The similar phrase 'Worldly Christianity' is one used by Bonhoeffer. It's J Gresham Machen that I want to line up most closely with. See his Christianity and culture here. Having done commentaries on Proverbs (Heavenly Wisdom) and Song of Songs (Heavenly Love), a matching title for Ecclesiastes would be Heavenly Worldliness. For my stance on worldliness, see 3 posts here.
- Julie Christie, film actress
- John Cleese, actor/comedian (in 1996; he reportedly thought it was "silly", and later declined a life peerage)
- John Cole, journalist, latterly BBC Political Editor (in 1993)
- Brian Eno, musician (in 2007)
- Lucian Freud, artist (in 1977; later accepted appointment as CH in 1983, and OM in 1993).
- F R Leavis, literary critic. Refused in 1966; but later accepted appointment as CH.
- Ken Livingstone, former Mayor of London, due to be honoured for his services to the 2012 Olympics (turned down an honour in the 2013 New Years Honours due to his belief that politicians should not get such awards).
- Malcolm McDowell, actor (in 1984)
- George Melly, musician, writer, critic, artist and raconteur (in 2001)
- Paul Weller, musician (in 2007).
- J. G. Ballard, author (in 2003; "the honours system is a Ruritanian charade that helps to prop up the top-heavy monarchy.").
- Julian Barnes, novelist
- Honor Blackman, actress (in 2002; she is a republican)
- C. S. Forester, novelist (in 1953)
- Robert Graves, poet and novelist (in 1957; later declined appointment as CH in 1984)
- Graham Greene, author (in 1956) (later accepted appointment as CH and OM, neither of which are titles granting rank or precedence)
- C. S. Lewis, author, theologian, Oxford professor (in 1951, declined in order to avoid association with any political issues)
- Seán O'Casey, playwright (in 1963)
- Sue Townsend novelist and playwright
- Evelyn Waugh, novelist (in 1959, wanted a knighthood
