What are the differences and similarities if any at all between Spiritualism and Gnos

What are the differences and similarities if any at all between Spiritualism and Gnosticism?

Spiritualism is a religious movement that began in the United States and was prominent in the 1840s ? 1920s, especially in English-speaking countries. The movement's distinguishing feature is the belief that the spirits of the dead can be communicated with by mediums. These spirits are believed to live on a higher plane of existence than humans, and are therefore capable of providing guidance in both worldly and spiritual matters.

Gnosticism (from Greek nosies, knowledge) is a term created by modern scholars to describe a diverse, synergistic religious movement, especially in the first centuries of the common era. Gnostics believed in nosies, the knowledge of God enabled by secret teachings. Some Gnostics considered themselves Christian, identifying Jesus as the divine spirit incarnated to bring nosies to humanity. However, Gnostic non-dualism placed it in stark contrast to Jewish and Christian dualistic teaching, and Gnostics were la belled heretics. Other Gnostics were not even nominally Christian, and several Gnostic texts appear to have no Christian element at all. Still others were certainly devout mystic ascetics who worshiped Jesus and lived in their own unique ways according to His teachings.

Gnostics taught that humans were divine souls trapped in a material world created by an evil spirit, the demiurge. In order to free oneself from the evil, material world, one needed gnosis, or spiritual knowledge. Initiates were instructed in secret teachings to help them achieve gnosis. God was depicted as a pleroma composed of multiple manifestations.

Because the textual evidence comes from the first few centuries AD, many scholars have assumed that Gnosticism did not predate this period, but earlier historians of religion saw it as an outgrowth of ancient mystical traditions in Asia, especially Iran.

Gnosticism and Spiritualism are two very different things. Spiritualism employs separate spirits that act as mediators between humans and God. Gnosticism on the other hand is a direct spiritual knowledge (nosies) of the divine within yourself, by way of personal experiences and enlightenment. There is no spiritual mediator between the two, it is a direct connection.

Gnosticism has much more in common with Buddhism than it does with Spiritualism. I would think that Catholicism has more in common with Spiritualism.

EDIT: The knowledge that Gnostic's posses is not the same kind of practical knowledge like knowing how to build a nuke. It is experiential knowledge gained through life experiences. The Gnostic texts do not contain that knowledge, they're purpose is spiritual inspiration and guidance. They are sometimes called "secret" texts, but not because they are to be kept secret from others, but because many people do not understand them. Understanding comes by way of experiential knowledge (nosies).

Can be a BIG difference, I'm not sure exactly what Ur asking, but Gnostic's claim to have the "Knowledge" (definition of Gnosis) but it's like having the knowledge of how to make a Nuke while shipwrecked on a 50 sq. ft. island, what good is it??? Same with Bible Doctrine, Gnosis by itself doesn't cut it where as Epignosis (Metabolized Doctrine Resident in the Soul) is "Knowledge Utilized & Applied" for problem solving! Spirituality in general is mistakenly attributed to people who have that "Golden Glow" who seem so "Wise & Pious" who seem so "Nice". We of course do have a "Spiritual State", but that is between God (who knows our condition) & Us! Does this help??? John

spiritualism deals with the dead..dead "ghosts"

Gnosticism does not

The only similarity is they are both "types of Christianity" arguably

both are made up fictitious excuses for you to stop looking for the answers in life and pick up some subtle cow droppings and call them jewelry...they both blow!