Catholic [[Democrats]] are most often associated with Cafeteria Catholics because their party ideology believes in [[abortion]] as a right and gay [[marriage]]. This is in direct opposition to what Catholics are taught. By no means is it exclusive to Democrats. Catholic [[Republicans]] that believe in the necessity of capital punishment are also considered Cafeteria Catholics. Though, the Church teaches that the guilty put to death in no way equals the innocent death of children in the womb, an intrinsic Evil. Other examples of the pick-and-choose include Catholics who deny there is a [[Hell]] or state that [[Moses]] did not part the [[Red Sea]] or that [[Mary]] was not Immaculate. By Canon law, a Catholic believing other than what the Church teaches is guilty of [[heresy]] and should not take [[Holy Communion]]. Most Cafeteria Catholics ignore this and take Communion anyway, a Mortal [[Sin]]. The Church believes that such a person is separated from the [[Holy Spirit]], even without direct [[excommunication]] from Church authorities. | Catholic [[Democrats]] are most often associated with Cafeteria Catholics because their party ideology believes in [[abortion]] as a right and gay [[marriage]]. This is in direct opposition to what Catholics are taught. By no means is it exclusive to Democrats. Catholic [[Republicans]] that believe in the necessity of capital punishment are also considered Cafeteria Catholics. Though, the Church teaches that the guilty put to death in no way equals the innocent death of children in the womb, an intrinsic Evil. Other examples of the pick-and-choose include Catholics who deny there is a [[Hell]] or state that [[Moses]] did not part the [[Red Sea]] or that [[Mary]] was not Immaculate. By Canon law, a Catholic believing other than what the Church teaches is guilty of [[heresy]] and should not take [[Holy Communion]]. Most Cafeteria Catholics ignore this and take Communion anyway, a Mortal [[Sin]]. The Church believes that such a person is separated from the [[Holy Spirit]], even without direct [[excommunication]] from Church authorities. |