THE PERSISTENCE OF PRIMITIVE BELIEFS IN THEOLOGY:
A Study in Syrian Syncretism ; 'Ali, Elyun, El, Helios and Elijah.'
Analysis.
I. I. Peculiar ideas gathering round the name of Ali. . The Sea-Demon Khidr, . = Elijah (both for Jews and Mahommedans). . Elisha-Kdr, a real deity from Syria to Hindustan, . identified with many worthies of the Old Testa- ment e.g., . the undying Melchizedek {Elyun) : the god who dies or disappears and again returns. . Khidr is deity of the proficients, as Ali (Helios, El) among adepts, of the Nosairis. . Sum. II. 9. The Seven World-Ages and the Recurrent Prophet (in Ebionism and early heresy). . In Mani and the Clementine Writings, nearly coeval. . Dominant influence in this, Buddhism. . At root of all, notion of the Fetish-King — the vehicle which is used and discarded : Great Mother and her short-lived consorts ; Iranian ' royal halo ' and its temporary wearer ; Buddhist and Hindoo Law and its exponent. . Modern survivals : Druzes, . and Nosairi. . Kizil Bash (Red Caps) and Yezidi. . Conclusion.
