Modern Gnosticism

There is in the Western religious world, a school of thought called the Course in Miracles (CiM). This teaching stresses inner peace and comfort, to the disdain of outer events and circumstances. This religious philosophy has various variations, such as for example, Christian Science.

Versions of this inner mysticism have arisen in other cultures and religions. The main characteristics are the seeking of inner peace to the exclusion of external circumstances, which are de-emphasized. It is the spiritualizing of everything. It is not so much anti-science but the going beyond science by neglecting the reality of the material world in seeking to fathom the deeper meaning of existence. However, this trend of thought can lead to religious fantasy. It can lead into an uncertain future. Neglecting clear warnings about the degradation of the physical world is the ultimate flaw of extreme inner mysticism.

See below some of my thoughts on this recurring religious tendency.

A Course in Miracles; A modern Gnosticism

In the first centuries of Christianity there was an alternative school of thought called Gnosticism. It was bitterly opposed by orthodox Christianity and its writings were largely destroyed. Until recently we only knew of this movement by the writings of early church leaders such as Tertullian, who wrote critiques of Gnosticism. The findings of gnostic documents at Hag Hammadi, Egypt in 1945 have given us more information about the Gnostics.

The Course in Miracles (CiM) shares major beliefs with that of the first century Gnostics, such as:

1. There is a distinct dualism at work. Gnosticism is all about knowledge. By having correct knowledge, one achieves a type of salvation. This salvation is deliverance from undue emphasis on the material world and the body. By contrast original Judaism, from which Christianity developed, had a greater emphasis on the union of body and mind/spirit. This tendency continued in Christianity. Therefore, orthodox Christianity stressed the physical resurrection of Christ. For the Gnostics, a spiritual resurrection was emphasized.
2. In Gnosticism and in CiM there is an emphasis of inner peace, together with a disdain of outside events and influences. A section of the CiM exhorts one to “seek not outside of yourself” (p.573). In this context science and environmental concerns will be discredited.
3. The CiM does speak of justice. It says that justice must be based in love, or else it will descend into vengeance. However, the details of this justice remain vague.
4. No sacrifices are needed. It is said in CiM that “sacrifice cannot be asked of you”. In fact, in the search for inner peace, correct knowledge seems to suffice. In the CiM a teaching is “I will do nothing” (p.362). Correct knowledge will do.

This philosophy can lead to endless mind games and religious fantasy. So earnestly are its adherents seeking inner comfort that they can easily walk into an environmental collapse, as they ignore the warnings of the material world.

Ref. “ A Course in Miracles”, by the Foundation for Inner Peace