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Reference.org
Religious syncretism
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<p>Religious syncretism is the blending of religious belief systems into a new system, or the incorporation of other beliefs into an existing religious tradition. </p><p>This can occur for many reasons, where religious traditions exist in proximity to each other, or when a culture is conquered and the conquerors bring their religious beliefs with them, but do not succeed in eradicating older beliefs and practices. </p><p>Many religions have syncretic elements, but adherents often frown upon the application of the label, especially those who belong to "revealed" religions, such as <a href="/facts/Abrahamic_religions/y9z2Wf9q">Abrahamic religions</a>, or any system with an <a href="/facts/Exclusivism/0Dm9lP4n">exclusivist</a> approach, seeing syncretism as corrupting the original religion. Non-exclusivist systems of belief on the other hand feel more free to incorporate other traditions into their own. </p>