Difference between revisions of "Cafeteria Catholic"
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| − | A '''Cafeteria Catholic,''' or '''Catholic in name only,''' is someone who | + | A '''Cafeteria Catholic,''' or '''Catholic in name only,''' is someone who is a member of the [[Roman Catholic church]] and yet picks and chooses which of the Church's doctrines he will believe. A Catholic is supposed to believe in the entire teachings of their faith, all the bible liturgy, and all church mandates. In particular, those terms are often used to refer to a self-identified Catholic who rejects the [[bishop]]s' teachings on [[abortion]]. |
| − | 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 | + | Catholic [[Democrats]] are most often associated with Cafeteria Catholics because their party ideology believes in [[abortion]] as a right and also in gay [[marriage]]. This is in direct opposition to what Catholics are taught. By no means is the practice exclusive to Democrats. Catholic [[Republicans]] who believe in the necessity of capital punishment are also considered Cafeteria Catholics. However, the Church teaches that the guilty put to death in no way equals the innocent death of children in the womb, an intrinsic Evil. |
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| + | Other examples of the pick-and-choose approach 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, which is a Mortal [[Sin]]. The Church believes that such a person is separated from the [[Holy Spirit]], even without direct [[excommunication]] from Church authorities. | ||
==Examples== | ==Examples== | ||
Revision as of 16:54, December 18, 2010
A Cafeteria Catholic, or Catholic in name only, is someone who is a member of the Roman Catholic church and yet picks and chooses which of the Church's doctrines he will believe. A Catholic is supposed to believe in the entire teachings of their faith, all the bible liturgy, and all church mandates. In particular, those terms are often used to refer to a self-identified Catholic who rejects the bishops' teachings on abortion.
Catholic Democrats are most often associated with Cafeteria Catholics because their party ideology believes in abortion as a right and also in gay marriage. This is in direct opposition to what Catholics are taught. By no means is the practice exclusive to Democrats. Catholic Republicans who believe in the necessity of capital punishment are also considered Cafeteria Catholics. However, 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 approach 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, which is a Mortal Sin. The Church believes that such a person is separated from the Holy Spirit, even without direct excommunication from Church authorities.
Examples
- Joe Biden
- Stephen Colbert
- Rudy Giuliani
- Ted Kennedy
- George Pataki
- Nancy Pelosi
- Arnold Schwarzenegger
References
