Theology Question Please!?

Question

Does one have to discard his/her culture, in order to be Christian?

Answer 1

Not at all. You may have to give up certain practices if they violate cannon law, but there is no reason you cannot keep your cultural identity.

Answer 2

Aeris asked: "Does one have to discard his/her culture, in order to be Christian?"

The question is more related to Christian Faith & Life than it is to theology, but to respond to the question: not necessarily. The answer to your question most likely depends upon your reason(s) for wanting to become a Christian.

If, for example, you desire to become a Christian because you feel a need to get away from a person(s) or thing(s) harmful or hurtful in effect and influence upon you, then you should do that by any means available to you whether you become a Christian or not.

Or, perhaps your culture won't allow you to investigate or experience a faith-life founded on divine-like goodness, kindness, or socially appropriate behavior by and toward all people, like the faith-life found within "the Word" of Jesus of Nazareth. Then, yes, you could become a Christian and work within your culture to improve the beliefs and behaviors of others.

Remember, though, that Christianity isn't the only card on the table, and that a Word of godly and godlike living has also been delivered by other spiritual teachers both before and after Jesus. You might want to investigate those options, too, and make an informed decision based upon all available information that may aide and comfort you during your journey regardless of the path you chose to follow.

Answer 3

There is a large range of things that make up a culture. Christianity can be inculturated in any culture without abandoning what is wholesome and good in any culture. More so Christianity itself can gain many precious insights for itself from the many different cultures it grows into. Christianity is not - like it has happened in the past - the Romanisation of different universal cultures - like the Spanish and the Portuguese tried to do in the New World. Although there are still conservative and fundamentalist pressures among the Catholic and Christian denominations - the essential Christianity in today's world is to make people encounter Jesus Christ the person; who he was in his nature and his radical attitude as the model of an authentic humanity.
Cultures and religions are secondary compared to the people of all races that share a common humanity - the humanity that Jesus shared with us.

Peace

Answer 4

That would depend on what culture you consider to be your own. If you were raised with Christianity, then no you would not be giving up your culture. To fully embrace and accept Christianity I think that likely any other type of culture would have to be set aside.

Maybe it has been forced upon peoples too.
Look what the Europeans brought to the Native Americans. Take a look at what the Christian missionaries bring when they go to Africa, Asia, etc. The fear factor is a very powerful motivator. When one is faced with acceptance of Christianity as the only way for salvation as opposed to damnation by continuing with the "old ways", it must be very difficult for those reared in a non-Christian environment to accept and change.

In my opinion, the answer to your question is yes.

Answer 5

If you mean your ethnic, or national, or similar culture...no.

Christianity is more a culture of belief than it is action or appearance. It's possible (and common) to live within two or more cultures. (Of course, part of the Christian Culture is trying to act and behave in a manner pleasing to God.)

For example there are Polish Christians who consider it perfectly normal to hold a "Polka service." This might seem absurd to a say, Southern Baptist service where the pipe organ is considered "normal."

Or someone might live within the "criminal" culture in prison or in the mob. They can still live within the Christian Culture.

As hard as it is for us to admit, one of the requirements for being a Christian is that we all must be part of a sinful culture. A sinless person cannot be a Christian.

During the Catholic Mass, we have a ritual where we offer the "Sign of Peace" to our fellow worshipers. In some cultures, a bow is the norm. In others, it might be a handshake, a triple kiss on the cheek, or even a dance.

In some cultures, "Sunday Best" (coat and tie or skirt and heels) are the norm. In other cultures, rags might be the norm. In services at a resort or beach area, a swimsuit and flip-flops might be proper for the culture.

These are examples of a culture acting within another culture.

Answer 6

If another religion is part of the culture--as for instance Islam is in many Middle-Eastern nations--then one might have to. But I see no reason why any culture would need to be discarded completely. No culture I know of at least.

Answer 7

Does replies from a Anthropology background count? If there's one thing a researcher notice is how X-ity can (& historically repeatedly) adapted (evolved??) when converting new cultures. Philippines is a good example.

I recall a discussion where a Fundy honestly though that it was possible to just substitute the indigenous spirituality for the X-ian faith. There ARE those who believe this is possible -many other do not.

So yeah there are some indigenous groups who would have to surrender aspects of their culture to become X-ian.

.

Answer 8

That depends on the culture. I suppose you could only do "some" of the things that you're used to and still consider yourself a Christian.

Most people just ignore the parts of their religion they disagree with then go beg for forgiveness once a week.

Answer 9

the only difference between a religious man, and a christian is, a religious man goes to church regularly and pray to God,whereby a christian follow Jesus ,goes out in the world and help rescue lost souls. not atheists, because they dont need it ,not muslims, because they already have a belief system, but only the depressed, the seekers and everyone that needs a saviour, regardless of creed or collor

Answer 10

No, but you are required to abandon common sense and rational thought.

If you have questions, you must seek the answers in the bible and if the answers seem silly, you must find a way to make them seem perfectly sensible. You will learn how to do this when you acquire faith.