New study suggests rampant ‘cafeteria Catholicism’

[Michie]

Ryan Burge, a leading researcher on religion and politics, recently compiled data indicating that “cafeteria Catholicism” is rampant in the United States. Specifically, the country’s Catholics express widespread disagreement with the Church’s teaching on abortion, euthanasia, and the death penalty.

The term “cafeteria Catholic” refers to a Catholic who picks and chooses which Church teachings he or she affirms and adheres to. Washington, D.C., Cardinal Wilton Gregory recently used the term to describe President Joe Biden, who as president has advocated for unrestricted abortion through all nine months of pregnancy.

Burge found that only 0.9% of Catholics agree with Church teaching on all three of the issues. His conclusions were based on 2022 data collected by the Global Social Survey (GSS) and compiled by the Association of Religion Data Archives (ARDA). Burge told CNA that the 0.9% number is an all-time low since GSS started collecting data in 1972.

“It’s not just many Catholics who disagree with the teachings of the Church — in fact, if you look at the data, it’s nearly all of them,” said Burge, who teaches political science at Eastern Illinois University.

Continued below.

New study suggests rampant ‘cafeteria Catholicism’

Few Catholics are in full agreement with Church teaching on abortion, euthanasia, and the death penalty.

www.catholicnewsagency.com

 

[AlexB23]

Ryan Burge, a leading researcher on religion and politics, recently compiled data indicating that “cafeteria Catholicism” is rampant in the United States. Specifically, the country’s Catholics express widespread disagreement with the Church’s teaching on abortion, euthanasia, and the death penalty.

The term “cafeteria Catholic” refers to a Catholic who picks and chooses which Church teachings he or she affirms and adheres to. Washington, D.C., Cardinal Wilton Gregory recently used the term to describe President Joe Biden, who as president has advocated for unrestricted abortion through all nine months of pregnancy.

Burge found that only 0.9% of Catholics agree with Church teaching on all three of the issues. His conclusions were based on 2022 data collected by the Global Social Survey (GSS) and compiled by the Association of Religion Data Archives (ARDA). Burge told CNA that the 0.9% number is an all-time low since GSS started collecting data in 1972.

“It’s not just many Catholics who disagree with the teachings of the Church — in fact, if you look at the data, it’s nearly all of them,” said Burge, who teaches political science at Eastern Illinois University.

Continued below.

New study suggests rampant ‘cafeteria Catholicism’

Few Catholics are in full agreement with Church teaching on abortion, euthanasia, and the death penalty.

www.catholicnewsagency.com

I will make a post about this, in the general Christian Scriptures forum.

 

[RileyG]

That’s so sad.

 

[AlexB23]

That’s so sad.

Agreed 100%. Here is my analysis of this.

