‘Cultural Christian.’ What does that mean?

[Shawnster]

Elon Musk, a famous name famously associated with atheism, now calls himself a cultural Christian. He joins other prominent figures – such as scientist Richard Dawkins – who’ve used that phrase this year to describe themselves.

 

The term “cultural Christian” seems to exist almost exclusively online. But it’s not out of nowhere. Many people call themselves cultural Jews or cultural Catholics, for example. And lots of Americans decorate Christmas trees and gather with family on Easter, observing traditions rooted in Christianity, though they may not attend church or believe in the Christian God.

 

https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2024/1218/elon-musk-cultural-christian-richard-dawkins?cmpid=kwcpc&kwp_0=2439934&kwp_4=6806688&kwp_1=2894308&fbclid=IwY2xjawIsOQFleHRuA2FlbQEwAGFkaWQAAAYLT00h9wEdLeQw8wfKbvB5iRfB97CpDq7V0Q5I-_HqY-F2hHGTXoP9RUK9NMlLCTxF_aem_Rr2R-MyViNgowOxGaCYspA&utm_medium=paid&utm_source=fb&utm_id=6645644750143&utm_content=6645644799343&utm_term=6645644751543&utm_campaign=6645644750143

[Ishaya]

It is an interesting phenomenon.

 

somehow I think it is a sign of progress on the part of Mr Musk.

It is not easy to suddenly begin to trust that a God exist.

I think it is a good progress.

[Osprey]

I don't think that being a "cultural Christian" means that he started believing in God.

[Shawnster]

No. Just like being a cultural Jew does not mean someone is of the Jewish faith. 

 

They just like the culture. So a Cultural Christian would celebrate Christmas and Easter, might even attend a church service, but still be a firm atheist. 

[Ishaya]

In the real sense of it,Christendom as a whole is simply a practice of cultural Christianity,they practice it for their convenience not because they understand how important it is to Jehovah.

 

Such an expression appropriately describes the actual state of false worship.Jehovah is not the centre of false worship, human interest is.

[Cool.As.Ice]

(2 Timothy 3:5) 5 having an appearance of godliness but proving false to its power; and from these turn away.
https://www.jw.org/finder?wtlocale=E&pub=nwtsty&srctype=wol&bible=55003005&srcid=share

Definitely applies in this case.

[Ishaya]

5 minutes ago, Shawnster said:

No. Just like being a cultural Jew does not mean someone is of the Jewish faith. 

 

They just like the culture. So a Cultural Christian would celebrate Christmas and Easter, might even attend a church service, but still be a firm atheist. 

 

I get your point Bro Shawn,but why choose Christianity, a religion? and why does he even have to tell the world about his new orientation?

 

someone may not believe in God,but may believe in the existence of God,is this possible?

[minister159]

1 hour ago, Ishaya said:

someone may not believe in God,but may believe in the existence of God,is this possible?

 

Do you mean like this? If so, the answer is yes. It's called Deism:

 

Deism is the belief in the existence of God—often, but not necessarily, an impersonal and incomprehensible God who does not intervene in the universe after creating it,^[8][12] solely based on rational thought without any reliance on revealed religions or religious authority.

 

 

[minister159]

1 hour ago, Shawnster said:

No. Just like being a cultural Jew does not mean someone is of the Jewish faith. 

 

They just like the culture. So a Cultural Christian would celebrate Christmas and Easter, might even attend a church service, but still be a firm atheist. 

 

I think it might be the same as saying someone is a secular or nominal Jew or Christian as opposed to being a religious Jew or Christian. It's probably the same thing as saying they are non-practicing, but like the culture.

[Osprey]

2 hours ago, Ishaya said:

 

I get your point Bro Shawn,but why choose Christianity, a religion? and why does he even have to tell the world about his new orientation?

 

someone may not believe in God,but may believe in the existence of God,is this possible?

 

I don't want to speak for him, but there certainly is this option. President Trump has a big support in some religious communities, so it may be beneficial for Mr. Musk to declare himself at least a "cultural Christian" publicly.

Edited February 26 by Osprey

[Ahuvah]

3 hours ago, Shawnster said:

No. Just like being a cultural Jew does not mean someone is of the Jewish faith. 

 

They just like the culture. So a Cultural Christian would celebrate Christmas and Easter, might even attend a church service, but still be a firm atheist. 

 

And then they will get upset if people start saying: 'They are part of a cult " ... well duhh don't call yourself a cult-real Christian then.

[ijsvogel]

I think that someone who calls themselves cultural christian, does that mainly to make their roots clear. Their ancestors were christian and therefore they are not muslim, jewish or anything else. They celebrate Christmas as a cultural thing, so without believing anything. In our country the word ‘tradition’ is used a lot. A lot of people here are atheistic but still celebrate certain holidays because it is supposed to be tradition. I think culture and tradition are more or less synonymous 

[LeolaRootStew]

"Cultural Christians" are people who recognize that it's ideal when your neighbors don't lie, cheat, or steal, but they don't want to bother worshipping the God who created those standards. In other words, they like the fruitage of Christian ethics, but they don't want to cultivate the garden that grows them.

[Shawnster]

That's a good way to put it