ABSTRACT
This chapter contributes an effort to explore the inter-relationship between the three terms mentioned in the title. But since the author's view on these themes are connected with those on culture and metaphor and prefer to start with some remarks on the latter concepts. Symbolic anthropology has focused on culture as a universal human capacity, understanding human beings as meaning-makers. Metaphors are crucial to the field of religion and to syncretism in particular. The possibility to develop metaphors is a condition for religious discourse. Within religions, human power may be exercised through the management and control of these resources. Though what is meant is often economic resources, for the study of religion and of syncretism it might make sense to think of religious resources, represented by God, gods, spirits, saints, and so on. Besides, through play, an over-reductionist view on religion and syncretism can be avoided. Accordingly, special attention has been given to syncretism as a cultural phenomenon.
