May
28
Syncretism- Jesus and Hindu gods
Filed Under Communicating with those of other faiths, General religion, Hinduism | 2 Comments
A few years back I went to India to do some ethnographic research. A national Christian led us around as we did our research. In one of the villages we walked through he took us to the home of a woman who had started attending a small group Bible study he was leading. Upon entering her home I noticed that she had pictures of Hindu deities on her wall just like every other Hindu home I had entered. However, as you can see, her wall was a little different. Instead of just having the traditional Hindu gods and heroes like Shiva and Hanuman, she added a framed picture of a “Catholic” Jesus. Some religions, like Hinduism, are more syncretistic than others yet syncretism is common in all religious traditions.
Syncretism often takes place when animistic cultures adopt a foreign more dominant world religion. In South America, many Catholics have exchanged their traditional gods and spirits for the Virgin Mary and saints, but have essentially kept their animistic worldview. In Africa, many Muslims have added outward forms of Muslim dress and ritual, but have kept their traditional beliefs creating a form of folk Islam. Some scholars contend that up to 75% of Muslims actually practice a form of folk Islam. In Thailand, the heart of Theravada Buddhism, Buddhists are supposed to be practicing the purest form of Buddhism yet most live their lives worshipping local spirits that determine their health and wealth.
Animists in these cultures tend to see Catholicism, Islam, and Buddhism as having to do more with the afterlife, but the everyday life is still about the local spirits. In order to have a successful crop or successful business, and to avoid illness animists must gain the favor or appease the spirits that control their everyday lives.
When ministering to those of other faiths it is important to remember that most Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, and so on do not live the religion that is typically described in textbooks. Although studying the “textbook” form of a religion is necessary, it is equally important to understand the animistic worldview that the practitioner might have.
For more information on syncretism, animism, and folk religions see The Myth of the Eternal Return by Mircea Eliade, The Unseen Face of Islam by Bill Musk, Understanding Folk Religions by Hiebert, Shaw and Tienou, and Communicating Christ in Animistic Cultures by Gailyn Van Rheenen
May
18
Mecca: the center of the earth?
Filed Under Islam | Leave a Comment
A few weeks ago the BBC reported that various Muslim scientists and clerics called for the adoption of Mecca time to replace GMT because they believe that it is the center of the earth. For Muslims, Mecca has always been “theologically” the center of the earth; however, now one Muslim geologist is arguing that Mecca is also physically the true center of the earth since Mecca’s longitude is perfectly aligned to magnetic north. Although I am not a scientist, I am thinking that other scientists might disagree. In any case, this story provides a good occasion to review important facts about Mecca:
1. During the time of Muhammad, the Kaa’ba (cube-like building) was an important pagan religious site located in Mecca.
2. After Muhammad gained control of Mecca, he cleared the Kaa’ba of its idols and ”baptized” pagan practices that revolved around the Kaa’ba by giving them new Muslim meanings. These practices are still performed as part of the Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca which all Muslims are expected to do if they are able to)
3. All Muslims are expected to perform their ritual prayers 5 times a day facing in the direction of the Kaa’ba in Mecca. (Muhammad initially had his community face Jerusalem to do their prayers, but later changed it to Mecca)
4. According to the Qur’an, Abraham and Ishmael built the Kaa’ba and were commanded to carry out the rituals that are now performed as part of the Hajj. But, according to Muslim tradition, Abraham only rebuilt the Kaa’ba since Adam built it first. Also, according to some traditions, when Allah created the world he first created Mecca and then spread out from there, making it the center of the world.
5. For Muslims, Mecca is the axis mundi, the center of the world. It is where heaven and earth meet. Everyday millions of Muslims face Mecca and are united in their submission to Allah as they perform their ritual prayers. Mecca is a symbol of what is most sacred and important (non-Muslims are not allowed in Mecca). It is a symbol of the “purest” form of monotheism which began with Adam, was carried on by the prophets who followed him, and which was finally renewed by Muhammad.
For Muslims, this one city, Mecca, stands as a physical reminder of the oneness of Allah and of the unity of his ummah (Muslim community). With this understanding of Mecca, it is not surprising that Muslim scientists and clerics want the world to keep track of time based upon their most holy and precious city.
The BBC story can be found at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7359258.stm