Long time ago, as a religious studies college student in Ireland, I decided to go to a mosque in Dublin to further my academic research on comparative theology. It was cloudy and cool, like any other day that winter. I looked for the Imam to see if he would answer some of my research questions. I also remember how hungry I was and that I was hoping to be offered some food. I didn’t get any food, but I got the answers I sought.

The Imam sat me in his office and closed the door behind him. He was warm and welcoming. From all of my questions he answered regarding interreligious appreciation there was one thing that struck me the most. While I was trying to explain myself using the most diplomatic vocabulary I could, I used the term Abrahamic Religions numerous times. As a result, he frowned and asked me “what are these Abrahamic Religions you talk about? There is only one religion: the religion of God.”

According to the Imam, the Abrahamic religions were meant to be only one. They are merely three different attempts of God for showing us His will (God’s will). The three religions of Abraham, he explained, were not intended to be three different denominations that divide our world. Yet such “religion of God” developed to be perceived as entirely different and conflicting, a tool of the ego.

Clearly, religious syncretism is a vast topic. Although the term came about during the 19th century by a German historian called Johann Gustav Droysen, the idea of interrelated religions originates from an earlier period¹.

Religious syncretism, as understood today, is the consolidation of two or more religious systems. But the syncretistic nature of the Abrahamic religions is also influenced by polytheistic traditions.

Before monotheism, spirituality was manifested through multiple deities. People were comfortable with such spiritual practices. Abraham himself was a pagan before God called upon him. Furthermore, we need to fully understand that the religious nomenclature we so freely give to “new” religious trends are a result of humanity’s need to categorize. Jesus, for example, is described to be the founder of Christianity, yet he was a Jew not a Christian.

Jesus’ intentions were to renew the already existing Jewish spirituality. It was his followers who, wanting to be distinguished from the non-renewed-Jews accepted a new name for themselves (Christians) and by doing so officially separated from everybody else.

Before being Christians, the followers of Jesus called themselves followers of “the Way”. We should not forget that Christianity emerged from Judaism. Therefore, it behooves scholars and followers to study both religions in conjunction. The relationship between both doctrines is undisputable. Christianity merged from Judaism. And this is just one example of many.

Christmas: Evidence of Religious Syncretism

Of course, being Christmas season, I find the occasion a perfect example of a more complex type of religious syncretism that merges monotheism and polytheism. Christianity was officially proclaimed a licit religion by the Roman emperor Constantine I during the fourth century. His motivations remain dubious, as it is unclear whether he converted out of political convenience or spiritual conviction.

Nonetheless, the new Christian population was increasing and with it the need of regulating this growing spiritual movement. The edicts and councils summoned by the Roman emperors fulfilled such purposes of defining Christianity. One of the most important official decisions made was to proclaim Christmas, the 25th of December.

Many historians believe that Jesus of Nazareth was not born on Christmas Day. In fact, the exact date of Jesus’ birth is unknown. December 25th was purposely and strategically chosen to ease the conversion of the Gentiles into the now official Christian religion. The date in discussion was nothing more than the birthday of the popular Roman deity, Mithras. And even before Mithras, the 25th of December had been chosen as the favorite birth date of deities that preceded Jesus and Mithras.

Curiously enough, these ‘Christmas deities’ even have similar nativity stories: dreams, virgins, gifts, angels, infanticides, etc. It seems as if the date has been molded to adapt to the religious evolutionary stage of each civilization.

Nevertheless, the exact date of important Christian events such as Jesus’ birthday is irrelevant as long as Christians, have a day of the year to commemorate important biblical events. Likewise, with all other religions. The exact date of Jesus’ birthday is unknown anyway. Perhaps, hadn’t the Roman emperors chosen the pagan and old 25th of December for a new divinity, Christmas wouldn’t have grown to be as popular and significant as it is today. The moral of the story is: No religion comes from a vacuum.

In conclusion, religious syncretism is natural and unavoidable. An easy way of accepting that which is seemingly new and uncomfortable is by relating it to that which is already familiar to us. Let us always question the origin of our traditions, not to create dispute and confusion, but to enrich our knowledge, freedom of thought and sense of tolerance.

Merry Christmas!

¹Pr. Luther H. Martin’s book collaboration “Of Religious Syncretism, Comparative Religion and Spiritual Quests”.