Should "Cafeteria Catholics" just become Protestant?

[Barbkw]

People do reform. Advancing age and fear of the Lord - are great motivators for those of us who are less inclined toward humility.

 

[novusCatholic]

I’m currently in RCIA and will be coming into full communion with the Church this Easter Vigil. The process of learning about the Catholic faith has been a wonderful experience for me. So much depth, history, and beauty. I’ve put a real effort into learning as much as I can and being able to fully accept it as truth.

There have been times over the past several months when I have reached out to Catholic friends or acquaintances to discuss the faith. It was disappointing when some who were life long Catholics didn’t seem to know as much about the faith or the history of the church as I thought they would. Some, who had converted to Catholicism, even seem to think that there is a different sets of rules for those who weren’t born into the faith.

 

[meltzerboy]

I agree, here I believe we are more on the right track now.

God Bless, Gary

We’re agreeing more and more these days, Gary! (BTW, I wasn’t ignoring your message; I just don’t have an answer to it.)

 

[Tantum_ergo]

Ideally, “cafeteria Catholics” should educate (or in some cases, either ‘re-educate’ or ‘properly’ educate themselves) and become fervent practicing Catholics. We want people to move forward in their ‘faith journey’ (or however you want to put ‘living a good Catholic life’), not backward. Rejecting any part of the truth is moving backward.

 

[Prodigal_Son1]

Should “Cafeteria Catholics” just become Protestant?

That question is so wrong. On so many levels.

It reminds me of the time the Apostles asked who would be the greater, among themselves, in heaven.

 

[elvisman]

Followed by “go and sin no more”. Funny how will always seem to miss that part!

[SIGN]AMEN![/SIGN]

 

[kathmandu]

Such an interesting question. I have always said yes. I have never understood why people who approach a religion like eating a fish(you eat the part you like, and throw the rest away) stay in that religion and tell everyone that they are members of said religion, some of which have not seen the inside of a church in years. Why not find one that fits what you believe. Wouldn’t that be more honest?

Another poster brought up the point of some Roman Catholics don’t know any better. I have always found that hard to believe, but maybe it really is true. I am married to a “cafeteria catholic” who attends church every Sunday and it has taken me a while to understand that there are things he does not accept about his church and there are things that he does not want to know about. I find it more than confusing. Personally it would bother me to be in that position.

 

[Barbkw]

There have been times over the past several months when I have reached out to Catholic friends or acquaintances to discuss the faith. It was disappointing when some who were life long Catholics didn’t seem to know as much about the faith or the history of the church as I thought they would. Some, who had converted to Catholicism, even seem to think that there is a different sets of rules for those who weren’t born into the faith.

RCIA as an adult is a wonderful process. I’m a revert Catholic. When I returned to Church I sat in on RCIA to relearn what I’d missed. I’ve been a sponsor now twice and I continue to learn from the program. As you’ve learned in RCIA, faith is a continual conversion process.

Side note to cradle “cafeteria” Catholics:

We cradle Catholics know mortal sin and the doctrine of the Church. And, that we are not to receive Eucharist in a state of mortal sin.

Object all you want to doctrine (bang your head against that rock) but don’t receive Eucharist. At the end of life, personal opinion on a matter - doesn’t matter.

 

[StJudePray4Me]

Just for my edification, what qualifies as a Cafeteria Catholic? On one or more teaching of the CC

A. Believes but struggles to obey

B. Obeys but struggles to believe

C. Neither believes nor obeys

 

[PJM]

=Serap;7773664]98% of Catholic women use ABC. Many Catholics are not anti gay marriage. Many Catholics do not agree with the teachings of the CC, but b/c they were raised Catholic, they remain Catholic.

Shouldn’t they just become Protestant instead? Or should they remain Catholic despite their belief that the CC is outdated.

btw…I am not talking about abortion here. Please don’t bring this up. Every woman I know that fits the description of Cafeteria Catholic is very anti-abortion.

I think NOT!

WHY?

Because it’s against God’s Will. Because it targets them for hell. Because God would much prefer that they become Informed, Practicing Catholics…

Having said this God Will accept there personal life choices and grant approiate reward or punishment. We choose heaven or hell; God only affirms our lifes decissions

God Bless,
Pat

 

[ByzCath08]

In all my times attending Mass, I never heard a Priest speak about NFP. It wasn’t until my wife & I reverted back to our faith that we come to understand why the Church teaches what they do on contraception. So, I guess that would have qualified me as a cafeteria Catholic. We need strong clergy who preach & teach the truth no matter how difficult it is.

Now that I’m back in the boat, so to speak, I’m in 100%. Once you have been taught what/why the Church teaches, you have to make a choice to follow 100% or not. My question to those who know what/why the Church teaches, yet choose not to follow is why do you want to remain Catholic?

 

[kathmandu]

I think NOT!

WHY?

Because it’s against God’s Will. Because it targets them for hell. Because God would much prefer that they become Informed, Practicing Catholics…

Having said this God Will accept there personal life choices and grant approiate reward or punishment. We choose heaven or hell; God only affirms our lifes decissions

God Bless,
Pat

But what if they never become informed, practicing catholics?

