Being Culturally Christian.

[William]

Elon Musk has identified himself as a cultural Christian in a new interview.

“While I’m not a particularly religious person, I do believe that the teachings of Jesus are good and wise… I would say I’m probably a cultural Christian,” the Tesla CEO said during a conversation on X with Jordan Peterson today. “There’s tremendous wisdom in turning the other cheek.”

Christian beliefs, Musk argued, “result in the greatest happiness for humanity, considering not just the present, but all future humans… I’m actually a big believer in the principles of Christianity. I think they’re very good.”

{SOURCE}

For debate.

Q: Is it better for the world to be a Cultural Christian than an all-out anti-theist?

Also.

Q: Is it better to be a Cultural Christian that belong to any organised Christian religion?

Cultural Christian Definition = Anyone that believes that the teachings of Jesus are good and wise.

Since having asked those questions, I have thought about it more and think we can define being Cultural Christian (as Elon defines) differently from being Culturally Christian.

Being Culturally Christian involves taking things a step/number of steps further, depending on the Christian organisation one is affiliated with re the extent one will take their Christianity.

This has the effect of some Christians (such as Jehovah’s Witnesses) claiming they are the true way Christians should follow and not to do so means that you belong to the “false church” but there is scant evidence that doing so would result in any significant world changing event, and for the most part, whether one is integrated into the JW movement or not, most Christians believe that Jesus will have to return to the planet before any real and significant changes can occur, which is pretty much what the JWs are saying anyway.

This waiting on a representative of the Christian God (Jesus) to return to Earth and finally put a stop to whatever it is that is preventing the real work from being done seems to be the lot of those who are culturally Christian, mostly regardless of denomination, it seems to be the one belief that binds them all together as a mark of what a culturally Christian individual does.

Q1: Is it better for the world to be a Cultural Christian than an all-out anti-theist?
A Cultural Christian—someone who values the teachings of Jesus as wise and good without necessarily adhering to religious dogma or metaphysical claims—can provide a framework for shared ethics and values without polarizing discourse on religion. Anti-theism, which is an active opposition to religion, often involves critique of organized religion’s societal and moral implications.

Why Cultural Christianity might be "better" for the world:

Pragmatic Morality: The teachings of Jesus—emphasizing forgiveness, compassion, and humility—offer practical ethical guidelines that many societies already embrace, making Cultural Christianity a unifying and stabilizing moral force.
Inclusivity: Unlike anti-theism, which can alienate religious individuals, Cultural Christianity allows for dialogue and coexistence, fostering collaboration among diverse belief systems.
Conflict Avoidance: Anti-theism often critiques religion in ways that can be confrontational, potentially increasing societal divisions. Cultural Christianity’s approach is less divisive, as it respects the ethical principles of religion without demanding theological conformity.

However:

Anti-theists might argue that questioning and opposing harmful aspects of religion is necessary for human progress. They would emphasize secular, reason-based ethics over reliance on ancient teachings.
Ultimately, a world leaning towards Cultural Christianity may avoid the extremes of dogmatic religiosity and hostile secularism, promoting balance and mutual respect.

Q2: Is it better to be a Cultural Christian than to belong to any organized Christian religion?
Does this depend on what one values: freedom and individuality community and tradition et al?

Why Cultural Christianity might be "better":

Personal Freedom: Cultural Christians can adopt the teachings of Jesus without being bound by the rules, rituals, or politics of organized religion.
Adaptability: Cultural Christians can interpret Jesus’s teachings to suit modern ethical challenges, free from the constraints of traditional dogmas that may seem outdated.
Avoiding Institutional Issues: Organized religions often come with histories of political entanglement, scandals, and power struggles, which Cultural Christians can avoid while still adhering to ethical principles.

Why Organized Christianity might be "better":

Community and Support: Organized religions provide a sense of belonging and a framework for collective activity, which some individuals find deeply meaningful.
Tradition and Structure: For those who value ritual, sacraments, and historical continuity, organized Christianity offers richness that Cultural Christianity might lack.
Mission-Driven Impact: Religious organizations often have structured means to enact large-scale social change through charity, education, and advocacy, which may be less accessible to loosely affiliated Cultural Christians.

Perhaps, whether being a Cultural Christian or being Culturally Christian is “better” depends on whether one prioritizes autonomy or collective identity.

Clarifying being a Cultural Christian vs. being Culturally Christian
This distinction is important. While a Cultural Christian adopts Jesus’s teachings as a moral and philosophical guide, being Culturally Christian also means participating in or being influenced by Christian traditions, rituals, or identity even without necessarily engaging deeply with the faith’s teachings.

Cultural Christian: Can focus on Jesus’s ethical teachings (e.g., "help the poor") as universal principles.
Culturally Christian: Can participate in Christmas celebrations, observe Christian holidays, or identify as Christian due to upbringing or societal norms, without necessarily truly focusing in on those deeper philosophical or theological aspects in any meaningful manner.

