What is a "Cafeteria Catholic"?

[Globalnomad]

I think it will help the other thread if we agree on a definition. It is not enough to say "someone who picks and chooses what they want to believe in Catholicism": that is the superficial (and pejorative)definition that is causing all the trouble on the other thread. We need to go deeper.

- Which doctrines does he reject? We all know that someone who rejects the Resurrection, or Transubstantiation, or life after death, is far more than a cafeteria Catholic.

- Why does he reject them? Personal convenience is too simplistic an explanation, and I think you all realise it.

- And why does he choose to remain a Catholic nevertheless? That is the question least often asked, yet I think it is important.

 

[boughtwithaprice]

Your question is problematic in that a Cafeteria Catholic cannot easily be defined. There are those that use the term to label others, and there are those that have been labeled by it. I don't know anyone that would willingly self identify as a Cafeteria Catholic on a consistent basis, so you would get myriad definitions

The question should rather be, why is the term used at all, as we are all Catholics?

 

[Rebekka]

subscribing.

 

[ConanTheLibrarian]

It should give someone pause to reflect that the very definition of "heretic" is someone who picks and chooses.

 

[geocajun]

It should give someone pause to reflect that the very definition of "heretic" is someone who picks and chooses.

Oh really? would you mind citing some official document which uses that definition? I think you are just making it up.

 

[ConanTheLibrarian]

Heretic:

from Greek hairetikos, able to choose, factious, from hairetos, chosen, from haireisthai, to choose; see heresy.]

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/

 

[geocajun]

Heretic:

from Greek hairetikos, able to choose, factious, from hairetos, chosen, from haireisthai, to choose; see heresy.]

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/

Got it, so "picks and chooses" isn't the definition.

Thanks for clearing that up.

 

[Filia Mariae]

Oh good, another trainwreck ahead.

 

[Angeldove97]

I think it's time the Catechism updates us on this term

 

[stivvy]

It is a term used to define those who don't recognize that they are bound to ALL the rules of the church for a fullness of salvation. For example, a catholic who chooses to disregard that abortion is intrinsically evil. Or one who may say well the church says "I can be called catholic and in union, but I don't think I need to go to church on Sundays or the Holy Days of obligation because I am just not interested or have better things to do..."

We are all guilty of these things to some degree here and there or to some level in our daily walk, but this term is exspecially relevent to those who live their life as a whole by choosing to never follow the "big" and "basic" church laws.

Yes, they "pick and choose" their beliefs and practices to fit their convienence in their lives.

 

[Cosmic Charlie]

You know what ?

Screw this.

I want a definition of what constitutes a devout Catholic.

Is it a Catholic that accepts ALL doctrines blindly and without understanding ?

This kind of Catholic is a Caholic by accident only and might as well (and could be) a member of any cult that struck his fancy.

Is it a Catholic that accepts all doctrines even those he has personal doubts about ?

Then want has become of this conscience ? Is it still well formed ?

How will his conscience convict him before God ?

No, this kind of Catholic is probably just luke warm.

If you clowns are coming after me and my ilk and want to define the term you use to define me, be advise.

I'm a bare knuckle debater who believes the best defense in is a pre-emptive nuclear strike.

(bare knuckle debater a copywrite of davidnc all rights reserved)

 

[vle045]

A cafeteria Catholic is someone who is Catholic when they are in the cafeteria.

 

[vle045]

A Devout Cat-holic is someone who loves their cats a little too much......

 

[Rebekka]

A Devout Cat-holic is someone who loves their cats a little too much......

That would be me then.

 

[AMDG]

It is a term used to define those who don't recognize that they are bound to ALL the rules of the church for a fullness of salvation. For example, a catholic who chooses to disregard that abortion is intrinsically evil. Or one who may say well the church says "I can be called catholic and in union, but I don't think I need to go to church on Sundays or the Holy Days of obligation because I am just not interested or have better things to do..."

We are all guilty of these things to some degree here and there or to some level in our daily walk, but this term is especially relevent to those who live their life as a whole by choosing to never follow the "big" and "basic" church laws.

Yes, they "pick and choose" their beliefs and practices to fit their convienence in their lives.

Agree.

And since those who "pick and choose" what the Church says are what all Catholics are to believe, know what they are doing, does the "why" really matter?

 

[Globalnomad]

No one has answered the question so far....

 

[Miss Shelby]

Personally I don't like the term cafeteria Catholic. I like the world Heretic much better. I mean why beat around the ole bush?

 

[vle045]

Man, I am such a heretic... or maybe I am just a Protestant in Catholic clothing..... hmmmmmmmmmmmm........ not sure.

 

[Miss Shelby]

how bout the term 'victim'? Does that term mean anything. 'oh hewp me hewp me, ebreybody tinks im a baaaaaad puwsun cuz I'm a cafe catlick.'

 

[vle045]

how bout the term 'victim'? Does that term mean anything. 'oh hewp me hewp me, ebreybody tinks im a baaaaaad puwsun cuz I'm a cafe catlick.'

I do NOT lick cats in cafes...................