Want to play a game? First, let me set it up.
In 2007, an Episcopal priest (the Rev. Ann Holmes Redding) converted to Islam. But it was a different sort of conversion. She (supposedly) didn’t disavow Christianity but simply blended in her Muslim beliefs. People termed her an Episcoslamic Muslipalian.
Last month, the diocese of Northern Michigan elected Father Forrester, a professed Zen Buddhist, as their bishop. Now a Muslim-Christian makes a bit more sense since both are monotheistic traditions. But blending a theistic religion and non-theistic philosophy seems difficult. People have called him a Buddhapalian.
This isn’t just a Christian + “other religions” phenomenon. Recently, I had a conversation with someone who referred to himself as a “Jew-Bu” (a hybrid of Jewish and Buddhist).
Instead of arguing against this shmorgisborg approach to religion, let’s play a game. What’s the most creative religious pairing you can come up with? For some inspiration, you might want to visit a discussion at SoulPancake and read answers to the question “Is it possible to be a part of more than one religion? Do you have to choose?”
I’ll start. “Scientatholic” is Scientology + Catholicism. This guilt isn’t free. You have to pay thousands of dollars for it.
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COMMENTS
7 responses to “Name that Syncretism”
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Justin, I love you. Keep it up. How about “Episcopalian”? That word in and of itself seems to combine quite a few clashing religions/worldviews presently. I’m not very creative am I?
But on that note, does anyone have any thoughts on the current status of the Episcopal Church – how believers within it (or within any denomination with comparable issues for that matter) ought to respond? Or anything you’re learning through all this about human nature, institutions, religion, God, etc? Being a member and an employee of the Episcopal Church, I would love to have some dialogue with all of you wonderful Mbird thinkers regarding this, but perhaps it’s not the right venue? I don’t know. (And let me just say, personally, I LOVE where I am for tons of reasons, but the line between the sublime and the ridiculous here is paper-thin.)
Hasidic Wiccodox (Mix of Hasidic Judaism, Wicca and Eastern Orthodoxy)…we believe that growing payot and taking nature hikes leads to one’s deification.
Hey Ross. I’d be delighted to talk to you about this if you like. There may be some others of us as well.
My email is jstamperATL@aol.com.
As I grew up Presbyterian, had a brief encounter with the Pentacostals and have been an Episcopalian most of my adult life, I’ve always considered myself an Episcopentecostyterian.
Jeff, that is really funny!
Ha ha! Hasidic Wiccodox. I knew Mbird readers would make this fun. And nice work Jeff. Staying in the same religion but getting such variety was impressive.
How about Jaipiscopentamormlim… or a Jainist Episcopal with Pentacostal leanings, Mormon legalism, and Muslim parents. idk…