Syncretism - the fusion of different beliefs into one religious system - has long been controversial in scholarship. It is widely held that religion, culture and ethnicity are pure entities that may become mixed in encounter and lead to impure, hybrid forms. 'Syncretism in Religion' presents a selection of essays committed to solving the problems of syncretism. The essays reflect the full breadth of religious traditions that could be called syncretistic. An overview of the historical background of syncretism is given, alongside classical readings from the history of religion, definitions of syncretism in relation to theories of power, and an assessment of the future of the subject. This volume brings together the work of authors who have made significant contributions in the field, some appearing for the first time in English. It will be of interest to any student or scholar of religion, philosophy or anthropology concerned with the dynamics of cultural contact and change.

About the Author
Jeppe Sinding Jensen, Anita Maria Leopold

Reviews
'This is a much-needed and thoughtfully structured anthology. It offers the reader a sampling of new directions that theories of syncretism are taking, rather than merely collecting older material. I have no doubt that Syncretism: A Reader will be received with much enthusiasm by scholars in a variety of disciplines and that it will become the text of choice for teaching about religious syncretism for years to come.' Terry Rey, Assistant Professor, Religious Studies, Florida International University, Miami



Book Information
ISBN 9781904768654
Author Anita Maria Leopold
Format Paperback
Page Count 416
Imprint Equinox Publishing Ltd
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 453g