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extending text and adding references
In the modern world, religions such as [[Unitarianism]] could be considered syncretic in that it is a blending of differing belief systems that are constantly evolving.
In the modern world, religions such as [[Unitarianism]] could be considered syncretic in that it is a blending of differing belief systems that are constantly evolving.
Syncretism should not be confused with the adoption of formal elements of other religions into Christianity for missionary reasons.{{#tag:ref|cf.''"For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you."'' (Acts 17:23, New International Version)<ref>{{cite web
|title=Acts 17:23
|url=http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+17:23&version=NIV
|publisher=BibleGateway.com
|quote=Credit:Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®}}</ref>|group=note}} It is not just simultaneous practice of two unrelated religions motivated either by ''external pressure'' or ''inner anxiety'' but it rather equates heterogeneous religious elements and thereby changes their ''original meaning'' without admitting such change.
An attempt to penetrate deeply into the heart of the [[Christian]] [[doctrine]] by applying the process of syncretistic assimilation was performed by [[gnosticism]].<ref name="Christopaganism">{{cite book
|title=Christopaganism or Indigenous Christianity?
|author=Peter Beyerhaus
|editors=Tetsunao Yamamori, Charles R. Taber
|publisher=William-Carey Library
|location=South Pasadena, California
|year=1975
|chapter=6:Possesio and Syncretism in Biblical Perspective
|pages=126-127
|isbn=0-87808-423-1
|url=http://books.google.no/books?ei=-zCYUNfxFMvmtQbx_IGwCQ&id=QjYQAQAAIAAJ&dq=Yamamori+Christopaganism&q=Syncretism#search_anchor
}}</ref>
==Semantic Origin==
The Word ‘syncretism’ does not expicitly occur in the Bible. Still, the reality of it was an ever-present phenomenon throuout the biblical history. According to [[Plutarch]], the semantic origin of the term relates to the island of [[Crete]]. The rivaling [[Greek]] tribes there were usually involved in minor warfare against each other. However, as soon as the island was attacked by a common enemy from outside, they suddenly were able to agree on formation of military alliance. Since then word ‘syncretism’ carries a note of an opportunistic fraternization without a deeper conviction. <ref name="Christopaganism"/>
==Forms of Syncretism==
Hendrick Kraemer, the late missiologist, distinguished between two forms of syncretism that could be found in biblical times as well:<ref name="Christopaganism"/>
*spontaneous primitive syncretism as a popular religious tendency and
*conscious, philosophical construction of syncretism attempted typically by religious thinkers or by political rulers.
==Notes==
<references group=note/>
==References==
<references/>
==See Also==
[[Gnosticism]]
[[Category:Heresies]]
[[Category:Heresies]]
[[Category:Religion]]
[[Category:Religion]]