Cafeteria Christianity: The Concept of Selective Faith
In the landscape of modern faith, the term Cafeteria Christianity has emerged as a provocative way to describe a specific approach to religious belief. Much like a diner sliding a tray along a cafeteria counter, picking only the dishes that appeal to them, a "cafeteria Christian" is perceived as someone who selects which doctrines to follow and which to ignore based on personal preference.
This approach suggests that an individual's religious identity may serve as a proxy for their own personal opinions rather than a wholesale acceptance of established church doctrine. By treating faith as a menu of options, practitioners may embrace certain moral teachings while discarding others they find objectionable or outdated.
Key Facts
- Definition: A derogatory term used to accuse individuals or denominations of selectively following Christian doctrines.
- Origin: Derived from "cafeteria Catholicism," a term coined by Fidelity Magazine in 1986.
- First Print Use: The term "Cafeteria Christianity" first appeared in The Month magazine in 1992.
- Core Criticism: It is often equated with "cherry-picking theology" or "Christianity Lite."
- Application: Frequently used to critique the mass-appeal subculture of megachurches or those who reject specific scriptural mandates.
Origins and Evolution of the Term
The linguistic root of the phrase is "cafeteria Catholicism," which was introduced by E. Michael Jones's Fidelity Magazine in 1986. This earlier term was specifically used as a pejorative for Catholics who dissented from official Roman Catholic moral teachings on issues such as birth control, abortion, masturbation, premarital sex, or homosexuality. Interestingly, it is less commonly applied to those who disagree with the church on social justice, just war, or capital punishment.
By 1992, the term expanded into the broader "Cafeteria Christianity," appearing in The Month magazine. Further adoption occurred in the early 2000s, including a 2001 interview with Richard Holloway in Third Way, where he described it as a "shopping for ideas you approve of," specifically regarding the rejection of scriptural sections that may seem immoral by modern standards, such as the justification of slavery.
Interpretations and Theological Implications
At its core, Cafeteria Christianity is viewed as a result of postmodern reading—an approach to texts where the reader's personal interpretation takes precedence over traditional analysis, leading to a "anything goes" mentality.
This selectivity can manifest in several ways:
- Doctrinal Selection: Choosing which core tenets of the faith to accept.
- Ethical Flexibility: Adopting specific stances on racism, idolatry, or homosexuality while ignoring others.
- Scriptural Filtering: Deciding which Old Testament laws remain applicable to modern Christians.
Because the term is often used ad hominem (directed against a person rather than an argument), it can be used to disqualify a person's omission of a specific precept or to invalidate their advocacy for another.
The Economic Perspective
In the work The Marketplace of Christianity, economists Robert Ekelund, Robert Hébert, and Robert Tollison frame this phenomenon as "self-generated Christianity." They argue that this version of faith is designed to match the "demand profile" of the individual, blending Christian elements with other areas of thought. Their research suggests that such religious individualists have existed throughout history.
| Term | Primary Target | Common Areas of Dissent |
|---|---|---|
| Cafeteria Catholicism | Roman Catholics | Abortion, birth control, homosexuality |
| Cafeteria Christianity | General Christians / Megachurches | Scriptural mandates, traditional doctrines |
| Cherry-picking Theology | Theological practitioners | Selective interpretation of sacred texts |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the term "Cafeteria Christianity" actually mean?
It is a derogatory term used to describe people who selectively choose which Christian doctrines and moral teachings they wish to follow, while rejecting those they find objectionable or inconvenient.
How does it differ from Cafeteria Catholicism?
Cafeteria Catholicism is the ancestor term, specifically targeting Catholics who dissent from official church teachings on moral issues. Cafeteria Christianity is a broader application of the same concept across various Christian denominations.
Why is it associated with megachurches?
It is sometimes equated with "Christianity Lite," a term used to criticize the mass-appeal nature of megachurches, suggesting they may strip away challenging doctrines to attract a wider audience.
Is this a new phenomenon in religion?
While the term is relatively modern, economists Robert Ekelund, Robert Hébert, and Robert Tollison suggest that "religious individualists" who create a faith matching their own preferences have existed in all time periods.
What is "cherry-picking theology"?
This is a related concept where an individual selectively chooses specific verses or doctrines from religious texts to support their existing beliefs while ignoring contradictory passages.