Broader Implications of Cultural vs. Culturally being Christian.
Unity Among Christians: As noted, most Christian traditions—even those as distinct as Jehovah’s Witnesses—share a common eschatological belief in Jesus’s eventual return to address human struggles. This shared belief binds culturally Christian individuals as organized Christians.

Pragmatism vs. Waiting for Divined Intervention: A criticism of being Culturally Christian is the tendency for the most to "wait for Jesus" rather than participating in societal solutions proactively. If the teachings of Jesus inspire immediate ethical action rather than passivity, this criticism diminishes.

The Role of Christianity in Society: Cultural Christians can act as bridges between secular and religious communities. By upholding ethical teachings without institutional allegiance, they may inspire wider adoption of universally beneficial principles without enforcing dogmatic beliefs.

Final Thoughts
Both being a Cultural Christian and being Culturally Christian have their strengths and weaknesses. The better choice for the world depends on how each individual or group uses these frameworks to contribute to human flourishing. In general:

Cultural Christian worldviews might be "better" in contexts where flexibility, inclusivity, and adaptability are paramount.
Culturally Christian world views might be "better" where community action, tradition, and shared identity are vital.

Question for debate:

Q: Can a balance between these two foster a society that respects good moral tradition while embracing good moral modernity and if so, how so, and if not, what prevents this from being made real?

[William]

[Replying to William in post #1]

Q: Can a balance between these two foster a society that respects good moral tradition while embracing good moral modernity and if so, how so, and if not, what prevents this from being made real?

1. Balance Can Foster a Harmonious Society

A balance between being a Cultural Christian and being Culturally Christian can indeed foster a society that respects both tradition and modernity. Here’s how this might be achieved:

a. Promoting Shared Ethical Foundations
Cultural Christians focus on Jesus’s ethical teachings, such as compassion, humility, and the value of forgiveness, which align with universal moral principles.
Culturally Christian individuals often embrace these principles through rituals and traditions, providing a sense of continuity and shared identity.
By merging these approaches, society can create a moral framework rooted in tradition while remaining adaptable to modern ethical challenges, such as diversity, equality, and technological advancements.

b. Encouraging Inclusive Dialogue
A balance allows for mutual respect between secular and religious individuals. Cultural Christians can bridge the gap by upholding the ethical principles of Christianity without enforcing dogma, while Culturally Christian individuals contribute through collective rituals and community-oriented action.
This inclusivity ensures a focus on shared humanity rather than division along religious or anti-religious lines.

c. Leveraging Tradition for Modern Action
Rituals and traditions celebrated by Culturally Christian individuals can provide a sense of stability and meaning in a fast-changing world, helping communities remain grounded.
At the same time, the flexibility of Cultural Christians to reinterpret teachings for the present can help adapt these traditions to modern needs without losing their essence.

2. Challenges to Achieving Balance

While the balance is ideal, several challenges prevent it from being fully realized:

a. Dogmatic Divides
Organized religion often resists reinterpretation of traditions or teachings, while secular or anti-theistic perspectives may dismiss religious traditions as inherently outdated or harmful.
These polarities can make it difficult for Cultural Christians and Culturally Christian individuals to find common ground.

b. Institutional Inertia
Organized Christian institutions may prioritize preserving their authority and traditions over engaging in open dialogues that adapt to cultural shifts, alienating potential Cultural Christians.
Conversely, Cultural Christians may lack the organizational infrastructure to enact large-scale societal change.

c. Individualism vs. Collectivism
Cultural Christians often prioritize personal interpretation and autonomy, which may lead to fragmented efforts at social action.
Culturally Christian frameworks, while more collective, risk stifling individuality or becoming overly reliant on waiting for divine intervention rather than immediate action.

3. Overcoming These Challenges

For a balance to be made real, both sides must evolve:

a. Flexible Institutions
Christian institutions must acknowledge the value of Cultural Christianity as a legitimate expression of faith and welcome collaboration with those who engage with Christian ethics outside traditional frameworks.
A more open stance can help align traditional values with modern moral reasoning.

b. Strengthening Grassroots Movements
Cultural Christians could organize into ethical communities or coalitions that prioritize action over belief, focusing on social issues like poverty, climate change, and human rights.
These movements could work alongside, but independently of, traditional Christian institutions.

c. Fostering Dialogue
Open dialogue between religious and secular communities, facilitated by Cultural Christians, can help highlight shared goals and reduce the divisiveness often associated with anti-theism or dogmatic religion.

d. Focusing on Actionable Ethics
Both groups should emphasize actionable ethics over theoretical or eschatological waiting. Teachings like “love your neighbor” and “help the poor” have immediate and universal applicability that transcends religious divisions.

Conclusion

A balance between Cultural Christianity and Culturally Christian perspectives is not only possible but necessary for a society that seeks to respect the wisdom of moral traditions while embracing the adaptability of modern ethics. Achieving this balance requires openness to reinterpretation, a focus on shared humanity, and a commitment to actionable change. The primary barrier to realization is the tendency for both religious and secular extremes to resist compromise, but a growing number of individuals like Elon Musk who embrace the “middle ground” may pave the way for broader societal transformation.