Definition

1. Noun:
   • A dualistic religious system: Manichaeanism is a major Gnostic religion founded by the prophet Mani in the 3rd century AD. Its core doctrine is a cosmic and moral dualism between two eternal, opposing principles: the spiritual, good world of Light and the material, evil world of Darkness.
   • A historical faith: It was a syncretic religion that incorporated elements from Zoroastrianism, Christianity, Buddhism, and Babylonian traditions. It spread widely across the Roman Empire, Persia, and Central Asia before largely disappearing by around 1000 AD.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The theological complexity of Manichaeanism influenced later Christian heresies.
  • Archaeologists discovered texts that shed new light on the practices of Manichaeanism.
  • His worldview was often described as a form of modern Manichaeanism, dividing everything into absolute good and evil.

Advanced Usage

• "a Manichaean view/dualism": Used adjectivally to describe a rigid, black-and-white perspective that sees the world as a struggle between absolute good and absolute evil.
  • The political debate was framed in Manichaean terms, with no room for compromise or nuance.

Variants and Related Words

• Manichaean (adjective): Pertaining to Manichaeanism or its dualistic worldview.
  • Manichaean theology
• Manichaean (noun): A follower of Manichaeanism.
  • The Manichaeans were persecuted by the Roman state.
• Manicheism: An alternative, less common spelling for Manichaeanism.

Synonyms

• Dualism: (in a philosophical/religious context) A system that explains the world by two independent, opposed principles.
• Note: While related, "Gnosticism" is a broader category of religious movements sharing certain ideas, of which Manichaeanism is a specific, developed example.

Related Idioms/Phrases

• "a Manichaean struggle": A conflict perceived as a pure battle between good and evil forces.
  • The film portrays the war as a simple, Manichaean struggle.

Noun

1. 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