Mandaeanism

[halconero]

I decided to give myself a break this upcoming semester from the medical and biological aspects of anthropology and am taking an anthropology of

religion course. In prepping for it I was reading through the course material and came across a book (in PDF form) by E.S. Drower.

It covers the rituals and beliefs of the Mandaeans, a gnostic group still active today in Iraq.

There are many differences (John the Baptist held in greater esteem than Christ, who is seen as a false Messiah), more than there are similarities. Those similarities that do exist are quite significant though.

I'll list a few practices of theirs that might strike some chords:

- Baptism and other ceremonies is followed by the partaking of ritual bread and water.

- Baptism by proxy on behalf of the deceased is performed to aid them in the learning in the spiritual realm

- A Celestial Father and Mother had a hand in creation.

- The existence of a Secret, Celestial Adam alongside the Earthly Adam. The earthly Adam was baptized by Deity, given a new title.

- Initiates into the priesthood are washed, and received into it by a clasp of the hand from the priest. Their washing serves as a sign of the clasp.

- The higher mysteries are communicated through dramas depicting creation, Adam and the passage into the next world

- Ceremonial clothing figurative of Adam as a King-Priest in the spiritual realm is worn as part of initiation into the mysteries, as well as being worn by the deceased.

I'd like to emphasize that the differences appear to be just as significant as are the similarities. Still, any Latter-day Saint would find what is written by E.S. Drower have a certain familiarity to it.

Here is the PDF:

http://khazarzar.skeptik.net/books/mandaean/adam.pdf

[JamesBYoung]

Co-masonry, which emphasizes the equality and duality of sex (male and female), shadows much of what you have posted, as well.

[EllenMaksoud]

I decided to give myself a break this upcoming semester from the medical and biological aspects of anthropology and am taking an anthropology of

religion course. In prepping for it I was reading through the course material and came across a book (in PDF form) by E.S. Drower.

It covers the rituals and beliefs of the Mandaeans, a gnostic group still active today in Iraq.

There are many differences (John the Baptist held in greater esteem than Christ, who is seen as a false Messiah), more than there are similarities. Those similarities that do exist are quite significant though.

I'll list a few practices of theirs that might strike some chords:

- Baptism and other ceremonies is followed by the partaking of ritual bread and water.

- Baptism by proxy on behalf of the deceased is performed to aid them in the learning in the spiritual realm

- A Celestial Father and Mother had a hand in creation.

- The existence of a Secret, Celestial Adam alongside the Earthly Adam. The earthly Adam was baptized by Deity, given a new title.

- Initiates into the priesthood are washed, and received into it by a clasp of the hand from the priest. Their washing serves as a sign of the clasp.

- The higher mysteries are communicated through dramas depicting creation, Adam and the passage into the next world

- Ceremonial clothing figurative of Adam as a King-Priest in the spiritual realm is worn as part of initiation into the mysteries, as well as being worn by the deceased.

I'd like to emphasize that the differences appear to be just as significant as are the similarities. Still, any Latter-day Saint would find what is written by E.S. Drower have a certain familiarity to it.

Here is the PDF:

http://khazarzar.skeptik.net/books/mandaean/adam.pdf

Owing to persecution by Saddam, and others, the Manda have mostly left Iraq, with around 50,000 going to Iran. There are even Manda in the US now. I once knew a young woman who was Manda, and is now working in the office for the Catholics in Portland.  They have some other customs that are unique, among them being the way they handle gender

[volgadon]

I decided to give myself a break this upcoming semester from the medical and biological aspects of anthropology and am taking an anthropology of

religion course. In prepping for it I was reading through the course material and came across a book (in PDF form) by E.S. Drower.

It covers the rituals and beliefs of the Mandaeans, a gnostic group still active today in Iraq.

There are many differences (John the Baptist held in greater esteem than Christ, who is seen as a false Messiah), more than there are similarities. Those similarities that do exist are quite significant though.

I'll list a few practices of theirs that might strike some chords:

- Baptism and other ceremonies is followed by the partaking of ritual bread and water.

- Baptism by proxy on behalf of the deceased is performed to aid them in the learning in the spiritual realm

- A Celestial Father and Mother had a hand in creation.

- The existence of a Secret, Celestial Adam alongside the Earthly Adam. The earthly Adam was baptized by Deity, given a new title.

- Initiates into the priesthood are washed, and received into it by a clasp of the hand from the priest. Their washing serves as a sign of the clasp.

- The higher mysteries are communicated through dramas depicting creation, Adam and the passage into the next world

- Ceremonial clothing figurative of Adam as a King-Priest in the spiritual realm is worn as part of initiation into the mysteries, as well as being worn by the deceased.

I'd like to emphasize that the differences appear to be just as significant as are the similarities. Still, any Latter-day Saint would find what is written by E.S. Drower have a certain familiarity to it.

Here is the PDF:

http://khazarzar.skeptik.net/books/mandaean/adam.pdf

 

I've also posted a link to Dower's book before. You also have to read Jorun Jacobsen Buckley's book.

[halconero]

I've also posted a link to Dower's book before. You also have to read Jorun Jacobsen Buckley's book.

I should have searched the forum first!

Thanks for the recommendation. Have you ever interacted with any Mandaeans?

[Damien the Leper]

Birger Pearson addresses Manda in his book "Gnosticism: Traditions and Literature". It's a great read.

[cdowis]

I understand this is supposed to be based on the 40 day ministry of Christ, whose teachings are not recorded in the Bible.

[Calm]

I understand this is supposed to be based on the 40 day ministry of Christ, whose teachings are not recorded in the Bible.

How could it be when they reject Christ?

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandaeism

 

the Mandaeans, revere Adam, Abel, Seth, Enosh, Noah, Shem, Aram and especially John the Baptist, but rejectAbraham, Moses and Jesus of Nazareth.