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Religions profiles
History/Founder/important persons/saints:
The
exact origins of Mandeism are unknown, and scholars argue dates ranging
from the first to the fourth centuries. Because they speak a form of
Aramaic, some credence is given their claim that they are descended
from followers of John the Baptist; others believe they may be descended
from the Essene sect.
Current
leader/governing body: Mandeans live mainly in small communities in Southern
Iran and Iraq.
Number
of Adherents: About 20,000 in Iraq and Iran.
Clergy:
Mandeans have an active priesthood that requires extensive
training and a seven day initiation process.
Requirements
to join: A Mandi, a small open-ended building with a pool (connected
to a nearby river) for baptism.
Church/temple: A Mandi, a small open-ended building with a pool (connected
to a nearby river) for baptism.
Scripture: The Ginza, or prayerbook,
and the Book of John the Baptist.
Required
observances, dietary restrictions: Mandeans follow purity laws similar to those in Judaism. Men are
required to wear white turbans.
Code
of Conduct:
- Mandeans
follow a complex system of Morals, much of which is laid out in the
"Book of John." The main prohibitions are:
- Blasphemy
-
Murder
-
Adultery
-
Theft
-
Lying and perjury
-
Being disloyal
-
Lust
-
Magic
-
Circumcision
-
Drinking alcohol
-
Charging interest
-
Mourning the dead
-
Divorce
-
Suicide
-
Self-mutilation, including tattoos and piercing
Basic
teachings and Beliefs of Mandeism:
The
Mandeans are the last remaining continuous Gnostic sect- Mandean is
from the word "Manda," or "secret knowledge.". They
practice weekly Baptisms as a sacrament, and claim to follow the teachings
of John the Baptist. They reject Jesus as a false prophet, who mislead
people and revealed religious secrets.
The
Mandeans are considered by Muslims to be "People of the Book"
and the Sabeans of Koranic legend, but Mandeans give Mohammed less credit
even than Jesus, identifying him as a demon.
The
practice of ecstatic rituals (see shamanism) may be another link to
the early Gnostics, and the mysterious substance haoma bears
and interesting linguistic similarity with the Hindu Soma.
Interestingly,
the Christian New Testament tells of an episode where the missionary
Paul encounters a group of "disciples," followers of John
the Baptist, who have never heard of Jesus! (Acts 19) Part of the Mandean
account of Jesus:
"While
John lives in Jerusalem, gaining sway over Jordan and baptizing, Jesus
Christ shall come to him, shall humble himself, shall receive John's
baptism and shall become wise with John's wisdom. But then shall he
corrupt John's sayings, pervert the Baptism of Jordan, distort the words
of truth and preach fraud and malice throughout the world."
Symbols
of Mandeism: The main symbol of the Mandean faith is a cross swathed in fabric,
surmounted by a wreath.For more information on this and dozens of other religious symbols,
please visit our symbol
glossary.
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