What term refers to the conscious or unconscious fusion of different religious practices?

The correct term that refers to the conscious or unconscious fusion of different religious practices is religious syncretism. This phenomenon occurs when elements from various religious traditions are blended together, resulting in new practices, beliefs, or rituals that incorporate aspects from both original sources.

Religious syncretism can often be seen in cultures where multiple religions coexist, leading to the influence of one religion on another. This can occur naturally over time as communities interact or as people migrate, bringing their beliefs with them and adapting them in response to new environments. For instance, in regions where indigenous beliefs mix with introduced religions, one may witness a unique combination of rituals, ceremonies, and spiritual beliefs.

In contrast, inclusivism is a theological stance that sees one's own religion as the best but acknowledges that other religions may also hold some truth. Functionalism looks at religion in terms of the social functions it serves rather than the beliefs themselves. Pluralism, while recognizing the coexistence of multiple religious traditions, often emphasizes mutual respect and dialogue among them rather than the blending of practices as seen in syncretism. Thus, each of these concepts is distinct from the process of combining elements of different religions that characterizes syncretism.