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> Another asymmetry is that it's possible to hold scientific and religious beliefs at the same time (thanks to the above), but never two different religions at
by shakna 4y ago
> Another asymmetry is that it's possible to hold scientific and religious beliefs at the same time (thanks to the above), but never two different religions at the same time.
That's not true at all. Religious syncretism is a very old concept, and involves the blending of religions.
There are Catholic Buddhists, for example, and there have been those professing to follow that since around the 1600s. You'll also find many blends of traditional Incan beliefs and Catholicism, despite the surface-level incompatibilities, in South America.
One specific example might be Caodaism, which blends elements of Catholicism, Buddhism, and Taoism. Caodaism has about 2.5Mil followers in Vietnam. One of the core tenants of the religion is that we are now living in a period of time called the Third Amnesty, the end of which will be marked by the syncretism of _all_ religions into one.
- igouy 4y ago> … the blending of religions. And when they conflict? We can blend oil and vinegar but they'll settle out into oil and vinegar.
- shakna 4y agoIncan beliefs are polytheistic, and Catholicism is monotheistic. There are still a myriad of syncretic forms of the two.
- igouy 4y agoDoesn't seem like you responded to the question?
- shakna 4y agoPolytheism and monotheism are completely incompatible. However, syncretic religions of incompatible elements actually exist. Thus, the assumption that they can't, is wrong.
- igouy 4y agoThat doesn't seem like holding incompatible religious beliefs at the same time ("… possible to hold scientific and religious beliefs at the same time…"). That seems like picking one religious belief over another, on an ad hoc basis.
- shakna 4y ago> "never two different religions at the same time."
- igouy 4y agoAnd "syncretic religions of incompatible elements" are neither of the original "two different religions" but a new third religion.
- shakna 4y agoSo you're splitting the concept between "religious syncretism" and "double belonging", and claiming that the latter [0] is impossible? [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiple_religious_belonging https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiple_religious_belonging
- igouy 4y agoPlease don't put your words in my mouth.
- deleted 4y ago[deleted]
- analog31 4y agoUltimately it's 8 billion religions. It all breaks down when you look at what people believe at an individual level. It's possible that no two people believe the same thing, even if they claim to be adherents to the same sect. And if an individual's beliefs are at odds with their church, who am I to decide who's right, if I don't even share the beliefs of either? For instance, the majority of American Catholics believe it's OK to use birth control. So, who represents "Catholicism," the people or the church fathers? It's just my nature to give benefit of the doubt to the people.
- yellowapple 4y agoHell, there's even the hypothesis that Christianity itself is a blend of Buddhism and Judaism.