Cafeteria Christianity
Encyclopedia
"Cafeteria Christianity" is a derogatory term used by some Christians
, and others, to accuse other Christian individuals or denominations of selecting which Christian doctrines they will follow, and which they will not.
, 1992. Though the term cafeteria Catholicism had already appeared in Fidelity magazine of E. Michael Jones
in 1986.
Another early use was Richard Holloway
in an interview in the Third Way
, September 2001.
-style means to pick-and-choose, as in choosing what food to purchase from a cafeteria line. The term implies that an individual's professed religious belief is actually a proxy for their personal opinions rather than an acceptance of Christian doctrine
. The selectivity implied may relate to the acceptance of Christian doctrines (such as the resurrection
or the virgin birth of Jesus), or attitudes to moral and ethical issues (for example abortion
, homosexuality
, or idolatry
) and is sometimes associated with discussions concerning the applicability of Old Testament laws to Christians
and interpretation of the Sermon on the Mount.
Cafeteria Christianity is somewhat related to latitudinarianism, the position that differences of opinion on church
organization and doctrine are acceptable within a church.
, either to disqualify a person's omission of a Christian precept, or to invalidate their advocacy of a different precept entirely.
There is some basis for selectiveness in the New Testament
— according to the Council of Jerusalem
in (as well as some of Paul's letters
; see Antinomianism in the New Testament), Gentile
Christians are not obliged to keep the entire Old Testament
Law. However, the Council did retain the prohibitions against eating meat containing blood, or meat of animals not properly slain, and against "fornication" and "idolatry", which is commonly called the Apostolic Decree and is still observed by the Greek Orthodox.
Rabbinic Judaism
asserts that the Laws of the Jewish Bible
were presented to the Jewish people and converts to Judaism
and do not apply to gentiles, including Christians, with the notable exception of the Seven Laws of Noah which apply to all people. Rabbi Emden
of the 18th century was of the opinion that Jesus' original objective, and especially Paul's, was only to convert Gentiles to Noahide Law while allowing Jews to follow full Mosaic Law. See also Dual covenant theology.
The Council of Jerusalem
of about 50 AD was the first meeting in Early Christianity
called upon to consider the application of Mosaic Law
to the new community. Specifically, it had to consider whether new Gentile
convert
s to Christianity were obligated to undergo biblical circumcision
for full membership in the Christian community, though the issue has wider implications. Circumcision was considered repulsive during the period of Hellenization
of the Eastern Mediterranean
.
The decision of the Council came to be called the Apostolic Decree and was that most Mosaic law, including the requirement for circumcision of males, was not obligatory for Gentile converts, possibly in order to make it easier for them to join the movement. However, the Council did retain the prohibitions against eating meat containing blood, or meat of animals not properly slain, and against fornication
and idolatry
. Beginning with Augustine of Hippo
, many have seen a connection to Noahide Law, while some modern scholars reject the connection to Noahide Law and instead see as the basis. See also Old Testament Law directed at non-Jews and Leviticus 18
. The modern debate over the definition of fornication and whether or not it includes Leviticus 18 is part of the Homosexuality and Christianity
debate. Whether or not Old Testament or Hebrew Bible
laws still apply to Christians is part of the Biblical law in Christianity
debate.
, birth control
, premarital sex
, masturbation
, and homosexuality
.
The term is less frequently applied to those who dissent from other Catholic moral teaching on issues such as social justice
, capital punishment
, or just war
; this is because these areas of Catholic teaching are much less clearly dogmatically defined by the Magisterium, and therefore open to debate. The term has been in use since the issuance of Humanae Vitae
, an official document that propounded the Church's opposition to the use of artificial birth control
and advocates natural family planning
.
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
, and others, to accuse other Christian individuals or denominations of selecting which Christian doctrines they will follow, and which they will not.
First use in print
First use in print appears to be in the magazine The MonthThe Month
The Month was a monthly review, published from 1864 to 2001, which for almost all of its history was owned by the English Province of the Society of Jesus and edited by its members.-History:...
, 1992. Though the term cafeteria Catholicism had already appeared in Fidelity magazine of E. Michael Jones
E. Michael Jones
Eugene Michael Jones is a writer, former professor, and the current editor of Culture Wars magazine ....
in 1986.
