Syncretistic Religion

[hartlandcat]

A person follows a syncretistic religion when they have a faith which includes aspects from more than one religion – often referred to as 'salad-bar religion' or 'shopping-cart religion' by some people. It is the norm in parts of Asia (especially Japan) and is also very common in Britain (amongst other places).

Here's an article about whether or not a person can be both a Christian and a Wiccan, which could be one example of a syncretistic religion:
http://www.religioustolerance.org/witchcr5.htm

What do you think about the idea of having a faith which combines elements from more than one religion?

 

[Arthra]

Another way I think to describe this phenomena I think is to call it "self-styled religion"... I think to a certain extent many people go through this or try it than is known.

People explore religions and adopt ideas ...

On the face of it there's nothing wrong with this approach at least in the beginning and in my opinion if it is leading somewhere...

But in time I feel there can be draw backs..

One drawback is that over time there is no other criteria one can use but what one decides.. and so if there comes a time when a ethical or spiritual issue developes the tendency is just to drop whatever is annoying and adopt a new direction.. that can be good at least in the short term..

People tend to argue this way against others with more formal religious training.

But after a while I believe real progress is limited because there's no outside criteria to work from.

- Art

 

[rahul_sharma]

Isn't Bahai faith itself a syncretistic religion?

 

[Arthra]

Thanks Rahul!

Isn't Bahai faith itself a syncretistic religion?

Baha'i Faith is not a self-styled religion and has it's own Writings and structure with principles... When people say "Syncretism" they think you are simply adding what you want from various religions. The Baha'i Faith is for the reconciliation of the religions but doesn't ignore each has it's unique character.

You might enjoy this article on the subject:

http://bahai-library.com/articles/rg.syncretism.html

- Art

 

[psychedelicist]

I think of it as religious evolution. It seems like every religion got it partly right, but most are now facing challenges from science, and are adapted to fit this new information.

Of course, the evolution of ideas (now being called 'memetics' by the people wanting to turn it into some kind of new pseudoscience) can't really be compared to biological evolution, since even the stupidest of ideas seem to flourish the best (perhaps because simpler, incorrect ideas are easier to comprehend/cope with than complex but correct ideas). An example is the growing trend of scientology, while the infinitely more true but complex world of quantum physics is all but ignored by modern society.

Nevertheless, it is important to see ideas as building off of older ideas, rather than there being truly 'new' ideas. Out of the idea of judaism came christianity, which incorporated many other ideas ('jesus as savior', as well as many ideas about a 'new covenant' that came with him), and from christianity came mormonism, etc. So in this sense christianity, mormonism, and really any religion but the 'first religion', whatever it might have been, would all be syncretistic to a degree.

 

[morningstar2651]

A person follows a syncretistic religion when they have a faith which includes aspects from more than one religion – often referred to as 'salad-bar religion' or 'shopping-cart religion' by some people. It is the norm in parts of Asia (especially Japan) and is also very common in Britain (amongst other places).

Here's an article about whether or not a person can be both a Christian and a Wiccan, which could be one example of a syncretistic religion:
http://www.religioustolerance.org/witchcr5.htm

What do you think about the idea of having a faith which combines elements from more than one religion?

The "problem", if it can be called a problem, is that you usually can't combine all the beliefs of two religions into one. It requires sacrifice of some practices and beliefs.