Janoists

Janoists are a fictional religious group featured in the 1987 novel "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood. Within the narrative, Janoists are described as a fringe sect that adheres to a strict interpretation of certain religious texts, particularly those that emphasize purity and the subjugation of women. The organization is presented as one of the many religious groups that existed prior to the establishment of the Republic of Gilead, and its doctrines are implied to have contributed to the ideological foundations of Gilead's society.

The Janoists' beliefs are characterized by a patriarchal worldview and a focus on rigid social roles. Their teachings are depicted as valuing obedience and submission, especially from women, and promoting a literalist approach to scripture that justifies their hierarchical social structure. While not a dominant force in the pre-Gilead era, their extreme views are shown to have found fertile ground and were absorbed and amplified by the new theocratic regime. The term "Janoist" itself is a neologism created by Atwood for the novel, suggesting a connection to Janus, the Roman god of beginnings, endings, and duality, perhaps reflecting the group's perceived attempt to return to an idealized, albeit oppressive, past.