• until the discovery of the Library of Nag Hammadi in 1945, the 2nd century CE work Against Heresies was the best surviving description of Gnosticism?

Facts on topics related to Gnosticism

Atheism

• developmental biologist PZ Myers, who writes about evolution, cephalopods, politics, and atheism, is the top-ranked science blogger according to the journal Nature?
• Cecil Bothwell's election to the Asheville, North Carolina, city council was challenged on the grounds that the North Carolina Constitution does not allow for atheists to hold public office?
• Maraimalai Adigal, a Saivite and considered the father of the Pure Tamil movement, disagreed with the atheistic beliefs of Periyar's Self-Respect Movement?
• Margaret Downey's first major public activism for atheism was in response to the Boy Scouts of America refusing to renew her son's membership due to his professed atheism?
• Penitents Compete is a Turkish reality television series in which a Jewish rabbi, a Buddhist monk, a Greek Orthodox priest, and a Muslim imam try to convert atheists?
• the Soviet atheist magazine Bezbozhnik (cover pictured) accused some rabbis of having organized anti-Jewish pogroms in the Russian Empire?
• the Jugendweihe is a secular alternative to confirmation in Germany and became a Socialist pledge in the atheist GDR?

Religion

• Buddhism in Austria is a legally recognized religion and has 10,402 followers according to the 2001 census?
• Hermann Klaatsch was one of the first scientists to advocate a clear division between religion and physical anthropology?
• Western Ganga literature included Kannada poetry and prose written by royalty, on topics ranging from religion to elephant management?
• a botánica is a Latin American store that sells religious goods, magical paraphernalia and brand name health care products?
• the Religion Newswriters Association awards scholarships for full-time journalists who wish to take college courses on religion?
• the Right Hegelians took the philosophy of Hegel in a politically and religiously conservative direction?
• the Zhang Zhung culture of Tibet is the source of the Bön religion?
• the cornerstone of moral syncretism is that religion cannot be the only arbiter of morality?

Gnostic

• the Gospel of Philip was one of the many Gnostic writings found in 1946 in the Egyptian village of Nag Hammâdi?