Another early use was Richard Holloway
Richard Holloway
Richard F. Holloway is a Scottish writer and broadcaster and was formerly Bishop of Edinburgh in the Scottish Episcopal Church....
in an interview in the Third Way
Third way
Third Way may refer to:* Third Way , a political philosophy* Third Position, a nationalist political philosophy* Third Way , a socio-economic philosophy* The Third Way, a 1998 book by British sociologist Anthony Giddens...
, September 2001.
General
CafeteriaCafeteria
A cafeteria is a type of food service location in which there is little or no waiting staff table service, whether a restaurant or within an institution such as a large office building or school; a school dining location is also referred to as a dining hall or canteen...
-style means to pick-and-choose, as in choosing what food to purchase from a cafeteria line. The term implies that an individual's professed religious belief is actually a proxy for their personal opinions rather than an acceptance of Christian doctrine
Doctrine
Doctrine is a codification of beliefs or a body of teachings or instructions, taught principles or positions, as the body of teachings in a branch of knowledge or belief system...
. The selectivity implied may relate to the acceptance of Christian doctrines (such as the resurrection
Resurrection
Resurrection refers to the literal coming back to life of the biologically dead. It is used both with respect to particular individuals or the belief in a General Resurrection of the dead at the end of the world. The General Resurrection is featured prominently in Jewish, Christian, and Muslim...
or the virgin birth of Jesus), or attitudes to moral and ethical issues (for example abortion
Christianity and abortion
The intersection of Christianity and abortion has a long and complex history though there is no mention of abortion in the Christian Bible. While some writers say that early Christians held different beliefs at different times about abortion, others say that, in spite of the silence of the New...
, homosexuality
Homosexuality and Christianity
Christian denominations hold a variety of views on the issues of sexual orientation and homosexuality, ranging from outright condemnation to complete acceptance. In accordance with the traditional values of Abrahamic religions, most Christian denominations welcome people attracted to the same sex,...
, or idolatry
Idolatry in Christianity
A cult image or idol is a material object, representing a deity, to which religious worship is directed. It is also controversially and pejoratively used by some Protestants to describe the Orthodox Christian practice of worshipping the Christian God through the use of icons, a charge which...
) and is sometimes associated with discussions concerning the applicability of Old Testament laws to Christians
Biblical law in Christianity
Christian views of the Old Covenant have been central to Christian theology and practice since the circumcision controversy in Early Christianity. There are differing views about the applicability of the Old Covenant among Christian denominations...
and interpretation of the Sermon on the Mount.
Cafeteria Christianity is somewhat related to latitudinarianism, the position that differences of opinion on church
Church Body
A local church is a Christian religious organization that meets in a particular location. Many are formally organized, with constitutions and by-laws, maintain offices, are served by pastors or lay leaders, and, in nations where this is permissible, often seek seek non-profit corporate status...
organization and doctrine are acceptable within a church.
General use
The term can be used ad hominemAd hominem
An ad hominem , short for argumentum ad hominem, is an attempt to negate the truth of a claim by pointing out a negative characteristic or belief of the person supporting it...
, either to disqualify a person's omission of a Christian precept, or to invalidate their advocacy of a different precept entirely.
There is some basis for selectiveness in the New Testament
New Testament
The New Testament is the second major division of the Christian biblical canon, the first such division being the much longer Old Testament....
— according to the Council of Jerusalem
Council of Jerusalem
The Council of Jerusalem is a name applied by historians and theologians to an Early Christian council that was held in Jerusalem and dated to around the year 50. It is considered by Catholics and Orthodox to be a prototype and forerunner of the later Ecumenical Councils...
in (as well as some of Paul's letters
Pauline epistles
The Pauline epistles, Epistles of Paul, or Letters of Paul, are the thirteen New Testament books which have the name Paul as the first word, hence claiming authorship by Paul the Apostle. Among these letters are some of the earliest extant Christian documents...
; see Antinomianism in the New Testament), Gentile
Gentile
The term Gentile refers to non-Israelite peoples or nations in English translations of the Bible....
Christians are not obliged to keep the entire Old Testament
Old Testament
The Old Testament, of which Christians hold different views, is a Christian term for the religious writings of ancient Israel held sacred and inspired by Christians which overlaps with the 24-book canon of the Masoretic Text of Judaism...
