multithetical--we come from many sources

Reading of the descending of Lailat-al-Qadr, there appears to be a continuous struggle between good and evil, shaytan and the angels, negativity and light. It takes me to some of Bawa Muhaiyaddeen other conversations regarding God’s energy, placing two forms within his creations—wrong and right. Within each body there are two forces, one of evil or animal qualities such as jealousy and greed vs. one of God’s light which provides wisdom, purity and goodness. Through this light the qalb, or inner heart, will blossom and grow.
I think back on other religious or philosophical forms of dualism and I immediately come to Plato and his philosophical dualism with the idea of two equal opposing powers in the universe (light-darkness). This philosophy influenced Paul, the Gospel of John and the Gnostics who moved further into this sphere. The Gnostics, I believe, felt that within each person there was true goodness and a divine source of light but the individual was oftentimes overcome or subdued by the evil forces which maintained their power. Gnosis, or knowledge, liberated one from this evil world and allowed one to escape the body’s prison and return to the world of light.
Now I think some Gnostics had their rituals to achieve enlightenment and others reached it by a calling but however they overcame evil, they realized that this world and their bodies were not the source of true enlightenment and liberation. A rebirth was necessary.
From what I remember of a little OT history, dualism seemed to have a foundation in Persian culture with an ancient god, Ahura Mazda, influencing events on earth through spirits or agents using ethical means such as light and truth. Ahura Mazda has enemies and opponents such as Angra Mainyu—(Shaitan=Satan). This belief in dualism found the human soul as the battle ground of these forces.
Zoroastrianism came from this foundation and geographical location (we three kings…) and influenced Cyrus the Great and therefore the Jewish culture during their exile in the 6th century BCE.What’s the point of all this? It speaks to the reason we are taking the course and now I get to use my classmate's word, "multithetical." There probably is no purity in religion—Yahweh had roots coming from other traditions which had roots coming from other traditions—El, Marduk, Baal, Enlil, Ahura Mazda. With no purity in religion, we should be able to engage in interreligious dialogue without conflict. Interreligious mixings have always occurred and creates tremendous relevance in the study of ancient contexting which helps to understand the building blocks of our present day religions.