We hear about cafeteria Catholics, but what about

[JonNC]

That’s a good question.

Why don’t people talk about “cafeteria Christians”? Or, for that matter, “cafeteria Protestants”? (Well, I guess there’s one obviously answer to the latter question, i.e. that “cafeteria Protestants” has no alliteration. )

How about “potluck Protestants”, then?

And we do have then - in the Lutheran Church. There are many (certainly not all) in the ELCA that want to legitimize gay clergy, who are in a “committed relationship”. There are some in my own LCMS who are just fine with communion 2 a month. And lots of others.
Yep, we got 'em, too.

Jon

 

[JonNC]

Seeing as they broke off from the true Church, all of them must be Cafeteria Christians.

Actually, most cNN’s did not break off from the “true church”. The reformation was 500 years ago, so we weren’t around.

Jon

 

[kalt]

I agree.

I hate this thread, if for no other reason, and there is little other reason, it has made me side with O.S. Luke.

I was interested at the title because there are Cafeteria Christians, they are typically called, “Unitarians,” but, there are stupid things happening in other sects as well.

Anglicans: Who knew that starting a religion SOLELY on the principle of the no fault divorce would get morals murky over time?

Reformed: Women pastors

In general: the people who don’t believe going to church makes a difference, those people who preach that God hates __________, the people behind the pulpit who lead congregations and teach that Jesus wasn’t divine, those who would like to incorporate eastern philosophies at odds with the core teachings of Catholicism, unchaste and immoral actions inspite of regular prayer and church attendance (though, this may be due to an ill informed conscience), ect.

There ARE plenty of ways one could be a Cafeteria Christian, but, this thread turned, and maybe it didn’t start out that way, to bash and bait Protestants. Speck meet Beam.

This thread really, SHOULD be reported for the lack of charity it tolerates.

You “hate” the thread, but used it to make a quite lengthy speech on the topic.

Many non-Catholic Christians criticize Catholics for being “Cafeteria Catholics” while they continually form new churches because they can’t agree on doctrine.

It really is a speck and beam issue, don’t you think?

I think it’s odd that they pride themselves on the right to determine doctrine for themselves, but chide what they call “Cafeteria Catholics” for not following Catholic doctrine to the letter. Shouldn’t they applaud that kind of self-determination in faith?

 

[kalt]

It’s illegitimate the way you post it. There are certainly Cafeteria Christians, but trying to show that “Protestants do it too” doesn’t change the fact that Catholics do it. That’s the textbook definition of the Strawman fallacy.

Why didn’t you just say, “Why do we have Cafeteria Christians?” instead of making Catholics sound better than Protestants? That’s what you did in your post, whether you meant to or not or whether you like it or not.

That’s a page out of the Jack Chick book. He’s not right to do it, either.

You have assumed, God knows why, that I was attempting to deny the fact that we have Cafeteria Catholics. That isn’t what I did. That’s how you took it–I guess because of prejudice, because there was nothing in the OP or anything I’ve written since that says, or remotely implies, that Catholics are better. And better what? Cafeteria Christianity?

I acknowledged in the first sentence that “We hear of Cafeteria Catholics”. Even Catholics acknowledge that some Catholics pick and choose what they want to believe and toss the rest. You assumed that that “We hear about” meant that Catholics don’t acknowledge the fact. Can you explain why you made that assumption based on the three written words, “We hear about”, when we hear about it from Catholics (even on these Cathollic boards!), too?

Nowhere in my post or in this thread have I, or anyone else, said that Catholics are better than Protestants. The post, on the contrary, points out that non-Catholic Christians are **also **guilty. They don’t seem to acknowledge this, at least not openly.
Your response is an example of the reluctance to acknowledge the fact, I think.

You suggest that I ask a different question. That wasn’t the question I wanted to ask. I know why we have Cafeteria Christians. And why we have Cafeteria Christians wasn’t what I wanted to know.

I wanted to know why we never, until this thread, hear anyone (Catholic or non-Catholic) talk about “Cafeteria Christians”?

 

[O.S.Luke]

You have assumed, God knows why, that I was attempting to deny the fact that we have Cafeteria Catholics. That isn’t what I did. That’s how you took it–I guess because of prejudice, because there was nothing in the OP or anything I’ve written since that says, or remotely implies, that Catholics are better. And better what? Cafeteria Christianity?

I acknowledged in the first sentence that “We hear of Cafeteria Catholics”. Even Catholics acknowledge that some Catholics pick and choose what they want to believe and toss the rest. You assumed that that “We hear about” meant that Catholics don’t acknowledge the fact. Can you explain why you made that assumption based on the three written words, “We hear about”, when we hear about it from Catholics (even on these Cathollic boards!), too?

Nowhere in my post or in this thread have I, or anyone else, said that Catholics are better than Protestants. The post, on the contrary, points out that non-Catholic Christians are **also **guilty. They don’t seem to acknowledge this, at least not openly.
Your response is an example of the reluctance to acknowledge the fact, I think.

You suggest that I ask a different question. That wasn’t the question I wanted to ask. I know why we have Cafeteria Christians. And why we have Cafeteria Christians wasn’t what I wanted to know.

I wanted to know why we never, until this thread, hear anyone (Catholic or non-Catholic) talk about “Cafeteria Christians”?

You’re backpedaling now. It’s an uncharitable thread. If you feel good about it, tho, post away, Kalt.

