VELCHIN

3rd century

Manichaeism

Reality is a cosmic battle between eternal principles of light/good/spirit and darkness/evil/matter.

01

The Central Error

Its radical dualism treats matter as evil and salvation as escape from material existence.

02

Historic Response

Opposed by Christian theologians, including Augustine after his conversion from Manichaeism; it is more accurately a distinct religion than a Christian sect.

03

Modern Echoes

Treating the body, marriage, food, creation, or material life as inherently evil instead of created good yet fallen.