Resurrecting Gnosticism.

Early Christianity seemed to be more like the Eastern religions in it's early stages,

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Good post!

Early Christianity actually started out as a Jewish sect. Once more Gentiles joined the movement than Jews, it slowly turned into a Gentile religion. This was largely done by blending other beliefs with those coming from the Jewish sources.

The resulting early sects were generally based on which other religions were merged with. The Gnostics took those "Eartern" thought processes and developed their own new teachings. That was not unique, though, because many sects developed with the "Christian" movement in the first two centuries.

The Christianity we know only came about by suppressing most of the sects that were contrary to the prevailing sect, that became the Orthodox religions.

the problem is that "gnosticism" is a blanket word these days to describe Christian heretics. I find the Cathars to be fascinating, but others might find the early messianic jewish cults more interesting.

I find the "gnostic" idea that life n Earth IS hell and that we should give up all earthly pleasures intriguing (sp?).