Lucifer: a Gnostic Hero
In the tale of Adam and Eve’s expulsion from the Garden of Eden, the snake is only a snake…a talking, reasoning snake! Since this snake figures in the original temptation that led to the Fall – he was surmised to be Lucifer, the embodiment of evil.
What did the snake advise? – To eat of the fruit of the knowledge of Good and Evil.
For this Adam and Eve (and all of us, according to popular Christian myth) were condemned to a life of suffering as a punishment for this transgression.
What is the message in this myth?
-That knowledge and awareness defies “God’s” plan for us, and is therefore “evil”…..that knowledge itself is evil.
That rebellion against an “established authority” leads to misery and is also evil (not to mention the idea that punishment and suffering is itself an objection to a path, as if suffering and punishment equates with the “untruth” of a path, and proves it otherwise)
Let it be understood that just because I am punished for taking a certain path, or suffer because of it, this does not in itself prove that the path is false! One is either up to the challenge, or one is not….nothing more!
Eden represents a type of unconsciousness, a child-like state.
The “fall from grace” represents the birth of consciousness, and therefore the very distinction of the human species; it symbolizes leaving the child-like state behind, and graduating to a position as a thinking entity. Representing it as the beginning of pain, separation, and suffering is an attack upon consciousness that comes from those who hate and fear the human mind, and see it (including their own) as an enemy.
The Eden tale equates ignorance with paradise, and knowledge with sin, suffering, and with rebellion. In this aspect it is correct, for knowledge often does lead to rebellion. The possibility of suffering is not an argument against the validity of knowledge and rebellion. You are either up to it or not.
Lucifer symbolizes the One who tempts humankind to –
1) Act to acquire knowledge.
2) Question everything, especially established authority & pre-determined value systems.
3) Think for oneself.
Rebellion and exile is a possible side effect.
Rebellion may (and at some point will) be a consequence of questioning, thinking for oneself, and seeking knowledge. It comes with the territory.
- Werbinox
What did the snake advise? – To eat of the fruit of the knowledge of Good and Evil.
For this Adam and Eve (and all of us, according to popular Christian myth) were condemned to a life of suffering as a punishment for this transgression.
What is the message in this myth?
-That knowledge and awareness defies “God’s” plan for us, and is therefore “evil”…..that knowledge itself is evil.
That rebellion against an “established authority” leads to misery and is also evil (not to mention the idea that punishment and suffering is itself an objection to a path, as if suffering and punishment equates with the “untruth” of a path, and proves it otherwise)
Let it be understood that just because I am punished for taking a certain path, or suffer because of it, this does not in itself prove that the path is false! One is either up to the challenge, or one is not….nothing more!
Eden represents a type of unconsciousness, a child-like state.
The “fall from grace” represents the birth of consciousness, and therefore the very distinction of the human species; it symbolizes leaving the child-like state behind, and graduating to a position as a thinking entity. Representing it as the beginning of pain, separation, and suffering is an attack upon consciousness that comes from those who hate and fear the human mind, and see it (including their own) as an enemy.
The Eden tale equates ignorance with paradise, and knowledge with sin, suffering, and with rebellion. In this aspect it is correct, for knowledge often does lead to rebellion. The possibility of suffering is not an argument against the validity of knowledge and rebellion. You are either up to it or not.
Lucifer symbolizes the One who tempts humankind to –
1) Act to acquire knowledge.
2) Question everything, especially established authority & pre-determined value systems.
3) Think for oneself.
Rebellion and exile is a possible side effect.
Rebellion may (and at some point will) be a consequence of questioning, thinking for oneself, and seeking knowledge. It comes with the territory.
- Werbinox
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