The Ancient Sect That Demanded Total Equality

The Carpocratians were a radical Gnostic group that believed private property was the root of evil. They practiced a form of communism so extreme that they shared everything, including their own spouses, to ensure absolute fairness.

Emerging in the second century, this group argued that divine justice required a world without personal possessions or social hierarchies. Because they defied traditional family structures and laws, they were heavily criticized by early church leaders. These opponents accused them of widespread immorality to weaken their influence. Today, their philosophy remains a fascinating example of early utopian thinking that sought to erase all human boundaries.