Gnosticism

how much of this thinking continues to influence our rationalities and way of conceptualizing ideas? When we think of issues that we readily dichotomize and argue using polarities without acknowledging the gradual progression between the two and to separate the two issues in such clear cut categories might readily situate them to be misunderstood.
Gnosticism in the way that we separate the “religious” and “secular” realm can displace the responsibility and prevent us from acknowledging our commonality with the rest of the world. Creating a false chasm between realities can also hinder us from participating in a world that is commonly deemed as sinful and belonging to the “heathen” (although this does not mean that everything is permissive, but maybe we have set wrongful categories where there should not be). This dichotomy can create problems and label behaviors as sinful when it does not necessarily nor appropriately warranted. Maybe the actual sin is by creating false criteria and categories that separate us from creation and the reality in our midst that we are to help to redeem (this might be reminiscent of when God addressed Paul to not call things that he has created dirty). Missionaries and people in “religious” work are often placed in a valuable and holier category…but shouldn’t those who are living and helping to renew this world be also held in the same esteem? Why should living the daily realities of life and practicality of daily grind be held down as less worthy? We continue to perpetuate this Gnostic thinking that those “who live for the spirit” matter more than those who are living their daily realities in their midst. This false categorization has led us to a distorted understanding of what it means to be human and our relation to the world around us. It has a created a divide in how we view our life and what we are aspiring to have. Maybe, “heaven is a place on earth” (could be more true that we thought of) and we have been allowed to participate in making this happen by helping it be renewed through having the right relationship with each other and surrounding…Shalom.