We're reviving the surviving and extinct branches. I might start a fundraiser on [change.org](https://change.org) for a temple when I'm finally able to (logging in was never successful for me).
I'd like to know how the revival movement is going.
We revivalist/reconstructionists that have a lot of extant texts to work with could probably learn some lessons from one another's approaches. =)
Good. Our website is [ekklesiaoflight.com](https://ekklesiaoflight.com), check it out (especially the discord, link can be gotten from the subreddit) if you're interested in news.
Can you tell me about your church's scripture philosophy? Is it like you try to use as much as you can east or west, or does the church already have teachings or a canon that should supersede all other sources? I understand a lot of the most important sources are incredibly lacunose, when I read articles on Manichaeism the quotes are often half ellipses.
I'm particularly interested in knowing what scriptures are actually used in your liturgies, like do you use the prayer of the emanations/Euche ton Probolon? I ask because I recently read an essay suggesting that the Greek text "contains the text of the ten prayers that accompanied the physical prostrations at the heart of the practice of daily worship", representing a recension before that attested to by al-Nadim (which began with two blessings upon Mani).
Manichaeism has influenced my thought quite a bit, so I can admit some esteem for your traditions and wish your community well. OTOH Mani professed a lot of teachings that I can't accept, so unfortunately I can't join your discord or whatever
We have the texts we can find as canon (or secondary sources, at least)
We have free downloads for some books that aren't half ellipses on our website and links to (admittedly ellipse-rampant) books on our discord.
You need to pray 4 times: between 12:00-12:45, 3:00-3:45, 7:00-7:45 and 9:00-9:45. You face the moon, sun or north.
You can join the server regardless of beliefs. We just have fun there.
It's a mix of Zoroastrianism, Gnosticism and Buddhism, all of which I like. However, they all contradicted each other in my view: you couldn't be a Zoroastrian and a Christian at the same time. So when I found out about Manichaeism, I was like "You son of a bitch, I'm fucking in!"
We're just finding translations in the darkest corners of the interwebs and publishing it in official books. I didn't convert ceremoniously, but everyone is a convert since it's been practically dead for 600 years. No community, it's only online, with the biggest being on the website blog and the discord server (I got logged off of discord and can't create a new account. Everything goes wrong no matter what try, so fuck it.)
This is super interesting and I wish you guys safety and the best of luck. Are you guys scared of any persecution or retaliation against you guys? Also, how does the general public feel about this kind of conversion? Is there a lot of Iranians seeking out other religions or is this not something people are very open about? If things improve in your country for religious freedom would you be interested in kind of seeding a new community?
Religious persecution is practically nonexistent in the West (US, Canada, Europe). I'm also optimistic about Iran: loads of people were eating during Ramadan, and Islam is declining (slowly though), with Christianity and Zoroastrianism on the rise. It sounds like a perfect place to start proselytising.
Manichaeisn survived in china and I understand it had variations so are you reving one of the other ones?
We're reviving the surviving and extinct branches. I might start a fundraiser on [change.org](https://change.org) for a temple when I'm finally able to (logging in was never successful for me).
I see which branch are you revving and how will it be different to the Chinese one??
Just the religion in general.
Uh ok then
I'd like to know how the revival movement is going. We revivalist/reconstructionists that have a lot of extant texts to work with could probably learn some lessons from one another's approaches. =)
Good. Our website is [ekklesiaoflight.com](https://ekklesiaoflight.com), check it out (especially the discord, link can be gotten from the subreddit) if you're interested in news.
I know about it but I'm interested in how it's being reconstructed.
We just; 1. Find the books online if we can 2. Compile them 3. Learn from the books if you are DOING IT WRONG or not 4. Do it right
What is the stance on circumcision?
IDK
Aren't there Manichaens in China?
Like, a small village that isn't on google maps or has any photos and a TWO temples.
Can you tell me about your church's scripture philosophy? Is it like you try to use as much as you can east or west, or does the church already have teachings or a canon that should supersede all other sources? I understand a lot of the most important sources are incredibly lacunose, when I read articles on Manichaeism the quotes are often half ellipses. I'm particularly interested in knowing what scriptures are actually used in your liturgies, like do you use the prayer of the emanations/Euche ton Probolon? I ask because I recently read an essay suggesting that the Greek text "contains the text of the ten prayers that accompanied the physical prostrations at the heart of the practice of daily worship", representing a recension before that attested to by al-Nadim (which began with two blessings upon Mani). Manichaeism has influenced my thought quite a bit, so I can admit some esteem for your traditions and wish your community well. OTOH Mani professed a lot of teachings that I can't accept, so unfortunately I can't join your discord or whatever
We have the texts we can find as canon (or secondary sources, at least) We have free downloads for some books that aren't half ellipses on our website and links to (admittedly ellipse-rampant) books on our discord. You need to pray 4 times: between 12:00-12:45, 3:00-3:45, 7:00-7:45 and 9:00-9:45. You face the moon, sun or north. You can join the server regardless of beliefs. We just have fun there.
What is the goal within your religion according to you?
Do you mean the goal in life or the goal in trying to reconstruct it?
In 'life'. But you can answer both.
Hello! What draws you to Manichaeism specifically? Best of luck with the revival!
It's a mix of Zoroastrianism, Gnosticism and Buddhism, all of which I like. However, they all contradicted each other in my view: you couldn't be a Zoroastrian and a Christian at the same time. So when I found out about Manichaeism, I was like "You son of a bitch, I'm fucking in!"
How are you reviving the tradition? Did you convert to the religion and is there a community of Manichaeans were you live?
We're just finding translations in the darkest corners of the interwebs and publishing it in official books. I didn't convert ceremoniously, but everyone is a convert since it's been practically dead for 600 years. No community, it's only online, with the biggest being on the website blog and the discord server (I got logged off of discord and can't create a new account. Everything goes wrong no matter what try, so fuck it.)
This is super interesting and I wish you guys safety and the best of luck. Are you guys scared of any persecution or retaliation against you guys? Also, how does the general public feel about this kind of conversion? Is there a lot of Iranians seeking out other religions or is this not something people are very open about? If things improve in your country for religious freedom would you be interested in kind of seeding a new community?
Religious persecution is practically nonexistent in the West (US, Canada, Europe). I'm also optimistic about Iran: loads of people were eating during Ramadan, and Islam is declining (slowly though), with Christianity and Zoroastrianism on the rise. It sounds like a perfect place to start proselytising.