I chose syncretism as the word of the week in part because I miss my Religious Studies professor from SHU, (Dr. Kelly), and partly because I spent the morning playing harp for two church services.
Syncretism refers to the blending, or attempted amalgamation of different religions, cultures, or schools of thought. The services I played today were at a Lutheran church, and the emphasis of the sermon was on the way experiences (with God) inform the primarily doctrine-based Lutheran faith. The overall point was that the texts give members of the congregation immutable proof that God loves them, but that 'Mountaintop Moments' with Him are the experiential proof that He walks with them always.
So. I don't personally subscribe to organized religion but I respect the comfort people find in their Faith. My exposure to Judaism and Christianity have come largely from performing as a musician at various ceremonies and my exposure to the major World Religions didn't really happen until college. To me, syncretism doesn't mean I have to believe in everything at the same time, it just means that I can appreciate the myriad ways humans attempt to make sense of existence. I think there is discourse about interfaith approaches and syncretism being opposed to one another but I have not personally participated in such discussions.
Anyway, have a joke about it instead.
