A Cultural Hindu is a religiously unobservant individual who identifies with Hinduism, usually due to family background.[1]
Emory University professor John Y. Fenton defines the locution as follows:[1]
The term "cultural Hindu" generally refers to Desis with a Hindu family background who have low observance of religious practices and whose identification with the Hindu religious tradition is primarily cultural or communal.[1]
The term has come into vogue as a result of secularization.[2] Cultural Hindus, while not religiously devout, may still observe Hindu festivals, such as Diwali.[3] For these individuals, this commemoration of Hindu festivals, as well as occasional temple attendance, serve as a celebration of their heritage.[4]
The term "cultural Hindu" refers to Indians with a Hindu family background who have low observance of religious practices and whose identification with the Hindu religious tradition is primarily cultural or communal.
Terms such as "cultural Christian," "cultural Moslem," or "cultural Hindu" express the reality of seculariztion, where labels imply family descent, but not any practices.