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Religious "SYNCRETISM" A tablet from the on-going INTERNET BOOK, "The Doctor's Terrific Tablets", ( http://www.terrific-tabs.com ) by John N. Todd III, M. D. (link)
SEE related "tablet": Rigid Doctrinism (link) AND: Circumventing God (link) AND: The TRUTH... God's TRUTH (link) Posted here 7/02; "Doctored": 8/02; 11/02; 12/02; 2/03; 3/03; 4/03; 11/03; 8/04; 3/05; 6/05; 10/05; 10/06; 2/20/07 CLICK HERE to go to the "FRONT PAGE" of "The Doctor's Terrific Tablets" CLICK HERE for ALPHABETICAL INDEX of this entire WEBSITE CLICK HERE to EMAIL your thoughts to the author A dictionary definition: "Syncretism is the process by which elements of one religion are assimilated into another religion, resulting in a change in the fundamental tenets or nature of those religions. It is the union of two or more opposite beliefs.... so that the synthesized form is a new thing. It is not always a total fusion, but may be a combination of separate segments that retain identifiable compartments. Originally a political term, 'syncretism' was used to describe the joining together of rival Greek forces on the Isle of Crete in opposition to a common enemy." SYNCRETISM.... a "churchy" word, meaning "the mixing or blending together of various religious beliefs and traditions". I recently heard this word on a TV news program.... and I was stunned and fascinated to learn its definition.... and its "religious" implication. On this TV show, where I heard the word "syncretism", someone reported that a group of protestant ministers, Roman Catholic priests, Orthodox priests, rabbis, a Hindu cleric, and a Muslim mullah.... had sat on the same stage (In New York City, after "9/11").... all participating in a group "healing" convocation, trying to soothe damaged feelings, and attempting to answer questions concerning the spiritual implications of the "9/11" tragedy. Each of these religious leaders prayed to our Almighty God.... and the audience held hands, and asked God for His wisdom and guidance. (See link Good and Evil from God.) At least one Lutheran listener reported this gathering (of people and leaders of various sects and doctrines) to the hierarchy of his church.... and the church concluded that the above-mentioned prayer-gathering of ministers of various "faiths" was a manifestation of "religious syncretism" -- a violation of that church's dogma, which apparently rejects the consideration or inclusion of any beliefs that differ from their beliefs. The word "pagan" was used to categorize the beliefs of those whose "faith" does not agree with the tenets of the Lutheran sect. The "leaders" of that Lutheran church thus decided that the Lutheran minister who participated in the prayer-convocation was "guilty" of syncretism.... and that the preacher must be reprimanded or punished.... by their church's hierarchy. (Later, on 7/28/02, a radio newscast -- which my wife and I heard -- revealed that a "rift" has developed in the Lutheran Church, concerning the "punishment" of the Lutheran minister who participated in the public "9/11" prayer-session [described above]. It seems that a split has developed in the Lutheran church.... and that many "Lutherans" disagree with the decision of the church "bosses" to reprimand the Lutheran preacher. The newscast on 7/28/02 indicated that funding of "The Lutheran Hour", on radio, was being jeopardized by this "rift" in the Lutheran church.) Seemingly, according to some sects, if a minister in (say) a Lutheran church, seems to condone or graciously allow the expression of beliefs by a Muslim mullah, or a Hindu priest (for example).... then the Lutheran minister is considered "guilty" of "syncretism".... and can be punished or excluded by the (human) leadership of his church. (Sometimes, in other examples, a pastor's "syncretic" malfeasance may be so severe that the minister is "laicized" -- kicked-out of the ministry, and returned to the "laity" -- by a church's authoritarian leadership.) In other words, in some "faiths", there is evidently a claim that God has been circumscribed and restricted by that particular "faith"..... and that there must be no consideration of any other spiritual "beliefs", or doctrines.... as if to propose that God Himself has accepted and endorsed a "one-and-only-one" human set-of-beliefs.... and that, therefore, God will hear only the prayers and pleas and hopes and promises and petitions and thanksgiving of a solitary man-made, rigidly-doctrinal religious group. This restrictive attitude reflects doctrinal rigidity (link).... a concept that is totally unacceptable, in my understanding of our Supreme God. (See link Restricting God to human design and specifications.) What is your attitude, and understanding? Do you and your church have all the answers.... and are all of us, in this world -- who disagree with you -- therefore doomed (by God) to perdition? Think about it, again. 2/20/07 |