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Secular Religion

Do any of you still culturally identify with a religion or denomination? I've heard so many people describe themselves as "culturally Catholic" or "culturally Jewish", etc. But what all does that entail?

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Permalink Reply by Dean Smith on February 27, 2011 at 6:30pm

I UU. Do you UU too?

Permalink Reply by Chris Haughey on May 23, 2011 at 4:49pm

lol I grew up UU. I would still UU but alas no UU here.

Permalink Reply by John Grow on February 27, 2011 at 6:33pm

For myself, connecting with any of that sort of labeling is more about the residual acculturation from my upbringing, or the beliefs I've culled from that upbringing I wish to bring forward with me.

For example, I consider myself a recovering Catholic as that is what I was raised with, and must now contend with as I live my life. It has little significance otherwise.

Permalink Reply by David Rosman on February 27, 2011 at 6:41pm

I am a Jew by tradition, a UU by affiliation, a Humanist in spirituality and an atheist by belief. There is nothing wrong with admitting ones traditions and background. It part of makes us individuals and not part of a herd.

Permalink Reply by Aiden on March 1, 2011 at 12:57pm

Depending on the region, this can still be an important designation, especially in places like Northern Ireland. I think it was the Irish comedian Dara O'Briain who cracked wise about being an atheist and was asked whether he was a Catholic-atheist or a Protestant-atheist...

Permalink Reply by Dogly on April 9, 2011 at 11:40pm

Aiden, that's hilarious! I guess I'm a Catholic-atheist. Isn't Irishcatholic one word? My father taught me that there are no Irish-protestants, just invaders who never went back to England and Scotland.

Permalink Reply by Aiden on April 10, 2011 at 5:32am

Yeah, I come from an Irish Catholic family as well.

Actually, many of the "Irish Protestants" see themselves as English/British, despite being born in Ireland and having family there for 300+ years. However, there are and have always been Protestants on the side of Irish Nationalism, so it's not a purely religious conflict. As much as I loathe the Catholic church, I still identify with the "Catholic side" of the struggle simply on a civil rights level.

Permalink Reply by annet on February 12, 2012 at 10:58am

Thanks Aiden, Dara O is a hoot!

Permalink Reply by patty on April 24, 2011 at 7:41pm

I actually do do still connect with my Lutheran roots. My family is from the midwest and they're Scandanavian so it kind of goes with my heritage. I wouldn't say that I am a cultural Lutheran, but I would say I connect with my Lutheran roots.

Permalink Reply by Rhonda Boyer on June 14, 2011 at 12:28pm

I think there may still be a tendency to identify with the past. I was raised mainly Southern Baptist, and can still tell you all about it. We always knew where we were going to be Sunday morning and evening, and Wednesday evenings.

Hubby was raised Catholic, but never went after they stopped forcing him to. He goes for weddings or funerals, and that is all the more often he is ever inside a church. He isn't an atheist, but seems pretty darn close to it.

Permalink Reply by D.O.S on June 18, 2011 at 8:25am

Seems like an oxymoron to me. It seems to come down to our failure to move away from tribal tendencies. After all, what can religious affiliations contribute that non-religious affiliations can't?

My mom is a theist (never cared for organized religion) and my dad is an atheist. My extended family is predominantly, though nominally, Christian. They are however a bunch of religious mutts; Catholics, Baptists, Southern Baptists, Episcopalians, various Evangelical/Charismatic denominations. Some practicing, some lapsed.

Permalink Reply by annet on February 12, 2012 at 11:01am

I'm an ex-catholic and at times have defined myself as culturally catholic. Someday maybe that will be all that is left of catholicism. My family is Louisiana Creole and they have always been ferociously catholic often to their own detriment.