 

[Barbkw]

In all my times attending Mass, I never heard a Priest speak about NFP.

Same here, I’ve never heard NFP spoken in our Church either. I don’t know if the subject is brought up in preCana - (but isn’t it a bit late even then?)

I’ve been through 2 years of RCIA and I haven’t heard NFP brought up there either. It’s in the reading material if the candidate chooses to read through it.

I’d think, being that ABC has been determined to be a mortal sin, that RCIA would be the most opportune place to have the NFP instructor visit.

I know so little about NFP - that I can’t speak with any knowledge about the program.

 

[Prodigal_Son1]

But what if they never become informed, practicing catholics?

It’s not for anyone on earth to judge anyone else. And as for ‘obeying’, it’s the Church leaders that rule, not the laypersons.

I think it’s a most hypocritical argument for anyone to make; that is, certain people need be excluded from HIS Church. Is anyone perfect? Does imperfections make them ‘cafeteria’?

 

[ConsciousCoward]

No, they shouldn’t become Protestant. Our churches have enough unfaithful Christians (they assume the title but don’t follow Christ) that are just like them.

Regardless of whether they’re cafeteria Catholics or unfaithful Protestants, they’re still not doing what either says. Faithful Protestants are more faithful than cafeteria Catholics. It’s as simple as that. Both cafeteria Catholics and unfaithful Protestants are essentially the same thing, but under a different name, so it really doesn’t matter which church they say they go to. Also, Protestant churches are not containers for the unfaithful. Some of us are quite faithful.

Regardless or the title they assume, unfaithful Protestants and unfaithful Catholics both need loving correction, not ostracizing.

 

[Radical]

**Anyone choosing to remain Catholic must adhere to the teachings of the Church as stated in the “CCC 2nd Ed”.**says who? I know that is the position of the conservative Catholic, but who says that they are right?

The Catholic Church does not vote on what is right and wrong, as is done in some Protestant denominations.

 

[Radical]

Radical:

.

As Catholics, we believe that the Church teaches the truth as handed down in Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition. This is the same Church which was founded in the following passage by our Lord Jesus Christ Himself.

ahh…that should be “As conservative Catholics we believe…” The Vatican puts the number of Catholics in the world at about 1.2 billion…and I doubt that the majority of them believe that the CC only teaches “the truth as handed down in Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition”

Protestantism does not have the Four Marks of the Church: One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic. Protestantism is a heresy,…

according to you…but so what?

 

[kathmandu]

says who? I know that is the position of the conservative Catholic, but who says that they are right?

but the CC does evolve/develop…maybe these Cafeteria Catholics are just ahead of the curve (and are the one’s with the fuller understanding)?

well, if you want claim that to remain Catholic one must adhere to the official teachings of the Church as stated in the CCC then I would add:

a) no official w/i the CC and no conservative Catholic here should ever claim that there are 1.1 billion + Catholics in the world…rather they should say that there is probably somewhere between 100-200 million Catholics in the world…to include those who don’t follow the CCC would be disingenuous (if you have made that claim).

b) until the CC officially tells all those Catholics who don’t toe-the-line to get lost no official w/i the CC and no conservative Catholic here should ever ridicule Protestants for having many denominations…b/c, after all, those numerous denominations arise b/c Protestants tend to leave when they don’t believe as their leaders believe…in contrast, it seems that the CC says believe one thing and then tolerates all sorts of variations.

This is exactly what I don’t understand about Roman Catholicism, the say one thing and do the other. It is a good thing we have choices as Christians as to how we worship. I make a much better Protestant than I would a Catholic being that there is so much that I personally do not believe in Roman Catholic dogma. I can’t be a hypocrite. In affect isn’t that being a liar?

The 1.1 billion number is, I believe, the number of people who were baptized Roman Catholic. Correct me if I am wrong. The once baptized Catholic always a Catholic claim. But included in that number are the non-practicing, the cafeteria-style folks, and those who have outright left the church. Who are the true practicing Catholics who are actually living the faith, actually have the faith and live it in sincerity?

 

[kathmandu]

If you are not living your life according to Roman Catholic rules, but instead picking and choosing the rules that you like, is that not also heresy through your actions? Cafeteria Catholics going to the altar to receive communion are a source of scandal I am told to the rest of the congregation. How do you justify that?

 

[Prodigal_Son1]

This is exactly what I don’t understand about Roman Catholicism, the say one thing and do the other. It is a good thing we have choices as Christians as to how we worship. I make a much better Protestant than I would a Catholic being that there is so much that I personally do not believe in Roman Catholic dogma. I can’t be a hypocrite. In affect isn’t that being a liar?

The 1.1 billion number is, I believe, the number of people who were baptized Roman Catholic. Correct me if I am wrong. The once baptized Catholic always a Catholic claim. But included in that number are the non-practicing, the cafeteria-style folks, and those who have outright left the church. Who are the true practicing Catholics who are actually living the faith, actually have the faith and live it in sincerity?

Using ‘choices’ as how to worship is no different than what some Catholics are being described as ‘cafeteria’.

In any Church, the number includes those less than perfect in the eyes of others, also imperfect themselves yet placing themselves above others in their own judgments. Dangerous business, in my opinion.