Syncretistic religions are sometimes considered folk largely because they are thought of
as “hybrid” rather than “pure.” Syncretistic religions, created through a blending of two
or more religions, are especially common where world religions (Christianity, Islam)
encroach on local religions through the efforts of missionaries. Most studies of North
American folk religion in this sense have focused on blends of African, Native American,
and Catholic religious beliefs and practices, such as vodun and santeria.