Recent data reveal a sharp increase in Americans identifying as evangelical while disengaging from church attendance. In 2008, just 3% of self-identified evangelicals reported never attending church. By 2023, this figure had risen to 10%, with 17% seldom attending. This shift marks a growing faction of “cultural Christians” who prioritize tradition and conservative values over religious practices.
Cultural Christianity and Its Secular Foundations
Cultural Christians adopt Christian values without spiritual commitment. Often rejecting liberal cultural norms, they advocate for conventional families, tradition, and minimal government intervention. Influential figures like Elon Musk and Joe Rogan have embraced this identity, framing it as a response to what they perceive as societal chaos driven by liberal ideologies. Critics argue that cultural Christianity lacks the moral obligations of spiritual faith, instead fostering a victimhood narrative.
Political Implications and Global Context
This trend is reshaping the evangelical movement, with prominent cultural Christians like Richard Dawkins and Ayaan Hirsi Ali focusing on Western cultural supremacy rather than religious principles. Critics highlight the movement’s Eurocentric roots, contrasting it with the global Christian majority in the developing world. Simultaneously, data from Ryan Burge show rising evangelical self-identification among non-Christian Republicans, reflecting the political entanglements of cultural Christianity.
The Role of Nostalgia in Cultural Christianity
Cultural Christianity often invokes a longing for an idealized past. This perspective appeals to those frustrated by economic pressures and changing gender roles, fostering a reactionary response to modern societal changes. Advocates argue that liberal consumerism has led to cultural absurdities, necessitating a return to perceived traditional values.
A Shift in the Evangelical Landscape
Unlike traditional evangelicalism, which focuses on personal salvation, cultural Christianity seeks societal transformation. This movement views liberal culture as a threat, prioritizing order and nostalgia over spiritual obligations. Supporters see it as a defense of Western values, while detractors view it as a shallow, politically driven ideology.
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The “Cultural Christians” Are Taking Over the Conservative Movement
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