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'''Syncretism''' is the attempt to reconcile different schools of thought, most notably [[religion]]s.  Syncretism takes place when foreign beliefs are introduced into an indigenous belief system, i.e. missionaries. 

'''Syncretism''' is the attempt to reconcile different schools of thought, most notably [[religion]]s.  Syncretism takes place when foreign beliefs are introduced into an indigenous belief system.

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.

==Semantic Origin==

==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 the word ‘''syncretism''’ carries a note of ''an opportunistic fraternization without a deeper conviction''. <ref name="Christopaganism"/>

The Word ‘''syncretism''’ does not explicitly occur in the Bible. Still, the reality of it was an ever-present phenomenon throughout the biblical history. According to [[Plutarch]], the semantic origin of the term relates to the island of [[Crete]]. The rivalling [[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 the word ‘''syncretism''’ carries a note of ''an opportunistic fraternization without a deeper conviction''. <ref name="Christopaganism"/>

==Forms of Syncretism==

==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"/>

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

*spontaneous primitive syncretism as a popular religious tendency and

*conscious, philosophical construction of syncretism attempted typically by religious thinkers or by political rulers.

*conscious, philosophical construction of syncretism attempted typically by religious thinkers or by political rulers.{{#tag:ref|cf. Attempts to manipulate (edit) the Scripture by Nazis and proponents of LGBT ideology described in section [[Gnosticism#Gnosticism_Today|Gnosticism Today]].|group=note}}

==Notes==

==Notes==