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The Conversation USA

This tiny minority of Iraqis follows an ancient Gnostic religion – and there's a chance they could be your neighbors too

  • Written by James F. McGrath, Professor of New Testament Language and Literature, Butler University, Butler University
imageLike their ancient ancestors, contemporary Mandaeans revere John the Baptist and consider baptism the most important of their religious rituals.Hadi Mizban/AP

In March 2021 Pope Francis became the first leader of the Roman Catholic Church to visit Iraq. The number of Christians in Iraq has fallen sharply in the past two decades amid mass violence...

Read more: This tiny minority of Iraqis follows an ancient Gnostic religion – and there's a chance they could...

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