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Religious Studies & Theology vocabulary · History of Religions

Syncretism

Meaning in religious studies & theology, with examples

/ˈsɪŋkrətɪzəm/nounAdvanced term

In religious studies & theology, syncretism means: The blending of beliefs, practices or symbols from different religious traditions into a new form.

In Turkish: senkretizm, bağdaştırmacılık, dinsel kaynaşma

How it is used

Used for cases such as the Greco-Egyptian cult of Serapis, Afro-Caribbean religions and shared saint veneration among Muslims and Christians in Anatolia and the Balkans. The adjective is syncretic. Some scholars avoid the term because it can suggest that 'pure' religions ever existed.

Example sentences

  1. The cult of Serapis in Ptolemaic Egypt is a classic example of religious syncretism.

  2. Some scholars avoid the word syncretism, arguing that every tradition has always mixed with others.

Common collocations

  • religious syncretism
  • syncretic practices
  • syncretic traditions
  • cultural syncretism
  • comparative religionThe academic study of the similarities and differences between religions, such as their beliefs, rituals, scriptures and institutions.
  • heresyA belief or teaching that the authorities of a religious community judge to be contrary to its accepted doctrine.
  • DaoismA Chinese religious and philosophical tradition centred on the Dao, 'the Way', the natural order of the universe, and associated with the Daodejing and the sage Laozi.
  • SikhismA monotheistic religion founded by Guru Nanak in the Punjab region of South Asia around 1500 and shaped by ten successive human Gurus.

More terms: History of Religions

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