What is a cultural Christian?

[classical_hero]

I have heard that term before, but what exactly does it mean?

 

[Tani Coyote]

It means that while you may not believe in Christianity, Christian values and practices have made their way into your life.

I, for instance, know a few basic Bible passages, even though my Mom is completely non-practicing. I also celebrate Christmas and Easter, and know their significance to Christianity and Western culture as a whole, despite not being Christian about it.

Furthermore, the values of generosity and compassion that started as Jesus' values and have been absorbed by Santa Claus, play a role in my life on Christmas Day.

 

[Lillefix]

Here's one by the way:

I suppose it's a person who grown up with christian traditions. Baptized and confirmed perhaps. They celebrate Christmas, Easter, they know what Pentecost is. But does not necessarily believe that Jesus is their lord and savior.

 

[Bill3000]

Someone with christian heritage who does not believe in the religious claims of Christianity, but who retain an affinity for the culture, art, music, and so on related to it. Compare this to the status of secular Jews, except without the ethnic character.

 

[Tani Coyote]

I suppose it's a person who grown up with christian traditions. Baptized and confirmed perhaps. They celebrate Christmas, Easter, they know what Pentecost is. But does not necessarily believe that Jesus is their lord and savior.

Precisely. The same virtues and concepts behind Christianity can still be exported without the religious beliefs.

I read the Catholics created the Seven Virtues to give heathens a code to live by that was in line with Christian teachings, even if the heathens would not convert. If that is true, that's a perfect example of cultural Christianity: they took "Christian" values and made them into a secular package for others to live by.

 

[classical_hero]

Here's one by the way:

I know what he says, but so often he is attacking the very foundations that gave him his culture that I do not see it they way he says he is. He is trying to get the benefits of Christianity while trying to destroy it.

 

[Tani Coyote]

He is trying to get the benefits of Christianity while trying to destroy it.

Just like socialism in the USA! *comedic drumroll* (Just kidding if anyone couldn't tell)

...Sorry. I couldn't resist.

Back on topic... yeah. Cultural Christianity is odd if even the Atheist Wonder's put aside his grinding axe and actually will accept its cultural trimmings into his life.

 

[Lillefix]

I know what he says, but so often he is attacking the very foundations that gave him his culture that I do not see it they way he says he is. He is trying to get the benefits of Christianity while trying to destroy it.

He would probably argue that Christianity took many values from secular ethics in the first place. But that's another thread

 

[Shaihulud]

Gets married in a church etc. but zero belief.

 

[Shadylookin]

Someone who claims to be a Christian because they live in a predominately Christian area, but if you asked them a simple question about a prominent biblical story they would give you a confused look.

 

[kulade]

benefits of Christianity

please elaborate.

 

[GenMarshall]

I'm more of a cultural Catholic ATM.

 

[civ_king]

A non-fundamentalist Protestant

 

[GenMarshall]

I bet Santa gave him coal in his stockings.

 

[civ_king]

I bet Santa gave him coal in his stockings.

Which he probably then used as a weapon to destroy someones manger/Jesus set up

 

[Lillefix]

I'm more of a cultural Catholic ATM.

What's ATM? I've googled it, but the only things I can find don't make sense.

I found:

Asynchronous Transfer Mode
Automated teller machine

And urban dictionary says "attracted to men".

 

[GenMarshall]

What's ATM? I've googled it, but the only things I can find don't make sense.

I found:

Asynchronous Transfer Mode
Automated teller machine

And urban dictionary says "attracted to men".

*Facepalm*

ATM = At the moment

 

[Lillefix]

Thank you. I really didn't know that.

 

[Bill3000]

A non-fundamentalist Protestant

Huh, I knew Protestantism was shallow, but not that shallow.

 

[Lillefix]

Huh, I knew Protestantism was shallow, but not that shallow.

80% of Norwegians are members of the state church, which is protestant. A good deal of those who arent, are muslims or belong to other more fundamentalistic christian denominations(and are therefore often more religious). The percentage of people in Norway who believe in God is 32%. See a discrepancy?