Religious Questions

1. Describe the purpose of ecumenical services and interfaith initiatives. What importance, if any, does dialogue between the various faith traditions have?

2. Syncretism is defined in the textbook as a combination of normally differing beliefs. This can mean the combination of religious beliefs or the combination of religious and cultural beliefs. Give two examples of religions, denominations, or sects that are either syncretistic as a whole, or have some syncretistic practices. (One example might be Benedicaria—the use of folk traditions in healing by Italian Catholics.)