Syncretic Religion Essay

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This religious study will define the social stratification of Roman Catholic policies in colonial Mexico. Religion has always played a major role in the country and this is no less true of its colonial period. Historically, Catholicism was seen as a civilizing force that contended with the indigenous religions of the indigenous population, as well as with religions imported by other, non-European newcomers. This aspect of syncretic religious values was part of the overarching authority of the Roman Catholic to stratify citizens based on racial and social values within the context of colonial governmental policies. The restric6ttions to class mobility were primarily based on racial and ideology religious values, which were controlled and regulated through the Spanish Inquisition during the colonial era. Also, an examination of the Cult of Mary will define the various forms of syncretic beliefs that were an extension of witchcraft and Aztec belief system amongst the indigenous population. In essence, this study aims to examine to what extent religion expressed the societal standing of members of colonial society, which created a stratification of society under the authority of the Roman Catholic Church in …show more content…

In many ways, the sacrificial aspects of the Aztec religion were converted into the “Cult of Mary”, which became a popular form of syncretic practice that sought to make a connection with the sacrificial rituals of the Aztec culture, which were then converted into various Christian interpretations of these ancient rites. In this manner, the Aztec religion was a religion that worshiped various idols, which made it convenient for indigenous people to form the Cult of Mary, or the story of Our lady of Guadalupe as a way to form a new form of idol worship in the roman Catholic

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