Published on November 26, 2023, 6:35 am

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Throughout history, various religions and beliefs have experienced notable instances of syncretism, a distinctive fusion of diversified religious traditions. Biblical references show how the Israelites sometimes mixed their worship with Canaanite deities including Baal. Contemporary Christians in regions like Latin America and Africa are likewise known for blending elements of ancestral faiths into their newfound religion.

This amalgamation is not confined to Christianity alone. In India, adherents of Hinduism adjusted some teachings of Buddha, and later of Christ, to maintain their spiritual supremacy. Similarly, Japanese Buddhists adopted select aspects of Christian doctrine such as salvation by faith—a testament to the permeable boundaries between differing worldviews.

Renowned theologian Robert Brow devoted significant attention to the topic of non-theistic religions in his book ‘Religion: Origins and Ideas’. Non-theistic religions deny the existence of a Creator God separate from nature; instead, they assert that divinity is inherent within nature itself. This belief structure—monism—takes diverse forms.

For instance, Vedanta (Hindu) monism hypothesizes a personalized “World Soul” in nature which may appear extremely spiritual. Another variation discussed by Brow is “modified pantheism” which upholds principles like evolutionary progression and altruistic love integral to Nature’s workings.

Modern philosophies such as modernism can be seen as expressions of pantheism while postmodernism aligns closer with Vedantic monism. Modernist thought traces its roots back to 17th-century philosopher Baruch Spinoza whose teachings impacted secular humanism profoundly. Those professing secular humanist beliefs typify a form of materialist monism despite often rebuffing claims that they’re religious or spiritual.

Postmodern thinkers contend that truth isn’t objective but subjective—an opinion open for debate since it cannot be expressed through factual evidence unequivocally. They straddle the border between spirituality and religion deriving conviction from a presumed World Soul, Mother Earth, or another profound cosmic entity. To tap into this spiritual atmosphere, a range of techniques such as yoga meditation, breath control, and psychedelic stimulation are practiced.

Unfortunately, certain elements within Christianity have started to blur the lines between their core beliefs and these contemporary philosophies in an attempt to stay relevant. Such orientation risks weakening Christianity’s defenses against the continuing tides of both modernism and postmodernism.

It is critical for Christians to remain aligned with the genuine word of God. In modern times typified by the proliferation of real news and trusted news portals that acknowledge the importance of maintaining a Christian worldview, adhering strictly to biblical accuracy can serve as a resilient fortress protecting believers from entangling themselves in flawed ideologies.