Manichaeism

Man·i·chae·ism  (mn-kzm) also Man·i·chae·an·ism (-k-nzm)

n.

1. The syncretic, dualistic religious philosophy taught by the Persian prophet Manes, combining elements of Zoroastrian, Christian, and Gnostic thought and opposed by the imperial Roman government, Neo-Platonist philosophers, and orthodox Christians.

2. A dualistic philosophy dividing the world between good and evil principles or regarding matter as intrinsically evil and mind as intrinsically good.

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Manichaeism, Manicheism [ˈmænɪkiːˌɪzəm]

n

1. (Non-Christian Religions / Other Non-Christian Religions) the system of religious doctrines, including elements of Gnosticism, Zoroastrianism, Christianity, Buddhism, etc., taught by the Persian prophet Mani (?216-?276 ad), based on a supposed primordial conflict between light and darkness or goodness and evil

2. (Christian Religious Writings / Theology) Chiefly RC Church any similar heretical philosophy involving a radical dualism

[from Late Latin Manichaeus, from Late Greek Manikhaios of Mani]

Manichee  n

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Manichaeism, Manicheism, Manicheanism

1. the doctrines and practices of the dualistic religious system of Manes, a blending of Gnostic Christianity, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, and other elements, especially doctrines of a cosmic conflict between forces of light and darkness, the darkness and evilness of matter, and the necessity for a sexual, vegetarian asceticism.
2. any similar dualistic system, considered heretical by orthodox Christian standards. Cf. Gnosticism. — Manichean, n., adj. — Manicheistic, adj.

See also: Heresy

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

Manichaeism - a religion founded by Manes in the third century; a synthesis of Zoroastrian dualism between light and dark and Babylonian folklore and Buddhist ethics and superficial elements of Christianity; spread widely in the Roman Empire but had largely died out by 1000 Manichaeanism faith, religion, religious belief - a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny; "he lost his faith but not his morality"

Translations

Manichaeism Manicheism [ˌmænɪˈkiːɪzəm] N → maniqueísmo m