By Judge Phil Ginn for CHRISTIANITY.COM
During the last days of World War II, with Europe in the throes of one of the most lethal engagements of all times, known as the Battle of the Bulge, it was documented that German SS troops would dress up as American Soldiers and infiltrate behind the line of battle. This effort, combined with other forms of psychological warfare, proved extremely disruptive to the Allied cause and wrought great confusion in our troops. Ultimately, all of this led to disorientation amongst the troops that impaired their ability to effectively stave off the attacks of their enemy and often led to their capture or even death. It was said that the Germans were so well immersed in American culture that it was often difficult even for trained observers to ascertain their true identity. Only through clever questioning about obscure matters, which would be known only by a true American, could they be distinguished from the “real McCoy.”
Certainly, this type of internal migration of imposters into the realm of some degree of homogeneity occurred well before World War II and continues to occur to this day. Even in nature, when brackish water seeps into a freshwater supply, the whole can easily be changed by the osmosis of even a small but steady stream of a counterfeit or polluted medium. Most of the time this phenomenon, whether accidental or intentional, results in at least a diluted version of the original. But, just like the introduction of poison into an otherwise harmless drink, the result can be devastating or even deadly.
How modern influences are reshaping traditional Christian beliefs
Systems steeped in tradition can be modified over time by the adoption of different thought patterns to become almost unrecognizable from their original versions. Even a people’s most cherished religious beliefs can fall prey to insipid assaults of small modifications over time. Behaviorists use the word “syncretism” to describe this merging of different belief systems. As it applies in a religious context, this concept allows for an “inclusive” approach to the tenets of other faiths. Such inclusivism culminates in a new religion totally different than either of its original parts, even when some of the adopted beliefs appear to be contradictory to those of the original system.
