gnosis, of its divine origin. (Its name derives from mandayya, “having knowledge.”) In its cosmology, evil Archons obstruct the soul's ascent through the heavenly spheres to reunion with the supreme deity. Unlike many Gnostic systems, Mandaeanism supports marriage and forbids sexual license. It is also characterized by elaborate cultic rituals, particularly for baptism. Mandaeans view Jesus as a false messiah but revere John the Baptist, whose life is chronicled in their sacred writings. See also dualism, Gnosticism.

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Mandaeanism 

a religion that arose at the beginning of the common era in Mesopotamia.

Mandaeanism combines elements of Christianity, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, and the religion of ancient Babylon. The principal doctrine of Mandaeanism deals with the opposition between the kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness. According to Mandaeanism, the power of light, Manda-d-Hiia (hence the name of the religion), is the personification of the knowledge of life. Mandaeans revere John the Baptist as a prophet, but consider Christ, Abraham, and Moses false prophets. The religion was widespread in the first century A.D., but later many communities disbanded; some became Manichaeans. A small number of Mandaeans live in Iran and Iraq.