Law. However, the Council did retain the prohibitions against eating meat containing blood, or meat of animals not properly slain, and against "fornication" and "idolatry", which is commonly called the Apostolic Decree and is still observed by the Greek Orthodox.
Rabbinic Judaism
Rabbinic Judaism
Rabbinic Judaism or Rabbinism has been the mainstream form of Judaism since the 6th century CE, after the codification of the Talmud...
asserts that the Laws of the Jewish Bible
Halakha
Halakha — also transliterated Halocho , or Halacha — is the collective body of Jewish law, including biblical law and later talmudic and rabbinic law, as well as customs and traditions.Judaism classically draws no distinction in its laws between religious and ostensibly non-religious life; Jewish...
were presented to the Jewish people and converts to Judaism
Conversion to Judaism
Conversion to Judaism is a formal act undertaken by a non-Jewish person who wishes to be recognised as a full member of the Jewish community. A Jewish conversion is both a religious act and an expression of association with the Jewish people...
and do not apply to gentiles, including Christians, with the notable exception of the Seven Laws of Noah which apply to all people. Rabbi Emden
Jacob Emden
Jacob Emden also known as Ya'avetz, , was a leading German rabbi and talmudist who championed Orthodox Judaism in the face of the growing influence of the Sabbatean movement...
of the 18th century was of the opinion that Jesus' original objective, and especially Paul's, was only to convert Gentiles to Noahide Law while allowing Jews to follow full Mosaic Law. See also Dual covenant theology.
Historical background
Council of Jerusalem
The Council of Jerusalem is a name applied by historians and theologians to an Early Christian council that was held in Jerusalem and dated to around the year 50. It is considered by Catholics and Orthodox to be a prototype and forerunner of the later Ecumenical Councils...
of about 50 AD was the first meeting in Early Christianity
Early Christianity
Early Christianity is generally considered as Christianity before 325. The New Testament's Book of Acts and Epistle to the Galatians records that the first Christian community was centered in Jerusalem and its leaders included James, Peter and John....
called upon to consider the application of Mosaic Law
613 mitzvot
The 613 commandments is a numbering of the statements and principles of law, ethics, and spiritual practice contained in the Torah or Five Books of Moses...
to the new community. Specifically, it had to consider whether new Gentile
Gentile
The term Gentile refers to non-Israelite peoples or nations in English translations of the Bible....
convert
Convert
The convert or try, in American football known as "point after", and Canadian football "Point after touchdown", is a one-scrimmage down played immediately after a touchdown during which the scoring team is allowed to attempt to score an extra one point by kicking the ball through the uprights , or...
s to Christianity were obligated to undergo biblical circumcision
Circumcision controversy in early Christianity
There is evidence of a controversy over religious male circumcision in Early Christianity. A Council of Jerusalem, possibly held in approximately 50 AD, decreed that male circumcision was not a requirement for Gentile converts. This became known as the "Apostolic Decree" and may be one of the...
for full membership in the Christian community, though the issue has wider implications. Circumcision was considered repulsive during the period of Hellenization
Hellenization
Hellenization is a term used to describe the spread of ancient Greek culture, and, to a lesser extent, language. It is mainly used to describe the spread of Hellenistic civilization during the Hellenistic period following the campaigns of Alexander the Great of Macedon...
of the Eastern Mediterranean
Eastern Mediterranean
The Eastern Mediterranean is a term that denotes the countries geographically to the east of the Mediterranean Sea. This region is also known as Greater Syria or the Levant....
.
The decision of the Council came to be called the Apostolic Decree and was that most Mosaic law, including the requirement for circumcision of males, was not obligatory for Gentile converts, possibly in order to make it easier for them to join the movement. However, the Council did retain the prohibitions against eating meat containing blood, or meat of animals not properly slain, and against fornication
Fornication
Fornication typically refers to consensual sexual intercourse between two people not married to each other. For many people, the term carries a moral or religious association, but the significance of sexual acts to which the term is applied varies between religions, societies and cultures. The...
and idolatry
Idolatry
Idolatry is a pejorative term for the worship of an idol, a physical object such as a cult image, as a god, or practices believed to verge on worship, such as giving undue honour and regard to created forms other than God. In all the Abrahamic religions idolatry is strongly forbidden, although...
