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Here’s a basic definition of syncretism taken from Wikipedia:
Syncretism is the attempt to reconcile disparate or contrary beliefs, often while melding practices of various schools of thought. This may involve attempts to merge and analogise several originally discrete traditions, especially in the theology and mythology of religion, and thus assert an underlying unity allowing for an inclusive approach to other faiths.
How are we to understand this concept? I raise this question because I think some people may construe this incorrectly. For example, if Religion A holds a belief in monotheism, and later on Religion B also holds the same thing, does this mean that Religion B merely copied Religion A’s belief? I think that this conclusion is possible, but not necessary. IMO, following the “necessary” interpretation makes it easy to dismiss Religion B on grounds that it was a fabrication, and the leaders of Religion B are seen as political agents using religion to achieve their power-hungry ends. This reduces religious belief to a means of “crowd control”, something that I think some modern scholars may well believe.
Islam is a very good example of religious syncretism at work. Originally the Quraysh (Muhammad's tribe) and their regional cousins, worshiped a moon goddess. When Muhammad had Islam and the Koran revealed to him, he replaced the moon goddess with Allah, but many of the symbols of the moon goddess cult (the crescent moon for example) were retained. The same thing happened with Christianity and paganism. Instead of the winter solstice (epiphany) festival we now have Christmas. Instead of the spring equinox festival we now have Easter etc….Often syncretism is used to get new adherents to join a new religion. In History the study of religious syncretism is employed by the History of Religions school of thought.
Yes, I agree that syncretism has been employed in Christianity to a high degree; this is clear in early Christian art and architecture, as well as things like the festival of Lupercalia, Sol Invictus, and possibly others that were transformed under Christianity. That said, I would disagree with people who may claim that Christianity is a pagan religion because of this.BTW, nice to see you around here, Donnie. 🙂
Christianity was as paganized as paganism was Christianized, but Christianity was Judaized first. It must be remembered that Christians were a sect of Judaism in the very beginning. I would argue that syncretism is nearly impossible to stop. As a Christian though, I feel God knows how to deal with it and even use it to keep His message fresh for future generations while preserving His core message at the same time. As a historian, I know that all socio/religious movements will change as cultures change. Change is inevitable, and the recycling of old ideas into new ones is usually the way it works.
