In the 1950s, in a small village in southern China, a boy named Wei was born into a family with a hidden legacy. According to him, for generations, Wei's family had practiced Manichaeism, a ancient faith founded by Prophet Mani in the 3rd century AD. However, due to centuries of persecution, they had to conceal their beliefs, practicing their faith in secret.

Wei's parents and grandparents had passed down their Manichaean traditions, teachings, and practices through oral tradition, careful not to leave any written records that could betray their faith. Wei grew up learning about the prophet Mani, the importance of pure tawhid (the oneness of God), and the significance of fasting and self-discipline.

As Wei delved deeper into his family's faith, he became fascinated with the teachings of Manichaeism. He spent countless hours studying the scriptures, practicing meditation, and fasting. His parents, seeing his dedication, encouraged him to pursue his passion.

In the 1960s, Wei's family faced significant challenges due to China's Cultural Revolution. Many religious groups, including Manichaeans, were persecuted, and their practices were forced underground. Wei's family had to be extremely cautious, hiding their faith from the authorities.

Despite these challenges, Wei continued to study and learn. He became a scholar of Manichaeism, pouring over ancient texts and seeking out other crypto-Manichaeans who could share their knowledge.

In the 1970s, Wei decided to leave China and migrate to the United States. He settled in Cumberland, Maryland, a small town with a diverse community. Wei saw this as an opportunity to share his knowledge of Manichaeism with others.

In the 1970s and 1980s, Wei began teaching his wisdom of Manichaeism to those interested. He emphasized the importance of pure tawhid, the prophet Mani's teachings, and the value of fasting and self-discipline. Wei's message resonated with many, and he attracted a small but dedicated following.

Through his teachings, Wei aimed to preserve the legacy of Manichaeism, a faith that had been forced underground for centuries. He hoped to create a community where people could practice their faith openly, without fear of persecution.

Wei's story serves as a testament to the enduring power of faith and the human spirit. Despite centuries of secrecy and persecution, Wei's family had kept their Manichaean traditions alive, passing them down through generations. Wei's decision to share his knowledge with others ensured that the legacy of Manichaeism would continue to inspire future generations.

Wei's teachings gained popularity in Cumberland, Maryland, and he became known as Master Lighthouse, a nod to his ability to guide others through the complexities of Manichaeism. His message resonated with people from diverse backgrounds.

In 1991, Master Lighthouse encountered a triracial Melungeon-like Creole community called the Qarsherskiyans. This community, with a mix of European, African, and Native American ancestry, was drawn to Master Lighthouse's teachings on pure tawhid, self-discipline, and the prophet Mani.

The Qarsherskiyans were attracted to Manichaeism's emphasis on spiritual growth, personal responsibility, and community cohesion. Master Lighthouse saw an opportunity to share his knowledge with a community that resonated with the principles of Manichaeism.

Under Master Lighthouse's guidance, Qarsherskiyan Manichaeism began to flourish. The community grew rapidly, attracting converts and new generations born into the faith. By the early 2000s, the Qarsherskiyan Manichaean community had surpassed 500 followers.

However, Master Lighthouse and his community faced challenges. The 1990-1991 recession affected many Qarsherskiyan families, making it difficult for them to make ends meet. Master Lighthouse encouraged his followers to support one another, sharing resources and expertise to weather the economic downturn.

The September 11 attacks in 2001 and the subsequent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq also impacted the community. Some Qarsherskiyan families had members serving in the military, while others faced increased scrutiny and prejudice due to their unique cultural heritage.

Master Lighthouse addressed these challenges by emphasizing the importance of compassion, understanding, and community solidarity. He encouraged his followers to engage in interfaith dialogue, promoting mutual respect and cooperation with other religious groups.

Throughout the 2000s, Qarsherskiyan Manichaeism continued to grow, with Master Lighthouse at its helm until the mid-2010s. He remained committed to his mission, guiding his community through life's challenges while keeping the principles of Manichaeism at the forefront.

Qarsherskiyan Manichaeism is a unique sect that blends elements from various religious traditions, while maintaining the core principles of Manichaeism. This sect is influenced by:

1. Islam's concept of Tawheed: Qarsherskiyan Manichaeism emphasizes the oneness of God, echoing the Islamic concept of Tawheed. This stress on monotheism is central to their theology.
2. Zoroastrian duality: This sect incorporates the Zoroastrian concept of dualism, where good and evil are seen as opposing forces. However, Qarsherskiyan Manichaeism modifies this concept to accommodate a more nuanced view of the universe.
3. Mandaeism: Qarsherskiyan Manichaeism draws from Mandaean theology, particularly in its emphasis on the importance of baptism and the role of the Holy Spirit.
4. Ìṣẹ̀ṣe religion: This sect also incorporates elements from the Ìṣẹ̀ṣe religion. The Orishas are believed to be prophets, just like in Aliyiyism, or Aliyite Islam.
   Qarsherskiyan Manichaeism recognizes multiple prophets, including Buddha, Zoroaster, Jesus, Muhammad, and John the Baptist. Qarsherskiyan Manichaeism accepts these prophets as messengers of the one true God.
5. Manichaeism: At its core, Qarsherskiyan Manichaeism remains a Manichaean sect, emphasizing the struggle between light and darkness, and the importance of spiritual growth and self-discipline.