. Beginning with Augustine of Hippo
Augustine of Hippo
Augustine of Hippo , also known as Augustine, St. Augustine, St. Austin, St. Augoustinos, Blessed Augustine, or St. Augustine the Blessed, was Bishop of Hippo Regius . He was a Latin-speaking philosopher and theologian who lived in the Roman Africa Province...
, many have seen a connection to Noahide Law, while some modern scholars reject the connection to Noahide Law and instead see as the basis. See also Old Testament Law directed at non-Jews and Leviticus 18
Leviticus 18
Leviticus 18 is a chapter of the Biblical book of Leviticus. It narrates part of the instructions given to Moses by God on Mount Sinai. The chapter deals with a number of sexual activities considered 'unclean' or 'abominable'...
. The modern debate over the definition of fornication and whether or not it includes Leviticus 18 is part of the Homosexuality and Christianity
Homosexuality and Christianity
Christian denominations hold a variety of views on the issues of sexual orientation and homosexuality, ranging from outright condemnation to complete acceptance. In accordance with the traditional values of Abrahamic religions, most Christian denominations welcome people attracted to the same sex,...
debate. Whether or not Old Testament or Hebrew Bible
Hebrew Bible
The Hebrew Bible is a term used by biblical scholars outside of Judaism to refer to the Tanakh , a canonical collection of Jewish texts, and the common textual antecedent of the several canonical editions of the Christian Old Testament...
laws still apply to Christians is part of the Biblical law in Christianity
Biblical law in Christianity
Christian views of the Old Covenant have been central to Christian theology and practice since the circumcision controversy in Early Christianity. There are differing views about the applicability of the Old Covenant among Christian denominations...
debate.
Cafeteria Catholicism
The term "cafeteria Catholicism" is a pejorative term applied to Catholics who dissent from Roman Catholic moral teaching on issues such as abortionAbortion
Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to viability. An abortion can occur spontaneously, in which case it is usually called a miscarriage, or it can be purposely induced...
, birth control
Birth control
Birth control is an umbrella term for several techniques and methods used to prevent fertilization or to interrupt pregnancy at various stages. Birth control techniques and methods include contraception , contragestion and abortion...
, premarital sex
Premarital sex
Premarital sex is sexual activity, including vaginal intercourse, oral sex, and anal sex, practiced by persons who are unmarried. Although it has always been practiced, in the West it has increased in prevalence since the mid-1950s...
, masturbation
Masturbation
Masturbation refers to sexual stimulation of a person's own genitals, usually to the point of orgasm. The stimulation can be performed manually, by use of objects or tools, or by some combination of these methods. Masturbation is a common form of autoeroticism...
, and homosexuality
Homosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
.
The term is less frequently applied to those who dissent from other Catholic moral teaching on issues such as social justice
Catholic social teaching
Catholic social teaching is a body of doctrine developed by the Catholic Church on matters of poverty and wealth, economics, social organization and the role of the state...
, capital punishment
Capital punishment
Capital punishment, the death penalty, or execution is the sentence of death upon a person by the state as a punishment for an offence. Crimes that can result in a death penalty are known as capital crimes or capital offences. The term capital originates from the Latin capitalis, literally...
, or just war
Just War
Just war theory is a doctrine of military ethics of Roman philosophical and Catholic origin, studied by moral theologians, ethicists and international policy makers, which holds that a conflict ought to meet philosophical, religious or political criteria.-Origins:The concept of justification for...
; this is because these areas of Catholic teaching are much less clearly dogmatically defined by the Magisterium, and therefore open to debate. The term has been in use since the issuance of Humanae Vitae
Humanae Vitae
Humanae Vitae is an encyclical written by Pope Paul VI and issued on 25 July 1968. Subtitled On the Regulation of Birth, it re-affirms the traditional teaching of the Catholic Church regarding married love, responsible parenthood, and the continuing proscription of most forms of birth...
, an official document that propounded the Church's opposition to the use of artificial birth control
Birth control
Birth control is an umbrella term for several techniques and methods used to prevent fertilization or to interrupt pregnancy at various stages. Birth control techniques and methods include contraception , contragestion and abortion...
and advocates natural family planning
Natural family planning
Natural family planning is a term referring to the family planning methods approved by the Roman Catholic Church. In accordance with the Church's requirements for sexual behavior in keeping with its philosophy of the dignity of the human person, NFP excludes the use of other methods of birth...
