The Catholic Book Club discussion

4. Have you previously read about Manichaeism? What was it about Manichaeism that appealed to Augustine?

I have read about Manichaeism in the study of the different religions of the world, which I have carried out during several decades and used in some of my novels, such as the Aeolian Family series.

Manichaeism started in the Persian Sassanian Empire during the 3rd century (about the time of my novel The Emerald Tablet) and in the two following centuries spread around the Roman Empire, until it was demolished by St. Augustine, although it survived many more centuries in China.

Manichaeism was a hybrid religion that took concepts from Christianity, Zoroastrianism, Gnosticism, and other religions. Manichaeism asserted that the world has been created by two Gods, one good and one evil. The latter would be responsible for all evil in the creation. They had also got the idea of reincarnation from the Eastern religions.

Augustin was attracted by this religion because it offered an answer to the question of evil in the world, which worried him until he learned the Christian answer, as it worries many people now.

The founder of this religion was Manes and he was murdered by the persian we must analyze his bonds with the gnosticism. The manicheism and the christianity were two of the religion pursued by the Roman Empire.

Sorry atacked by the Roman Empire.

Fonch wrote: "Sorry atacked by the Roman Empire."

You meant "persecuted" :-)

Manuel wrote: "Fonch wrote: "Sorry atacked by the Roman Empire."

You meant "persecuted" :-)"

My translation said "followed" and i wanted to say the opposite 😅.