Syncretism.....Can Mixing Religious Ideas Lead to the Truth?

[Deeje]

I see so many here at RF adopting a range of beliefs from various religious systems and making up what appears to be their own personal religions.

How authentic can such a blend of religions be, outside of that individual?

Does it matter if no one else shares that mix of beliefs?

What is the motive behind syncretism, and is it merely “religion shopping” or selecting “ingredients” to fit personal religious tastes?

What role does God (or gods) play in the choices?

How many versions of religious truth can there be?

How can one find the diamond in a pile of broken glass?

Help me understand......

 

[Secret Chief]

Such mixing is not limited to the individual is it?

 

[ADigitalArtist]

Imo religious Orthodoxy is no more demonstrably true than religious syncreticism. Being old, new, popular, unpopular, full of civilizations of beliefs or just one individual, none of this is evidence of truth.

We all take in what seems true to us and we all hope we've got it right.

 

[Deeje]

Such mixing is not limited to the individual is it?

I have observed that many individuals select beliefs that sit well with them from various sources, and adopt this position as their own “religion”, whereas others will adopt a religion that is already a mix of their own tribal beliefs mixed with say, “aspects” of Roman Catholicism.

In nations where spiritism is a large part of their belief system, then that will still feature strongly in the mix, even though it is forbidden in the adopted religion.

I see many incorporating aspects of Buddhism because many are attracted by the peaceful nature of its tenets.

When does a mix become a bastardization?

 

[Deeje]

Imo religious Orthodoxy is no more demonstrably true than religious syncreticism. Being old, new, popular, unpopular, full of civilizations of beliefs or just one individual, none of this is evidence of truth.

We all take in what seems true to us and we all hope we've got it right.

What role does God (or gods) play in our decisions? Does this influence play any part? Or is it left entirely up to us to find the diamond? How can we tell if the broken glass looks just like a diamond which is uncut?

 

[Twilight Hue]

I see so many here at RF adopting a range of beliefs from various religious systems and making up what appears to be their own personal religions.

How authentic can such a blend of religions be, outside of that individual?

Does it matter if no one else shares that mix of beliefs?

What is the motive behind syncretism, and is it merely “religion shopping” or selecting “ingredients” to fit personal religious tastes?

What role does God (or gods) play in the choices?

How many versions of religious truth can there be?

How can one find the diamond in a pile of broken glass?

Help me understand......

I don't see how the truth of the matter nessitates adoption of religious enhancements when it's something that is clearly pervasive on its own merits.

 

[Nakosis]

I see so many here at RF adopting a range of beliefs from various religious systems and making up what appears to be their own personal religions.

How authentic can such a blend of religions be, outside of that individual?

Does it matter if no one else shares that mix of beliefs?

What is the motive behind syncretism, and is it merely “religion shopping” or selecting “ingredients” to fit personal religious tastes?

What role does God (or gods) play in the choices?

How many versions of religious truth can there be?

How can one find the diamond in a pile of broken glass?

Help me understand......

IMO, such endeavors lead to insanity.
Which is part of the reason I instead chose to be an atheist.
Uh... to avoid the insanity part.

 

[Secret Chief]

When does a mix become a bastardization?

When it is not fruitful?

 

[Deeje]

I don't see how the truth of the matter nessitates adoption of religious enhancements when it's something that is clearly pervasive on its own merits.

That’s an interesting point.....if there is just one truth, but people find parts of it uncomfortable or unacceptable in their worldview, are they then at liberty to add any of their own enhancements to make it more acceptable to themselves?

Can we create or accept a religion that is not truth, and expect that our own view of God or religion is all that matters.....that somehow God (or gods) don’t really care if we select unrelated elements to formulate our own religion?

Are we then just fooling ourselves by creating our own religious bubble that can accommodate a single membership?

 

[Deeje]

IMO, such endeavors lead to insanity.
Which is part of the reason I instead chose to be an atheist.
Uh... to avoid the insanity part.

Yes indeed....it can lead to very unstable thinking processes in those who have the propensity to become fanatical. Fanaticism can be seen in many areas (sport, celebrities, politics...as well as religion) and none of it supports intelligence IMO.....but the passion seems to be the same for some reason.

I completely understand why many decide to opt out and divorce themselves from the whole silly scene. But some simply transfer their fanaticism to another subject.

 

[Deeje]

When it is not fruitful?

What is “fruitful” in your understanding?

 

[Unveiled Artist]

Can we create or accept a religion that is not truth, and expect that our own view of God or religion is all that matters.....that somehow God (or gods) don’t really care if we select unrelated elements to formulate our own religion?

To answer your OP with this you'd have to approach the question with a clean slate. If you already determined they don't have the truth cause of how they practice religion it's just confirming what you already know.

People experience what you experience with god from various sources, practices, and ideas. These things regardless if it's from ten religions are one ideally shapes a person's life so they can find who they are and their purpose etc. It's a human thing.

One religions god is irrelevant as it is just one trait from religions syncretics can keep or ignore.

I don't care for cherry picking religions but I do get the purpose and who is it for us to know what people experience from it.

What type of understanding are you looking for?

 

[Secret Chief]

What is “fruitful” in your understanding?

Assists, beneficial, improves, gives meaning, gives solace, ...

 

[sun rise]

How many versions of religious truth can there be?

There is only one 'truth' but many views of that truth (Blind Men and the Elephant).

Another answer is that the truth can wear different clothes for different people at different times. The clothes (religious doctrines and texts) may be different, but the underlying truth is the same.

How can one find the diamond in a pile of broken glass?

That's a poetic way of asking that question. My answer is fractal. Each piece of broken "glass" is really the same as the original diamond but on a smaller scale.

