SyncretismSyncretism

Syncretism means the fusion of two or more thought systems, and can be applied to philosophy, politics, and religion.

SyncretismWhat is religious

Syncretism?

Syncretism

the fusion of diverse religious beliefs and practices.

involves the addition of a few essential parts of one religion to a dominant religion, resulting in a new religious system.

For example, Gnosticism, Judaism, Christianity, and Greek religious philosophical concepts

origin

The fusion of cultures that was effected by the conquest of Alexander the Great (4th

century BC),

Orthodox Christianity, although influenced by other religions, generally looked negatively

upon these syncretistic movements.

SyncretismVoodoo

• combination of various African, Catholic and

Native American traditions.• has no scripture or world authority

• It is community-centered

• supports individual experience, empowerment and responsibility.

• believe in the interwinement of a visible and invisible world

o Death is a transition to the invisible world, so our predecessors are still

with us in spirit.

Origin- rooted in slavery

A 1685 law forbade the practice of African religions.Slaves forced to adopt Catholic rituals gave double meanings to practices , and in the process many of their spirits became associated with Christian saints.

Santeria

system of beliefs that merges aspects of

Yoruba mythology that were brought to the New World

by Yoruba slaves, along with catholicism and Indigenous

American traditions.

Beliefs

worship of the Orisha  "head guardians”

God is referred to as Olorun, creator of the Orisha

The animal’s blood is collected & offered to Orisha

Practices

it is preserved by an oral tradition

They learn dance, songs and healing methods

Very little information about beliefs, ritual, symbolism, practice are released to the general public.

Animal sacrifice is believed to bring good luck, purification and forgiveness of sins.

Shinto

Ancient religion of Japan.( 1000 B.C.)

believes that spiritual powers exist in the natural world.

Shinto has no founder, no official sacred texts, and no formalized system of doctrine.

Belief in kami—sacred or divine beings

The most important kami is Amaterasu, the sun goddess.

What does the Bible say about syncretism?

Syncretism is a very unfortunate phenomenon, particularly within Christianity, for it inevitably changes the Gospel, the heart of our understanding of God and His desire for our salvation.

Let's worship in spirit and in truth, not in a blend of paganism and truth.

But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will

worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such

people to worship him. (john4:24)