Cafeteria plan Catholicism?

Question

I understand that for some being Catholic or Jewish or Mormon or (Insert religion here) is a cultureal heritage rather that a personally chosen belief system but would someone please explain the propensity of so many Catholics in America to personally disagree with fundimental doctrines of their church and still refer to themselves as Catholic?

The term "dogmatic" means either to believe in the doctrines of your professed faith without equivocation or to swallow them hook, line and sinker depending on your perspective. To the best of my knowledge only Catholics and Mormons consider the term a complement. For most others it is a synonym for pigheaded inflexibility. If a Mormon has a question, a doubt, a crisis of faith, you consult with leaders, you study, you fast and pray. Above all you handle it privately. If you take you disagreement public you will be invited to continue your public disagreement as an ex-member (excommunication). The Catholic attitude as evidenced by some of the responces to this post is quite different.

Christy you can call yourself what ever you want. However I do thank you for a demonstration of the attitude that makes me scratch my head---- though I did ask for an explanation rather than a demonstration. PS Cafeteria plan means you get to pick and chose what you like.

Answer 1

Cafeteria style dining means to pick and choose what food to take from a cafeteria line.

The term "Cafeteria Christians" refers to people who view Christianity like a cafeteria where one picks and chooses only those beliefs that appeal to them and reject a genuine interpretation of Christian doctrine and the teachings of Jesus.

The term "Cafeteria Catholics" is similar. It is used to describe people who dissent from certain teachings of the Catholic Church while maintaining an outward identity as Catholics.

In Los Angeles in 1987, Pope John Paul II said: "It has to be noted that there is a tendency on the part of some Catholics to be selective in their adherence to the Church's moral teaching. It is sometimes claimed that dissent from the magisterium is totally compatible with being a "good Catholic," and poses no obstacle to the reception of the Sacraments. This is a grave error that challenges the teaching of the Bishops in the United States and elsewhere."

Heresy is the obstinate denial after Baptism of a truth which must be believed with divine and Catholic faith.

"Cafeteria Catholics" in denial of certain truths are in danger of committing heresy.

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

First you have to understand that "Doctrines" are interpreted by the Pope officially, and therefor infallible. From there things get murky. Knowing that different cultures have different views on the same issue, the church hierarchy "adjusts" the application of doctrine to fit the society it is in. It's not just Catholics, (or haven't you been watching the news?). As the church doctrine reaches the "faithful", it sometimes conflicts from "interpretation" to application. You now have churches who's parishioners and bishops have ordained Gay ministers. Southern Baptists now find that a new faction does not believe in homosexuality, as the church teaches, but also does not believe they are directed by God to legislate it, which is contrary to church elders teachings. The interpretations of doctrine changed all through history. Most of the Protestant beliefs were started by Heretics; however these days the Catholic church has a more cooperative relationship with the other christian religions, and even the non-christian religions.

Answer 3

You can't impose faith on yourself. Whatever you believe must necessarily grow out of the framework of experiences that you have had.

And for some people, there are aspects that, due to their life experiences, they cannot accept. I think it's better to be true to that, than to pretend to believe in a doctrine that, deep down, you have problems with.

And besides, the church doctrines can be wrong -- just look at all the wars of religion that have been fought, the subjugation of women that has occurred in the past, the justification for slavery.

Answer 4

Thats pretty much standard in catholicism. I know several devout Catholics that do not believe or agree with their church. The catholic church is very conservative in their views, but the congregation is generally extremely liberal. It does not make sense. The Methodists on the other hand are liberal in both belief and practice. The Pentecostals/ Charismatics are all over the board. Even in the strict Southern Baptist church many are "cafeteria style" worshipers.

Answer 5

I'm not sure I totally understand your question, but I'm Catholic who completely loves the foundations of my church. I was born into it and came back to it later in life. Some Catholics don't agree with some of the teachings in the Catechism, but honestly even I didn't agree with some of them ....mainly because I was guilty of some of them and I didn't like the truth, the truth hurts. I can't answer for everyone else, just for me, but if I ever disagreed it was because of me, not the Church.

Answer 6

Are you referring to Rudy Giuliani and Ted Kennedy?

The 80% of USA Catholics who practice birth control?

The 98% of USA Catholics who felt the European Pope should have resigned for intentionally covering up child crimes/child abuse from secular police departments to save Rome lawsuit money?

Answer 7

You hit the nail on the head when you addressed the cultural aspect of it. American culture actually emphasizes the independent, "I will do it my way" kind of attitude that leads so many to tailor their respective religion to fit their ideas of what is right. In less democratic societies you find more fundamental adherence to the doctrines of the faith.

Again, this deals in generalizations and is not always true.

Hope that helps.

Answer 8

Many have been infected by modern culture and political correctness - this is true. They are in effect, protestants who don't have the courage to say so. I have more respect for Luther, who at least had the courage to put his money where his mouth was, than I do for many Catholics who go to Mass on Sunday yet totally disregard Catholic moral doctrine.

Answer 9

You cannot disagree with the fundamental ideas of Christianity, and be a real catholic. I suggest, that some may be posers, but that the great majority, you do not understand.
This makes for nothing more than anecdotes.

Answer 10

what are you talking about??? I'm Catholic and I don't agree with a lot of their teachings about homosexuality and abortion but I still consider myself Catholic because I agree with their main teachings as in the Virgin Mary had Jesus and he will come again to save the living and the dead. It's in my opinion that I'm Catholic, you can't tell somebody what they are. That's what I believe I am, and that's my personal choice. And what the heck does that have to do with cafeteria food???