So, what is Syncretic Religion? (tradition, contradiction, beliefs, choice)

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by Victor

You know, not that my opinion counts on this but syncretic does seem appropriate for UU.

Hi Victor. The thing is that not all UUs are syncretic. I pretty much am. My personal theology is an attempt to reconcile the differences in the various world religions, and my spiritual practice borrows from Paganism, Buddhism, Hinduism Judaism, and Christianity. But, for someone like my senior minister, he respects other religious traditions and may even quote the Buddha now and then, but his theology and spiritual practice come almost entirely from a liberal (contemplative) Christian tradition and he feels no need for it to be otherwise. And there are Buddhist and Pagan leaning UUs who really don't want to have much to do with Christianity. And for atheist UUs, they may not even have a spiritual practice. To say that UU as a whole is syncretic kinda implies that each UU is syncretic, and some UUs would object to that.


I have appreciated the constructive input from two of my favorite non-UUs ...but I'm still hopin' for UUs to chime in!

[Victor]

Originally Posted by lilithu

Hi Victor. The thing is that not all UUs are syncretic. I pretty much am. My personal theology is an attempt to reconcile the differences in the various world religions, and my spiritual practice borrows from Paganism, Buddhism, Hinduism Judaism, and Christianity. But, for someone like my senior minister, he respects other religious traditions and may even quote the Buddha now and then, but his theology and spiritual practice come almost entirely from a liberal (contemplative) Christian tradition and he feels no need for it to be otherwise. And there are Buddhist and Pagan leaning UUs who really don't want to have much to do with Christianity. And for atheist UUs, they may not even have a spiritual practice. To say that UU as a whole is syncretic kinda implies that each UU is syncretic, and some UUs would object to that.


I have appreciated the constructive input from two of my favorite non-UUs ...but I'm still hopin' for UUs to chime in!

I see, then I haven't the slightest idea where it could go.

[Halcyon]

Originally Posted by lilithu

Are there any other examples of "omnitheism?"

Hmmm. I don't know of any specific groups. But Mysticism could certainly fit into the category, as could the beliefs behind Chaos Magick.

There aren't that many inclusive religions out there.

Originally Posted by lilithu

So am I a panentheist AND an omnitheist?

As far as i can tell, you can be anything and an omnitheist, the article says;

Omnitheism is the belief that every religion contains at its core an appreciation of the nature of the universe.

[Booko]

I hope you don't mind if I stick my beak in here, but for what it's worth, if I were looking for UU, Syncretic Religions makes sense to me, though I realize that's not a perfect fit.

It's not a perfect fit to put Baha'i under Abrahamic religions either, since we're *very* pluralistic and recognize the Dharmic religions as foundational as well, but it's close enough that people would know where to find us.

The thing is...if someone were looking for an area for a religion, how can we make it easiest for them to find it?

Well, just my $0.02.

[Terrywoodenpic]

Reading through this thread are you all sure UU's are a religion at all.

[des]

Originally Posted by Booko

I hope you don't mind if I stick my beak in here, but for what it's worth, if I were looking for UU, Syncretic Religions makes sense to me, though I realize that's not a perfect fit.

It's not a perfect fit to put Baha'i under Abrahamic religions either, since we're *very* pluralistic and recognize the Dharmic religions as foundational as well, but it's close enough that people would know where to find us.

The thing is...if someone were looking for an area for a religion, how can we make it easiest for them to find it?

Well, just my $0.02.

I suppose they could have used the term 20-21th Century, but that wouldn't have made everyone happy either, since the roots are earlier. (Baha'i clearly has roots in Islam, afaik.)

You could do inclusive religions, maybe someone wouldnt' like that either. As Baha'is will attest some Abrahamic religions are MORE inclusive too. (I know some Unity people also. They seem to be pretty inclusive. Although their roots are clearly Protestant.)

I think I have the perfect category. "A group that won't be happy no matter where we place them". LOL! :-)

Someone asked whether UU was a religion. I think they should start a new thread on that one. It sounds fun. I'm guessing no one will agree. :-)

--des

[des]

I suppose they could have used the term 20-21th Century, but that wouldn't have made everyone happy either, since the roots are earlier. (Baha'i clearly has roots in Islam, afaik.) (Of course by similar thinking then UU should be there too, because its roots are in Christianity. But I think the tree took a turn. :-))

You could do inclusive religions, maybe someone wouldnt' like that either. As Baha'is will attest some Abrahamic religions are MORE inclusive too. (I know some Unity people also. They seem to be pretty inclusive. Although their roots are clearly Protestant.)

Note: Of course this term "inclusive" is used to mean religious practice (i.e. taking in practices from other traditions)-- not in whether they think that other ways are valid. I think most progressives of any faith believe that the other paths are valid (no not all other paths, I am limiting this.)

I think I have the perfect category. "A group that won't be happy no matter where we place them". LOL! :-)

Someone asked whether UU was a religion. I think they should start a new thread on that one. It sounds fun. I'm guessing no one will agree. :-)

--des

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by Halcyon

Hmmm. I don't know of any specific groups. But Mysticism could certainly fit into the category, as could the beliefs behind Chaos Magick.

The thing is... mysticism is not a religion. It is an approach to religion. There are mystical approaches to nearly all the major religions. UU has a strong mystical heritage, believe it or not. Especially our Trasncendentalists, including Ralph Waldo Emerson.

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by Terrywoodenpic

Reading through this thread are you all sure UU's are a religion at all.

We consider ourselves a religion. Anyone who thinks otherwise is welcome to start a thread in the debates forum. I'm sure it's been debated before but it's a good topic - what constitutes a religion?