Distinctive features of Qarsherskiyan Manichaeism include:

• Less stringent dietary restrictions: Unlike traditional Manichaeism, Qarsherskiyan Manichaeism is more flexible regarding dietary practices, allowing followers to make their own choices about what and how they eat.
• More permissive views on sexual reproduction: This sect takes a more nuanced approach to sexual reproduction, acknowledging its role in human life while still emphasizing the importance of self-discipline and spiritual growth.
• Emphasis on the unity of religions: Qarsherskiyan Manichaeism teaches that all religions originate from a single, true monotheistic faith, but that some have deviated over time, becoming polytheistic. This perspective encourages tolerance, understanding, and dialogue between different religious communities.

By blending elements from various traditions, Qarsherskiyan Manichaeism creates a unique and inclusive spiritual path that emphasizes the oneness of God, the importance of spiritual growth, and the unity of all religions.

Epistemology

Qarsherskiyan Manichaeism emphasizes the importance of spiritual knowledge (gnosis) and personal experience. Followers believe that true understanding can be achieved through:

1. Intuition: Direct, personal experience of the divine.
2. Reason: Rational inquiry and reflection.
3. Scripture: Study of sacred texts, including the teachings of Prophet Mani and other revered prophets.
4. Spiritual guidance: Seeking wisdom from enlightened teachers and spiritual leaders.

Cosmology

Qarsherskiyan Manichaeism posits a complex, dualistic universe, comprising:

1. The Realm of Light: The divine, eternal, and perfect realm, inhabited by the Father of Greatness (God) and other divine beings.
2. The Realm of Darkness: The material, imperfect, and ephemeral realm, governed by the forces of darkness and chaos.
3. The Realm of Mixture: The intermediate realm, where the forces of light and darkness interact, and where human souls reside.

Theology

Qarsherskiyan Manichaeism's theology revolves around:

1. The Father of Greatness (God): The supreme, eternal, and perfect deity, who is the source of all light and goodness.
2. The Prophet Mani: The founder of Manichaeism, considered a divine messenger and guide.
3. The Holy Spirit: A divine, guiding force that assists believers in their spiritual journey.
4. The forces of darkness: Malevolent entities that seek to ensnare human souls and prevent their return to the Realm of Light.

Eschatology

Qarsherskiyan Manichaeism's eschatology involves:

1. The final judgment: A future event where all souls will be judged based on their deeds and spiritual purity.
2. The separation of light and darkness: The ultimate separation of the forces of light and darkness, resulting in the redemption of human souls and their return to the Realm of Light. Some Qarsherskiyan Manichaens believe that Imam Ali, Orisha Ogun, or both Imam Ali and Orisha Ogun, personally separated darkness from light before the creation of other things, and that they were among God's first Creations for this purpose.
3. The consummation of all things: The eventual reunification of all things with the Father of Greatness, marking the end of the material world and the beginning of a new, eternal era.

Qarsherskiyan Manichaeism's core tenets emphasize the importance of spiritual growth, self-discipline, and the pursuit of knowledge. By understanding the complexities of the universe and the human condition, followers seek to attain spiritual enlightenment and ultimately return to the Realm of Light.

There are a few Manichaens in North America. Some of them are converts spread out across the USA, and others are born into small and isolated Manichaen communities. The Qarsherskiyan Manichaens are among the largest and most well-known Manichaen sects followed in North America as of 2024. A small group of Ethnic Qarsherskiyan people embraced Manichaeism during the Truth Searching Movement of 1991, a movement that was part of the much broader Ethnic Qarsherskiyan Cultural Renaissance, or the Qarsherskiyan Revolution. During the Truth Searching Movement of 1991, many atheists of Ethnic Qarsherskiyan descent converted to Manichaeism, Zoroastrianism, Islam, and other religions in an attempt to reconnect with their oriental heritage and find religious beliefs that they feel contain a sense of purpose for humanity to exist. There are around 527 Manichaens among the 497,876 Ethnic Qarsherskiyan people who live in the Eastern United States of America. 234 of them were born into Manichaeism after their parents converted. Most of them are isolationist and hide their religious identity to protect themselves from discrimination and hatred by far-right conspiracy groups which claim that Manichaens are satanic and evil. Qarsherskiyan Manichaeism is heavily influenced by Shia Islam, as most Ethnic Qarsherskiyan people are Shia Muslims. Qarsherskiyan Manichaeism is a syncretic phenomenon where elements of Zoroastrianism, Protestant Christianity, and Shia Islam have fused. Many Qarsherskiyan Manichaens accept the prophethood of Jesus and Muhammad, and they say "peace be upon him" after the names of prophets and pious religious leaders including Mani. Most Qarsherskiyan Manichaens live in the Northern suburbs of Newport News, Virginia and in the Grafton area of Yorktown, Virginia as well as in Keyser, West Virginia and Cumberland, Maryland and Bedford, Pennsylvania. A couple of Qarsherskiyan Manichaens live in Elizabeth City, North Carolina and in the cities of Lorain, Vermillion, Huron, Sandusky, and Lorain in Ohio. Qarsherskiyan Manichaens get along well with Shia Muslims, Protestant and Catholic Christians, Eastern Orthodox Christians, Jews, Zoroastrians, Wiccans, and other religious communities within the Qarsherskiyan Tribe.