Date	May 12, 2024 | Cafeteria Christianity
Verse	2 Timothy 4:3 (ESV): "For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions"
Explanation	2 Timothy 4:3 is a warning from the Apostle Paul to Timothy about the end days and the attitude of people towards sound teaching. The passage suggests that as the end times approach, people will become increasingly unwilling to hear and accept the truth, instead gravitating towards teachings that cater to their own desires and passions. This verse relates to the concept of Cafeteria Christianity, where people pick and choose which teachings they want to follow based on their personal preferences or desires, rather than submitting themselves to the whole truth of the gospel. The passage suggests that this tendency will become more prevalent as the end times approach. Using the analogy of a buffet, we can understand this concept further. Onions represent the truth, which can be stinging or uncomfortable at times. Firm steak represents the reading and understanding of the gospel, which can be challenging and requires effort. Nutrient-rich vegetables such as spinach represent the growth in faith that comes from embracing the truth and applying it to our lives. On the other hand, avoiding fish represents disregard for Jesus, who is the source of our salvation and the foundation of our faith. Consuming excessive amounts of sweet junk food or desserts such as cake represent the ungodly teachings that cater to humanity's selfish desires, rather than leading us towards a deeper relationship with God.
Societal Relevance	Cafeteria Christianity can be particularly dangerous during the modern times because of the abundance of information and teaching available through various media channels. With so many voices clamoring for attention, it can be easy to get lost in the noise and end up consuming teachings that do not align with the whole truth of the gospel. Revelation 2 and 3 also warn about the dangers of false teaching and the importance of remaining faithful to the teachings of Jesus. In Revelation 2:14-15, Jesus rebukes the church in Pergamum for holding on to the teaching of Balaam, which encouraged the people to indulge in sexual immorality. In Revelation 3:15-16, Jesus warns the church in Laodicea for being lukewarm in their faith and for not realizing that they are poor, blind, and naked. Therefore, it is important for us to be discerning in what we consume and to prioritize the truth of the gospel above our personal desires and preferences. We must be willing to embrace the challenging aspects of the faith and to grow in our relationship with God through the nutrient-rich teachings of the Bible. Ultimately, our goal should be to remain faithful to Jesus and to follow His teachings, rather than being swayed by the allure of false narratives or the desire for comfort and convenience. Here are 7 of the most common false teachings that we must avoid as Christians: The prosperity gospel: The belief that God will bless us with wealth and health if we have faith, disregarding the suffering and struggles that believers may face in this life. This teaching is not supported by the Bible, which teaches that believers may experience trials and hardships (James 1:2-4, 1 Peter 4:12-13). Salvation by works only: The belief that good works or religious rituals only can earn us salvation. The Bible teaches that salvation is a gift from God through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9, Galatians 2:16). Denial of the Trinity: The belief that there is only one person in the Godhead, rather than the three distinct persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – who make up the one God. The Bible clearly teaches the doctrine of the Trinity (Matthew 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:14). Rejection of the deity of Christ: The belief that Jesus was not God in human form, but rather a prophet or a good teacher. The Bible affirms the deity of Christ (Daniel 7:13-14, John 1:1, John 3:16-18, Colossians 2:9, Hebrews 1:8). Denial of the resurrection: The belief that there is no bodily resurrection of the dead or that Jesus did not rise from the dead. The Bible teaches that believers will be raised to eternal life and that Jesus rose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:12-23, Acts 1:3, Luke 24). Doctrine of total individualism: The belief that emphasizes personal self-reliance, total self-sufficiency, and self-indulgence, disregarding the importance of community and the greater good. This teaching is not in line with the teachings of the Bible, which emphasizes the importance of loving our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:30-31, Galatians 5:13-14). Anti-environmentalism: The belief that prioritizes human needs and desires above the care and preservation of the natural world. This teaching is not supported by the Bible, which teaches that humans are stewards of God's creation and are called to care for it (Genesis 2:15, Colossians 1:16-17, Isaiah 24:4-6, Jeremiah 2:7). These false teachings can be harmful to our spiritual growth and can lead us away from the truth of the gospel. It is essential that we stay grounded in the teachings of the Bible and remain discerning in what we believe and teach.

 

[Lady Bug]

I've seen people say "I don't agree with everything my denomination teaches either." But is it true that some people actually do agree with everything their denomination teaches? Or do they say "I have a hard time accepting it, but I'll leave it to God"?

 

[RileyG]

I've seen people say "I don't agree with everything my denomination teaches either." But is it true that some people actually do agree with everything their denomination teaches? Or do they say "I have a hard time accepting it, but I'll leave it to God"?

I think it works both ways.

 

[Lady Bug]

I think it works both ways.

Sorry, what do you mean?

 

[RileyG]

Sorry, what do you mean?

Like they have questions, but accept what the Church teaches.

 

[chevyontheriver]

Ryan Burge, a leading researcher on religion and politics, recently compiled data indicating that “cafeteria Catholicism” is rampant in the United States. Specifically, the country’s Catholics express widespread disagreement with the Church’s teaching on abortion, euthanasia, and the death penalty.

The term “cafeteria Catholic” refers to a Catholic who picks and chooses which Church teachings he or she affirms and adheres to. Washington, D.C., Cardinal Wilton Gregory recently used the term to describe President Joe Biden, who as president has advocated for unrestricted abortion through all nine months of pregnancy.

Burge found that only 0.9% of Catholics agree with Church teaching on all three of the issues. His conclusions were based on 2022 data collected by the Global Social Survey (GSS) and compiled by the Association of Religion Data Archives (ARDA). Burge told CNA that the 0.9% number is an all-time low since GSS started collecting data in 1972.

“It’s not just many Catholics who disagree with the teachings of the Church — in fact, if you look at the data, it’s nearly all of them,” said Burge, who teaches political science at Eastern Illinois University.

Continued below.

New study suggests rampant ‘cafeteria Catholicism’

Few Catholics are in full agreement with Church teaching on abortion, euthanasia, and the death penalty.

www.catholicnewsagency.com

Someone should do a study about 'cafeteria catholicism' among cardinals and bishops. But then that would merely tell us what Our Lady said in Akita. That we have bishops against bishops, cardinals against cardinals.