Question

_____ are a combination of different beliefs and practices, as in the ethnic religions of the Far East.

a) Syncretic religions
b) Monotheistic religions
c) Polytheistic religions
d) Universalizing religions

Answer 1

Syncretic religions are a mix of different religious beliefs and practices, often seen in the Far East where indigenous beliefs have combined with Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct answer to the student's question is a) Syncretic religions. Syncretic religions are a blend of different religious beliefs and practices. These religions often arise in regions where diverse cultural influences have intermingled over time, leading to a religious landscape that borrows elements from various faith systems. In the context of the Far East, for example, local ethnic religions can exhibit syncretism by integrating aspects of major religions such as Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism with indigenous beliefs and practices.

Syncretism can also encompass broader religious elements such as combining animistic traditions, which see the divine in natural world elements like animals and plants, with more structured belief systems. This complexity reflects the nuanced and sometimes overlapping characteristics within the world's religious traditions.