 

[banarick]

Is a cafeteria bad? Can it be like a really good Sunday buffet where you get to try everything and really dig into what you like? Maybe much is presented to us on the table with the hope that something will simply send us to heaven?
I am thinking of chocolate right now. I am getting hungry.

 

[Eleve]

It’s illegitimate the way you post it. There are certainly Cafeteria Christians, but trying to show that “Protestants do it too” doesn’t change the fact that Catholics do it. That’s the textbook definition of the Strawman fallacy.

I think you have the wrong fallacy. You just gave a textbook example of the tu quoque fallacy; a strawman would be if Protestants really never were Cafeteria Christians.

 

[Peter_J]

Is a cafeteria bad?

The word “cafeteria” isn’t perjorative, but the phrase “cafeteria Catholic” is usually perjorative. You’d be very hard-pressed to find self-proclaimed “cafeteria Catholics”. (There was a non-Christian here – I don’t remember his name – who said that he used to be a “cafeteria Catholic”; but that’s pretty rare in my experience. Usually the term “cafeteria Catholic” is only applied to people that the speaker disagrees with.)

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

The word “cafeteria” isn’t perjorative, but the phrase “cafeteria Catholic” is usually perjorative. You’d be very hard-pressed to find self-proclaimed “cafeteria Catholics”. (There was a non-Christian here – I don’t remember his name – who said that he used to be a “cafeteria Catholic”; but that’s pretty rare in my experience. Usually the term “cafeteria Catholic” is only applied to people that the speaker disagrees with.)

I agree wholeheartedly. Calling someone a “Cafeteria Catholic” is definitely not a compliment. And the person making the charge is often perceived as high and mighty, boasting (as Paul admonishes us never to do in our works) and arrogant. The person comes off Pharisaic saying “I’m following the rules and you’re not. I’m holy and doing the right thing. How bout you!?” I used to use this term myself but realized how insulting it really is. It made me look condescending and self-righteous, too. We Catholics all fall short of the glory and perfection of God and need forgiveness.

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

Is a cafeteria bad? Can it be like a really good Sunday buffet where you get to try everything and really dig into what you like? Maybe much is presented to us on the table with the hope that something will simply send us to heaven?
I am thinking of chocolate right now. I am getting hungry.

The Anglicans had a much better buffet when I went to that church. They had this butt-kickin’ coffee hour full of everything. Oh man. Dessert heaven. I went back to Catholicism and after Mass-nothin’! LOL…People always talk about what they gave up to come back to Catholicism. I mostly miss coffee hour the most! lol

 

[kalt]

You’re backpedaling now. It’s an uncharitable thread. If you feel good about it, tho, post away, Kalt.

Yeah, OK O.S. Luke. Even taking the time to explain the very simple to you is of no use. If you want to play victim, have at it.

 

[kalt]

Is a cafeteria bad? Can it be like a really good Sunday buffet where you get to try everything and really dig into what you like? Maybe much is presented to us on the table with the hope that something will simply send us to heaven?
I am thinking of chocolate right now. I am getting hungry.

My spouse once grabbed the whole bowl of caviar from the buffet, thinking it was “dip”. Dig in!

 

[O.S.Luke]

Yeah, OK O.S. Luke. Even taking the time to explain the very simple to you is of no use. If you want to play victim, have at it.

I’m not a victim - just embarrassed for you. And since I’m not the only one who’s noticed, maybe you ought to think twice. Forget me - think about the 1000’s who read this and only have your posts by which to form an impression of you - and your faith.

Peace.

 

[JonNC]

I wanted to know why we never, until this thread, hear anyone (Catholic or non-Catholic) talk about “Cafeteria Christians”?

You’re probably on the wrong forum to hear it. If one goes to a predominantly Lutheran forum, for example, you will read LCMS Lutherans referring to ELCA Lutherans in this way (though probably in harsher terms), and WELS Lutherans referring to all other Lutherans this way . An exaggeration, of course, but you get the point.

Moreover, it seems to me that one hears Catholics use the term Cafeteria Catholic more than Protestants do.

Jon

 

[O.S.Luke]

I think you have the wrong fallacy. You just gave a textbook example of the tu quoque fallacy; a strawman would be if Protestants really never were Cafeteria Christians.

Eleve - you are of course right. My philosophy professor will want the A- back that he gave me.

 

[kalt]

I’m not a victim - just embarrassed for you. And since I’m not the only one who’s noticed, maybe you ought to think twice. Forget me - think about the 1000’s who read this and only have your posts by which to form an impression of you - and your faith.

Peace.

Insisting on misinterpeting a simple sentence is purely a reflection on you.

Ok, you’re forgotten.

 

[kalt]

Eleve - you are of course right. My philosophy professor will want the A- back that he gave me.

Yeah, too bad the example you gave didn’t accurately represent the OP. A-? He’s going to want that back, and more.

 

[kalt]

You’re probably on the wrong forum to hear it. If one goes to a predominantly Lutheran forum, for example, you will read LCMS Lutherans referring to ELCA Lutherans in this way (though probably in harsher terms), and WELS Lutherans referring to all other Lutherans this way . An exaggeration, of course, but you get the point.

Moreover, it seems to me that one hears Catholics use the term Cafeteria Catholic more than Protestants do.

Jon

I have, too. But then I talk about religion with Catholics more than with non-Catholics.