
A Speakers' Corner is an area where open-air public speaking, debate, and discussion are allowed. The original and most noted is in the north-east corner of Hyde Park in London, England. Speakers here may talk on any subject, as long as the police consider their speeches lawful, although this right is not restricted to Speakers' Corner only. Contrary to popular belief, there is no immunity from the law, nor are any subjects proscribed, but in practice the police intervene only when they receive a complaint. Speakers' Corner is often held up to demonstrate freedom of speech, as anyone can turn up unannounced and talk on almost any subject, although always at the risk of being heckled by regulars.

Gnosticism (from Ancient Greek: gnostikos, "having knowledge") is a modern name for a variety of ancient religious ideas and systems. Originating in Jewish-Christian milieus in the first and second century AD. These systems believed that the material world is created by an emanation of the highest God, trapping the divine spark within the human body.