Syncretism refers to the fusion of different belief systems, particularly in religion. It involves adding elements of one religion to a dominant religion to create a new system. Examples include Gnosticism emerging from the influences of Judaism, Christianity, and Greek philosophy. Voodoo combined elements of African, Catholic, and Native American traditions without a single scripture or authority. Santeria merged aspects of Yoruba mythology brought by slaves with Catholicism and indigenous American traditions, involving worship of Orisha spirits and animal sacrifice. The Bible warns against syncretism, saying we should worship God in spirit and truth alone rather than blending paganism with religious truth.

1. Syncretism
Syncretism

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

3. Syncretism
What is
religious
Syncretism?

4. 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

5. origin

6. 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.

7. Syncretism
Voodoo

10. • combination of various African, Catholic and
Native American traditions.
• has no scripture or world authority

11. • 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.

12. 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.

13. Santeria

14. 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.

15. 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

16. 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.

17. Shinto

18. Ancient religion of Japan.
( 1000 B.C.)
believes that spiritual powers exist
in the natural world.

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. 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)