The Cultural Christian Identity

📜 Core Concept

Cultural Christians are individuals who embrace Christian values or appreciate Christian culture without necessarily subscribing to the religion's core theological tenets or engaging in its prescribed practices. This identification often stems from familial background, upbringing, personal experiences, or the pervasive social and cultural milieu in which they were raised.^[1] They may identify as agnostics, apatheists, atheists, deists, non-practicing Christians, non-theists, pantheists, or transtheists, finding significance in the cultural legacy rather than doctrinal adherence.^[1]

↔️ Distinguishing from Practicing Believers

This classification stands in contrast to terms such as "practicing Christian," "biblical Christian," "committed Christian," or "faithful Christian," which denote individuals who actively engage with and affirm the religious doctrines and rituals of Christianity.^[2][3][4][5] The distinction highlights a spectrum of engagement with Christian identity, ranging from deep theological commitment to a more secular or heritage-based affiliation.

🏷️ Specific Cultural Affiliations

The designation "cultural Christian" can be further specified by the particular Christian tradition with which an individual identifies culturally. For instance, one might be a "cultural Catholic," "cultural Lutheran," or "cultural Anglican," indicating an affinity for the cultural heritage associated with these denominations, irrespective of personal religious belief.^[6][7][8] This nuanced terminology acknowledges the multifaceted ways individuals relate to religious traditions in secularizing societies.

🇮🇹 Cultural Catholicism

In Italy, figures like Benedetto Croce articulated the view that Roman Catholic traditions and values form the foundational culture for all Italians, believers and non-believers alike. Croce posited Christianity as a significant cultural revolution, suggesting that even secular Italians are deeply influenced by this heritage.^[croce]

🇬🇧 Cultural Anglicanism

In the United Kingdom, prominent atheists like Richard Dawkins have identified as "cultural Christians" and specifically "cultural Anglicans." Dawkins has expressed appreciation for Jesus Christ's ethics while disavowing religious belief, highlighting a separation between cultural appreciation and theological conviction.^{[dawkins1][dawkins2]} Similarly, Liz Truss stated she shared the values of the Church of England but was not a regular practicing religious person.

🇳🇱 Cultural Lutheranism

In the Netherlands, where Lutheranism historically played a significant role, individuals may identify as "cultural Lutherans." This often reflects an appreciation for the historical and societal impact of Lutheranism, particularly in regions with a strong Protestant heritage, even amidst increasing secularization.^[rautio]

🇫🇷 Historical and Contemporary Figures

France's intellectual history includes figures like Napoleon Bonaparte, who, as a Deist, engaged with Christian traditions. More recently, President Emmanuel Macron has identified as an "Agnostic Catholic," reflecting a similar pattern of cultural identification with Catholicism without strict adherence to its doctrines.^{[macron1][macron2]} This highlights how religious heritage can be a significant marker of identity even in a largely secular society.

🇮🇹 Croce's Cultural Imperative

The Italian writer Benedetto Croce, in his work "Perché non possiamo non dirci cristiani" (Why We Cannot Not Call Ourselves Christians), argued that Roman Catholic traditions and values constitute the foundational culture of all Italians, believers and non-believers alike. He characterized Christianity primarily as a transformative cultural force.^[croce]

🇺🇸 Jeffersonian Deism

Thomas Jefferson, a key figure among the Founding Fathers, considered himself part of Christian culture despite his theological reservations regarding the divinity of Jesus. His philosophical stance, often described as Deist, highlights an early American precedent for identifying with Christian heritage while maintaining independent theological views.^{[jefferson1][jefferson2][jefferson3][jefferson4][jefferson5]}

🇳🇱 Historical Catholicism and Modern Irreligion

Historically, regions like North Brabant and Limburg in the Netherlands were predominantly Roman Catholic, influencing cultural identity. Despite historical discrimination against Catholics by Protestant governments, these areas retain a distinct Catholic atmosphere, evident in traditions like Carnival and the presence of chapels and crucifixes.^{[mils][israel1][israel2]} However, modern secularization has led to a decline in active religious practice. Research indicates that a majority of self-identifying Catholics in the Netherlands are now largely irreligious, with many identifying as "ietsist" (believing in something, but not specifically defined) rather than theist.^[meester]

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