Gnosticism in modern times includes a variety of contemporary religious movements, stemming from Gnostic ideas and systems from ancient Roman society. ... The Mandaeans are an ancient Gnostic sect still active in Iran and Iraq with small communities in other parts of the world.

What do modern Gnostics believe?

The Gnostics believed that individuals could attain mystical knowledge through divine revelation. They were a holy, impractical bunch who largely rejected this world as flawed - some saw it as the creation of the Devil - and so sought through asceticism, celibacy and fasting to hasten death and reunion with God.

What is an example of Gnosticism?

The existence of early Christian sects who believed divine knowledge of a supreme being was the way to redemption is an example of Gnosticism. ... The Mandaean religion preserves one system of Gnostic belief.