Does a sect like this exist?

[PureExistence1]

Assalamualaikum everyone,

after having a few discussions with non-muslims regarding Islam in general and Shia in particular, it seems that the main thing or issue these people have, has to do with the existence of our current Imam and occultation.

For them, it just seems highly unlikely or unbelievable that we would have a currently living Imam(عليه السلام) in occultation for hundreds of years. Stating Prophet Noohs(عليه السلام) long lifespan does nothing for me in these discussions.

Anyhow, these discussions caused me to wonder, are there any sects of Shia who believe completely in the rights of all the Imams and also in the existence of the Imam of the time and in his ruling at some point in time, but do not believe in his current existence now and the concept of him currently being in occultation and hidden from the average Muslim?

I know Sunnis don't believe he is alive yet, that he will be born at a later time and rise then, but I'm not talking about sects of sunnism. I'm asking strictly about any Shia sects who believe this.

Thanks for your time, jazakAllah kheyr.

[Leibniz]

Zaidis believe that Mehdi shall be born and revealed before the end of times.

[313_Waiter]

On 1/13/2022 at 3:50 PM, PureExistence1 said:

Stating Prophet Noohs(عليه السلام) long lifespan does nothing for me in these discussions.

Salaam, I don’t think they are trying to prove the Imam’s (عليه السلام) existence through this. 
From my understanding, what they are doing is:

• We believe the Qur’an is true (as Muslims)
• The Quran says that Noah had a lengthy lifespan (950 years)
• Thus, it is conceivable that Imam Mahdi (عليه السلام) has a long lifespan

[Ashvazdanghe]

17 hours ago, Leibniz said:

Zaidis believe that Mehdi shall be born and revealed before the end of times.

Salam this is just sunni belief  but on the other hand Zaidis belive  that every descendant  of lady Fatima (sa) who rises against  injustice is an Imam which if he fullfils all conditions  of Imamate  then there is hope that he will be Mahdi which several  Imams of them likewise Nafs Zakya has announced  themselves  as Mahdi which none of them could  fulfill  all conditions  for being Mahdi.

Quote

Uprising of Muhammad b. 'Abd Allah al-Mahd

Main article: Uprising of al-Nafs al-Zakiyya

Muhammad b. 'Abd Allah b. al-Hasan, also known as al-Nafs al-Zakiyya (the Pure Soul), was regarded by some people as the Mahdi. Before the victory of Abbasid revolution, al-Mansur and al-Saffah paid allegiance to him and were of his missionaries. Muhammad's revolt took place in 145/762-63 in Medina, where he was called Amir al-Mu'minin (the Commander of the Faithful). When al-Mansur became the caliph, he wrote Muhammad letters, threatening him but at the same time giving him safety if he ended his revolt. Muhammad disregarded al-Mansur's letters, so the latter send an army to Medina. In the battle that took place there, Muhammad's revolt was suppressed and Muhammad himself was killed; his head was circulated in Kufa and then taken to the caliph.

https://en.wikishia.net/view/Zaydiyya

[Leibniz]

2 hours ago, Ashvazdanghe said:

Salam this is just sunni belief  but on the other hand Zaidis belive  that every descendant  of lady Fatima (sa) who rises against  injustice is an Imam which if he fullfils all conditions  of Imamate  then there is hope that he will be Mahdi which several  Imams of them likewise Nafs Zakya has announced  themselves  as Mahdi which none of them could  fulfill  all conditions  for being Mahdi.

https://en.wikishia.net/view/Zaydiyya

Read here the Zaidi view of Mahdi