Syncretism/Anti-Syncretism
The Politics of Religious Synthesis
Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Anthropology
| Author: | ISBN: | 9781134833948 | |
| Publisher: | Taylor and Francis | Publication: | December 16, 2003 |
| Imprint: | Routledge | Language: | English |
| Author: | |
| ISBN: | 9781134833948 |
| Publisher: | Taylor and Francis |
| Publication: | December 16, 2003 |
| Imprint: | Routledge |
| Language: | English |
Syncretism - the synthesis of different religious - is a contentious word. Some regard it as a pejorative term, referring to local versions of notionally standard `world religions' which are deemed `inauthentic' because saturated with indigenous content. Syncretic versions of Christianity do not conform to `official' (read `European') models. In other contexts however, the syncretic amalgamation of religions may be validated as a mode of resistance to colonial hegemony, a sign of cultural survival, or as a means of authorising political dominance in a multicultural state.
In Syncretism/Anti-Syncretism the contributors explore the issues of agency and power which are integral to the very process of syncretism and to the competing discourses surrounding the term.
Syncretism - the synthesis of different religious - is a contentious word. Some regard it as a pejorative term, referring to local versions of notionally standard `world religions' which are deemed `inauthentic' because saturated with indigenous content. Syncretic versions of Christianity do not conform to `official' (read `European') models. In other contexts however, the syncretic amalgamation of religions may be validated as a mode of resistance to colonial hegemony, a sign of cultural survival, or as a means of authorising political dominance in a multicultural state.
In Syncretism/Anti-Syncretism the contributors explore the issues of agency and power which are integral to the very process of syncretism and to the competing discourses surrounding the term.
