What is a cultural Christian?

[Mr. Dictator]

in reality, most christians.

 

[civ_king]

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

It is that shallow

If I was being snarky I'd call Protestantism the worship of Mammon and avarice, and

@Mr. Dictator, incorrect cultural Catholic≠cultural Christian and Catholics are 50%+ of Christians

 

[classical_hero]

in reality, most christians.

Unfortunately that is not far from the truth.

 

[Lillefix]

Unfortunately that is not far from the truth.

I would think that's a compliment.

The bible says unambiguously that "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." No questions, no other conditions.

In my eyes, the bible allows Christians to have a more relaxed relationship to their faith than for example muslims. And that makes them more open minded.

 

[classical_hero]

But the problem is that you see many people who claim to be Christian actually not living like they ar Christians. They are practically living their lives like and atheist would, when a Christian should have a relationship with Jesus and that should show. That is why we are called Christians, since the followers in Antioch were seen to be following the teaching of Christ and thus they dubbed them followers of Christ, which is exactly what the word Christian means.

 

[Lillefix]

But the problem is that you see many people who claim to be Christian actually not living like they ar Christians. They are practically living their lives like and atheist would, when a Christian should have a relationship with Jesus and that should show.

As long as they believe, isn't that enough? Religion is normally considered a private matter, why(and how?) should they show that they're Christians?

 

[classical_hero]

Actually the bible does say that they way how a Christian acts ivery important and it does say that sometimes it is better that they had no believed in the first place, since they give Christian a bad name. The example of Lot is important because by his actions he sullied his name and cause problems when he was trying to actually tell the truth to those around him.

 

[Bill3000]

As long as they believe, isn't that enough? Religion is normally considered a private matter, why(and how?) should they show that they're Christians?

Well no, I'm with classical hero on this one. In a Catholic context, good works is necessary for salvation; in a protestant context, good works are the signs of genuine faith. Either way, faith without works are dead.

Religion being a "private matter" is a copout, and cowardly nonreligious Christians should either be honest with themselves and admit to not really believing God in the first place, or change themselves by changing their religion, or becoming more faithful.

Different to what is a cultural christian, though.

 

[Lillefix]

It's so strange. I discussed the same thing with Moboss, last year and he said more or less the same thing as you guys. I on the other hand, have been hammered in with the message that belief is enough. No need to go to church, or pray or anything. Just faith alone.

 

[Terxpahseyton]

If your personal way of life and cultural identity is influenced by a culture religion-wise dominated by Christianity, you can't help to be at least partially a cultural Christian. And it is almost inescapable to be influenced if living in such a culture.

 

[Yared]

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.

There's more to Christmas than celebrating the birth of Christ. There's stuff like spending time with your loved ones, exchanging presents, getting a break and whatever. Are these inherently Christian? What gives Christianity the right to hog all of these things?


But this shouldn't be discussed here.