I have always considered ‘cultural christians’ to be the ones who, when asked by someone, say they’re lutheran, or catholic, or whatever, but they never go to church and aren’t really dedicated to the religion or it’s teachings in any real way. Some even end up being agnostic or atheist themselves…

I just finished reading a book on Dolley Madison by Catherine Allgor. She says “Dolley’s most lasting contribution to the formation of American politics lay in her creation of the “unofficial office” of first lady…… The First Lady answers the crucial need for the ceremonial in American politics;…… Ceremonial symbolism, which operates on emotional and psychological levels, unites people…… By her ceremonial symbolism, allowed Americans, many of whom may never leave the town of their birth, to imagine themselves as part of a larger entity – as citizens of part of the United States of America.”

I think you could say that religious ceremony and ritual does much the same thing. Your post helped me articulate and integrate my non belief in Christianity with my love of the ritual, music and symbols.