Don Cupitt

Don Cupitt (22 May 1934 – 18 January 2025) was an English philosopher of religion and academic of Christian theology. He had been an Anglican priest and a lecturer in the University of Cambridge, though he was better known as a popular writer, broadcaster and commentator. He was described as a "radical theologian", noted for his ideas about "non-realist" philosophy of religion. Cupitt was born in Oldham, Lancashire, England. He was educated at Charterhouse School, Trinity Hall, Cambridge, and Westcott House, Cambridge, where he studied natural sciences, theology, and the philosophy of religion. He was ordained as a deacon in the Church of England in 1959 and as a priest in 1960. After serving as a curate, his radical views led him to leave church ministry. He became a fellow and dean at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, and held a university teaching post in the philosophy of religion until his retirement in 1996. Cupitt gained public attention with his 1984 BBC television series *The Sea of Faith*, which explored the decline of faith and challenged orthodox Christian beliefs. He was a key figure in the Sea of Faith Network. His views evolved over time, moving towards postmodernism and describing his position as "empty radical humanism". He considered himself a Christian non-realist, following Christian practices and ethics without belief in metaphysical entities like Christ and God. He termed this way of being "solar living". Cupitt married Susan Day in 1963 and they had three children. He died in Cambridge in 2025 at the age of 90.