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Manichaeism

Manichaeism

1 9.9
An ancient religion that teaches a struggle between light and darkness
  • noun
  • /ˌmænɪˈkiːɪzəm/
: maniqueísmo
  • Moreover, as Widengren suggests in his attempt to explain its appeal, especially to people of the caliber of St. Augustine, Manichaeism seemed to have the "apparent ability to suggest a complete cosmic interpretation, endeavoring at the very first examination to offer a rational explanation of all phenomena."

He taught us about Manichaeism and Gnosticism and all that, that sort of cool stuff.

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Examples

  • It was the Persian designation for the followers of Mani, founder of Manichaeism.

    Academic text (1994)
  • Excluded from the center of power, both socially and geographically, Manichaeism survived among Soghdian merchants and their outposts along the Central Asian trade routes.

    Academic text (1994)
  • Manichaeism has a powerful message for everyone, but only if they can hear what is being said.

    Blog text (21)
  • But just because one faith does not reference the points mentioned in Manichaeism does not negate what is taught in Manichaeism.

    Blog text (21)
  • Manichaeism essentially holds, despite its rational bent, a pessimistic view of man:

    Academic text (1994)
  • Manichaeism continued to decline in the Roman provinces and in its homeland following the Sasanid persecution.

    Academic text (1994)
  • Mani's Creed, which we call Manichaeism, proclaimed a universal conflict between the powers of light and darkness.

  • Grounded heavily in Zoroastrianism, Manichaeism nonetheless differed markedly from its sources.

    Academic text (1994)
  • I am not referring to Cartesian dualism, which opposes mind to matter, but to religious dualism (sometimes called Manichaeism) which sees the world as a life-and-death struggle between good and evil.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Manichaeism teaches that there is an eternal conflict between light and darkness.

Synonyms

Manichaeanism
vsManichaeism
  • Specialized
9.9

An ancient religion founded by Mani that taught the world is a battle between light and darkness

is oriented to the central struggle between light and darkness

Surface Forms

Manichaeism singular
Manichaeisms plural

Morphology

Manichaeism = Mani (transparent) = Mani + ism

Formed from the name 'Mani' plus the productive suffix '-ism' meaning the doctrine or religion of Mani; the structure directly signals a religious movement.

Etymology

Manichaeism is named after the prophet Mani, and the ending -ism means a 'belief' or 'system', as in Buddhism or Christianity. So Manichaeism is the religion Mani started that teaches the world is a struggle between 'light' and 'darkness'.