.
See also
- Americanism (heresy)Americanism (heresy)Coined in the nineteenth century, in Roman Catholic use the term Americanism referred to a group of related heresies which were defined as the endorsement of the separation of church and state...
- Biblical law in ChristianityBiblical law in ChristianityChristian views of the Old Covenant have been central to Christian theology and practice since the circumcision controversy in Early Christianity. There are differing views about the applicability of the Old Covenant among Christian denominations...
- AntinomianismAntinomianismAntinomianism is defined as holding that, under the gospel dispensation of grace, moral law is of no use or obligation because faith alone is necessary to salvation....
- Legalism (theology)Legalism (theology)Legalism, in Christian theology, is a sometimes-pejorative term referring to an over-emphasis on discipline of conduct, or legal ideas, usually implying an allegation of misguided rigour, pride, superficiality, the neglect of mercy, and ignorance of the grace of God or emphasizing the letter of...
- New CovenantNew CovenantThe New Covenant is a concept originally derived from the Hebrew Bible. The term "New Covenant" is used in the Bible to refer to an epochal relationship of restoration and peace following a period of trial and judgment...
- Hermeneutics
- Humanistic JudaismHumanistic JudaismHumanistic Judaism is a movement in Judaism that offers a nontheistic alternative in contemporary Jewish life. It defines Judaism as the cultural and historical experience of the Jewish people and encourages humanistic and secular Jews to celebrate their Jewish identity by participating in Jewish...
- Red-Letter ChristianRed-Letter ChristianRed-Letter Christians constitute a movement within Christianity. They believe that Evangelicalism has been exploited by both right-wing and left-wing political movements, and they endeavor to create an Evangelical movement that focuses on the teachings of Jesus Christ, particularly in regard to...
- Cultural Mormon
- Sunday ChristianSunday ChristianA Sunday Christian or Sunday morning Christian is a derisive term used to refer to someone who typically attends Christian church services on Sundays while not strictly adhering to the doctrines or rules of the religion....
- Lapsed CatholicLapsed CatholicA lapsed Catholic is a person who has ceased practicing the Catholic faith, in the sense of attending Mass. Such a person may still identify as a Catholic.-"Lapsed Catholic" and "ex-Catholic":...
- Sabbath in Christianity
- New Wine into Old WineskinsNew Wine into Old WineskinsNew Wine into Old Wineskins is one of a pair of parables told by Jesus in the New Testament, found in Matthew , Mark , and Luke . A version of the parables also appears in the Gnostic Gospel of Thomas .-Passage:...
- Dual-covenant theologyDual-covenant theologyDual-covenant theology is a Liberal Christian view that holds that Jews may simply keep the Law of Moses, because of the "everlasting covenant" between Abraham and God expressed in the Hebrew Bible, whereas Gentiles must convert to Christianity or alternatively accept the Seven Laws of Noah...
- SupersessionismSupersessionismSupersessionism is a term for the dominant Christian view of the Old Covenant, also called fulfillment theology and replacement theology, though the latter term is disputed...
- Moralistic therapeutic deismMoralistic therapeutic deismMoralistic therapeutic deism is a term introduced in the book Soul Searching: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers by Christian Smith and Melinda Lundquist Denton. The term is used to describe what they consider to be the common religious beliefs among American youth...
External links
- Cafeteria Christianity: Pros and Cons
- Moralistic Therapeutic Deism - the New American Religion
- COG article on Cafeteria Christianity
- Pastor Russ Reese on Cafeteria Christianity
- Cafeteria Catholics
- Madison Catholic Herald: Cafeteria Christians
- St. Luke Orthodox Church: Sodomy and Cafeteria Christians
- Pope Benedict decries cafeteria Catholicism
- U.S. Catholic Magazine: Cafeteria Catholics
- Jewish Encyclopedia: New Testament: For and Against the Law
- Cafeteria Catholics don't need to get in line by Jack Rathschmidt, O.F.M. Cap.
- PBS NewsHour: Papal Visit Prompts Reflection on U.S. Catholic Identity
- Professor McGrath's blog on Cafeteria Christianity