There are many groups both in the United States and around the world today that describe themselves as Gnostic churches or organizations, and while we reach out to all these groups with fraternal and sororal affection and good will, we also recognize that it is important to indicate what is distinctive about our Church, and where it lies on the broader spectrum of the contemporary global Gnostic renaissance. In summary, we are an independent communion of neo-classical Gnostics.

Neo-Classical Gnostics. To take the second point first, we are neo-classical Gnostics in that we strive to reclaim the religious heritage of early Gnosticism, particularly as it developed from the first to the fourth centuries of the Christian era. In this way, we are allied most broadly with groups variously described as classical, traditional, or "Nag Hammadi" Gnostics (in the sense that we and similar groups place great value on the Nag Hammadi texts discovered in the mid-twentieth century in Egypt). This distinguishes us from a diverse set of very different groups that also call themselves Gnostic, but which arose primarily out of nineteenth-century occult movements like Theosophy or Rosicrucianism, or out of the occult traditions associated with Aleister Crowley, all of which came into existence well before the Nag Hammadi discoveries. We have very little in common with the various Crowley schools, for example, but we welcome dialogue on matters of mutual concern.

We describe ourselves as neo-classical because we have adapted or altered certain points that were stressed differently by the classical Gnostics per se, and because we have naturally been forced to develop certain theological and spiritual concepts (such as the theory and practice of liturgy) about which there is simply very little evidence from the early Gnostic era. In particular, unlike many of the early Gnostics, we emphasize a panentheistic interpretation of Gnosticism, which stresses the presence of spirit in animals and other living things, and within nature and the Earth itself, a "pleromic" or spiritual level dwelling under the limitations of material or "cosmic" form, just as we see such a layering of essence and form in human beings. Because of this, caring for animals, the Earth, and all living things forms a central part of our perceived spiritual mission. Similarly, many of our members tend toward an increased emphasis on the probability of metempsychosis or reincarnation for spirits that are unable to attain to gnosis in the course of one earthly life; some early Gnostics probably also believed in reincarnation, but there is not a great deal of evidence about the nature of their thoughts on the subject. Because we are a non-dogmatic Church, we not only tolerate but welcome a great deal of internal diversity on all such theological questions, within the broader context of our Gnostic faith.

An Independent Communion. We are a completely independent Church, organized in 2002 by a small group of neo-classical Gnostics, dedicated to the primary mission of articulating a Gnostic spirituality both faithful to our classical traditions and capable of speaking to the needs of contemporary human beings within the structure of a democratic and decentralized church organization, and with a special goal of ministering to the many "solitary Gnostics" who find themselves living in areas of the country or world with very few other Gnostics for spiritual community. We are not affiliated with any other group, denomination, church, or organization, although we continue to actively pursue ecumenical relations with Gnostic groups and other fellow-travelers. We are an independent communion of Gnostics dedicated to pursuing our path to spiritual liberation within the unity of a spiritual community of similar seekers. We are dedicated to principles of openness and inclusivity, as recognized in our fundamental principle of radical open communion. We are also dedicated to democratic, consensus-building processes in all Church activities and decisions. For more information on the AGCA, including how you can begin the process of becoming a full member of the Church, please see our page Who We Are.

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We Are An Independent Communion of Neo-Classical Gnostics Around the World
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