Talk:Gnosticism

Hidden knowledge

"This is because these religions believe that there is a special, hidden knowledge that only a few people may have."

Some Gnostic groups may have presented this as such, but most of the groups that are active today state that everyone has access to this knowledge. However, it requires looking within and knowing the self, and our culture currently encourages us to keep our attention focused outside ourselves (appearances, outward demonstrations of success, pursuit of material items and gadgets, etc) - in other words; it's not who you really are that counts in today's world, it's all about The Image.

Some groups still do pass on what they have learned via Mystery Schools and secret societies, the admission process is designed to separate those who are attracted to the mystique and those who are ready to begin the Great Work. In other words, if you are getting involved for self-serving reasons, there is a risk that you would use the things you learn for self-serving purposes. That is why the knowledge is and has been protected and only revealed to those who earn it.