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This practice is particularly common among [[Liberal Christianity|liberal]] denominations, which cite only those passages which show Christ's forgiveness and mercy, but not His justice, in order to deny the existence of [[Hell]] and the necessity of [[faith]] for redemption. Matt. 7:1, "Judge not, that ye be not judged" is quoted out of context particularly often for this purpose.  Likewise, they selectively ignore passages which refute [[evolution]], condemn [[abortion]], make statements about the role of [[women]] that refute modern [[feminism|feminist]] dogmas, and conflict with other liberal views. Liberal Christians are also fond of citing Scripture selectively in order to rebuke [[Hypocrisy|only someone else's sins]] or to [[special pleading|explain away]] the sins of liberal political allies.

This practice is particularly common among [[Liberal Christianity|liberal]] denominations, which cite only those passages which show Christ's forgiveness and mercy, but not His justice, in order to deny the existence of [[Hell]] and the necessity of [[faith]] for redemption. Matt. 7:1, "Judge not, that ye be not judged" is quoted out of context particularly often for this purpose.  Likewise, they selectively ignore passages which refute [[evolution]], condemn [[abortion]], make statements about the role of [[women]] that refute modern [[feminism|feminist]] dogmas, and conflict with other liberal views. Liberal Christians are also fond of citing Scripture selectively in order to rebuke [[Hypocrisy|only someone else's sins]] or to [[special pleading|explain away]] the sins of liberal political allies.

However, cafeteria Christianity is not limited to the left side of the political spectrum. There are examples of people who profess to be conservative Christians, and who are later found to have ignored Biblical scripture in their own lives, such as those who automatically condemn other Christians to hell, have committed adultery, or who have participated in a homosexual lifestyle.  [[Westboro Baptist Church]] is an example of "right-wing" cafeteria Christianity; their followers quote verses about God's judgment but ignore those about mercy.

However, cafeteria Christianity is not limited to the left side of the political spectrum: conservative Christians are also fond of citing Scripture selectively in order to expose hypocrisy while explaining away the same issues in their own camp (such as criticizing the Catholic Church for covering up child molestation among its priests -- arguing that the problem is due to the Church's prohibition against priests marrying -- while ignoring similar cases involving married pastors or leaders within major Protestant churches or denominations).  A notable example of "right-wing" cafeteria Christianity is the [[Westboro Baptist Church]]; their followers quote verses about God's judgment but ignore those about mercy.

Espousing cafeteria Christianity invalidates a person's Christian witness. If a self-proclaimed Christian does not take the entire Bible seriously, unbelievers will assume that they need not do so, either. Also, cafeteria Christians have proved to be such an embarrassment to Christianity that committed Christians are now searching for new terminology to distinguish themselves from cafeteria Christians. A cafeteria Christian can even endanger the faith of others by spreading false doctrine as though it were genuine Christianity.<ref>[http://roblattin.hubpages.com/hub/How-To-Spot-A-Cafeteria-Christian How to Spot a Cafeteria Christian]</ref>

Espousing cafeteria Christianity invalidates a person's Christian witness. If a self-proclaimed Christian does not take the entire Bible seriously, unbelievers will assume that they need not do so, either. Also, cafeteria Christians have proved to be such an embarrassment to Christianity that committed Christians are now searching for new terminology to distinguish themselves from cafeteria Christians. A cafeteria Christian can even endanger the faith of others by spreading false doctrine as though it were genuine Christianity.<ref>[http://roblattin.hubpages.com/hub/How-To-Spot-A-Cafeteria-Christian How to Spot a Cafeteria Christian]</ref>