What is the best early Christian sect?

[Brazen]

Catharism.

[PDH]

Where are the Nestorians?

Not really an early sect. They didn't come along until after Constantine right?

I would say that any of the Roman sects/heresies should be here.  Nestorians are cool because they wandered off into unknown parts.

[crazy canuck]

Catharism.

A bit of a late comer.  Although in the Gnostic tradition.

[Caliga]

The foundations of the Mormon faith, which is definitely Christian, goes back to the time of ancient Israel. I think if you're going to include early Christian sects then it is fair to include Latter Day Saints.

[Caliga]

I omitted the Cathars because they're much too late for the period I was aiming for.  I probably should have clarified that I was thinking of pre-Council of Nicaea sects.

[Grey Fox]

The foundations of the Mormon faith, which is definitely Christian, goes back to the time of ancient Israel. I think if you're going to include early Christian sects then it is fair to include Latter Day Saints.

[Valmy]

I omitted the Cathars because they're much too late for the period I was aiming for.  I probably should have clarified that I was thinking of pre-Council of Nicaea sects.

Yeah if we are going to start picking groups like the Cathars we might as well be allowed to pick the Lutherans.

[Martinus]

Always had a soft spot for nestorians, but if they don't qualify then it's definitely the carpocratians (provided the tales of libertinism are correct and not libel from their rivals).

Well, carpocratians seemed legit - I mean I know people who became virtually invisible after fucking everybody in their circle of friends...

[Caliga]

Anyways, I've always been partial to my boy Marcion of Sinope.

I thought everyone in that part of the US was a fire and brimstone Old Testament type 

If I remember the Montanists correctly then the people you are thinking of are more like them.

"AH CAN SPEAK IN TONGUES CFJLFLHHLDHSHJSLLHXHCLLHD!!!!!"

[Malthus]

Heh, this thread reminds me of when I was forced to take "Catholic lessons" with an old priest, in order to get married.

Turns out he was an enthusiast for early Christian sects, and that's what he felt comfortable talking about - once he learned I found his hobby interesting.

Not exactly sure that was what we were supposed to be doing ... but the "lessons" were a lot of fun and we parted best of friends.  Sadly, he passed away some time ago. 

[Caliga]

Heh, this thread reminds me of when I was forced to take "Catholic lessons" with an old priest, in order to get married.

Turns out he was an enthusiast for early Christian sects, and that's what he felt comfortable talking about - once he learned I found his hobby interesting.

Not exactly sure that was what we were supposed to be doing ... but the "lessons" were a lot of fun and we parted best of friends.  Sadly, he passed away some time ago. 

Are you me?

I had to do the same to get married by an Episcopal priest, and he enjoyed speaking to me about ancient Latin prose.  We had a good laugh or two about Suetonius's tabloid journalism.

He even gave me a Eucharist tray inscribed in Latin.  Not sure if he was 'allowed' to, but I still have it and consider it a prized possession.

He too died several years back.  RIP Father Joe.

[Malthus]

Heh, this thread reminds me of when I was forced to take "Catholic lessons" with an old priest, in order to get married.

Turns out he was an enthusiast for early Christian sects, and that's what he felt comfortable talking about - once he learned I found his hobby interesting.

Not exactly sure that was what we were supposed to be doing ... but the "lessons" were a lot of fun and we parted best of friends.  Sadly, he passed away some time ago. 

Are you me?

I had to do the same to get married by an Episcopal priest, and he enjoyed speaking to me about ancient Latin prose.  We had a good laugh or two about Suetonius's tabloid journalism.

He even gave me a Eucharist tray inscribed in Latin.  Not sure if he was 'allowed' to, but I still have it and consider it a prized possession.

He too died several years back.  RIP Father Joe.

Heh, I would have assumed this experience was so odd, that few others would have it. 

Oh well, I'll still have the time I was first introduced to my wife's parents ... only to read on their table while waiting for dinner a nasty religious screed about how "the Jews" tortured Jesus by stuffing his mouth with turds. "Hi, I'm your daughter's new boyfriend ... the Jew". 

Best part: it was a rosary diary, with each page a separate day - and the corners turned down to show you'd done the meditation that day. So I knew her parents had read (indeed, meditated) on that visual image - Jews stuffing turds into Jesus' mouth - that very day. 

Pretty sure few others have faced that ...

[Martinus]

Jeez, and I thought Polish catholics were weird...

[Valmy]

Pretty sure few others have faced that ...

Good thing you Jews have a good sense of humor.

[Archy]

You're sure they didn't fed you turds in the food?