 

[crossfire]

Handy authenticity test:
If it preaches greed, hatred, or delusion, reject it as leading to long-term harm.
If it teaches cultivating a lack of greed, hatred, or delusion, accept it as leading to long-term benefit.

 

[Vinayaka]

I see so many here at RF adopting a range of beliefs from various religious systems and making up what appears to be their own personal religions.

How authentic can such a blend of religions be, outside of that individual?

Does it matter if no one else shares that mix of beliefs?

What is the motive behind syncretism, and is it merely “religion shopping” or selecting “ingredients” to fit personal religious tastes?

What role does God (or gods) play in the choices?

How many versions of religious truth can there be?

How can one find the diamond in a pile of broken glass?

Help me understand......

I believe one should tread carefully, but that using intelligent discernment, it can be okay. The main challenge, as I see it, is not looking closely, and picking two or more contradictory beliefs because they feel good at the time you hear about them. Orange juice and milk are fine on their own, but when mixed, not so much. With established tried and true sects within religions, generally all those contradictions have been worked out by wiser people before you.

I see some folks on here that hold contradictory beliefs, and will one day say something, but the very next day contradict themselves ... it begs the question: What do you really believe?

I think often syncretism is cool or trendy and done on a surface level. It doesn't take long to find major contradictions between religions if you dig deeper. Of course one option is to ignore that entirely, and pretend it simply doesn't exist.

Personally, I find it more rewarding to stick with one system, and go all in, much like monogamy. But for others, perhaps monogamy doesn't work. I'm no mind reader.

 

[Evangelicalhumanist]

I see so many here at RF adopting a range of beliefs from various religious systems and making up what appears to be their own personal religions.

How authentic can such a blend of religions be, outside of that individual?

Does it matter if no one else shares that mix of beliefs?

What is the motive behind syncretism, and is it merely “religion shopping” or selecting “ingredients” to fit personal religious tastes?

What role does God (or gods) play in the choices?

How many versions of religious truth can there be?

How can one find the diamond in a pile of broken glass?

Help me understand......

None of the above. If you are looking for "truth," follow the evidence. Making a salad out of any number of unevidenced beliefs doesn't lead to knowledge.

 

[Deeje]

To answer your OP with this you'd have to approach the question with a clean slate.

That is, I believe, a good place to start. Being able to identify whether something is authentic, means having a thorough knowledge of our chosen faith. Many do not choose their faith but simply follow family or cultural tradition, often mindlessly. These are not the people I am talking about however. I am referring to those who were taught certain things in their belief system (especially those handed down in families) but who find them objectionable for whatever reason and decide that they will retain elements of that religion and blend them with aspects of other faiths and form their very own religion. Often that "church" has a congregation of one....but that one might then go on to influence others and a sect emerges.

If you already determined they don't have the truth cause of how they practice religion it's just confirming what you already know.

There can only be one truth.....how can that not be a fact?
There are not many versions of the truth, so isn’t it up to us to find the diamond? Can we accept a piece of broken glass and accept it as a diamond, if it isn’t? Who have we fooled?

People experience what you experience with god from various sources, practices, and ideas. These things regardless if it's from ten religions are one ideally shapes a person's life so they can find who they are and their purpose etc. It's a human thing.

Ah...the “human thing”.....yes...we are free willed beings who have no end of choices. If there is a God who gave us these choices, then why are they so hard to make? Is he the one making it hard...or can we blame another entity that he exposed as the author of all false religion? How do you confuse people? Give them too many choices....using deception to enhance the difficulty. Appearances can be so misleading when you know how to use propaganda to your own advantage. Perception management is a science....the world is more subject to it than they can imagine.

One religions god is irrelevant as it is just one trait from religions syncretics can keep or ignore.

Yes...choices again...but what is the decider in our choices? Are we being drawn to religious concepts that merely suit ourselves? If there is a God whose creation we are, then shouldn’t his view of things be more important than our own? If an adjustment is required......who needs to make it? Us or God?

I don't care for cherry picking religions but I do get the purpose and who is it for us to know what people experience from it.

What type of understanding are you looking for?

I am trying to understand the mindset of those who think that a religion of their own making can possibly be the truth....especially if no one else shares it.....what part does God (or gods) play in their decisions?

 

[Alex22]

Isn't Christianity mixed with Greek beliefs? I saw a old early Christian picture of Jesus who suspiciously looked like the God Apollo. Not to mention all the Greek philosophical concepts that Christians took from the Greeks like Logos and their obsession with the philosopher Aristotle. Also in Judaism, Yahweh does not have children but Zeus does.

 

[Deeje]

There is only one 'truth' but many views of that truth (Blind Men and the Elephant).

My God is not an elephant who accepts the spiritually blind person's interpretation of him. He is an "eyes wide open" kind of God who reveals a great deal about himself in an instruction manual that he inspired his servants to write about him and his intentions towards those who presently tenant his Earth. Its a book that has been around for thousands of years but never goes out of date...in fact it is my belief that its prophesies are being played out in the world right now.

Another answer is that the truth can wear different clothes for different people at different times. The clothes (religious doctrines and texts) may be different, but the underlying truth is the same.

Again, God cares about what you wear because clothing has been used to identify people all through history. The ancient Jews were identified by their attire.
When wars are fought, it is the clothing (uniform) that normally identifies a friend or an enemy.

That's a poetic way of asking that question. My answer is fractal. Each piece of broken "glass" is really the same as the original diamond but on a smaller scale.

IMO, believing that the glass is an uncut diamond is virtually the same as accepting pyrite or iron sulfide as real gold.
You can believe that you are rich but still be a pauper.