Cafeteria Christianity

Cafeteria Christianity refers to the practice of deciding for oneself which parts of the Bible to accept, as one might select certain foods in a cafeteria while rejecting others. This implies that the person is a Christian in name only and, while believing in a deity, does not adhere to scripture. Other terms include "salad-bar Christianity" and "cherry-picking Christianity." Cafeteria Christianity is an example of self-generated Christianity, i.e., "Christianity" developed to meet one's own demand profile. It is a form of confirmation bias.

This practice is particularly common 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. When read in context, this verse is part of a condemnation of hypocrisy, not judgment in general. Likewise, some selectively ignore passages which refute evolution, condemn abortion, make statements about the role of women that refute modern feminist dogmas, condemn homosexuality, adultery, and remarriage after an un-Biblical divorce, and conflict with other liberal views. Liberal Christians are also fond of citing Scripture selectively in order to rebuke only someone else's sins or to explain away the sins of liberal political allies.

However, cafeteria Christianity is not limited to the left side of the political spectrum; some 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.

If a self-proclaimed Christian does not take the entire Bible seriously, unbelievers may 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.

Bible teaching against cafeteria Christianity

Jesus said:

It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Matthew 4:4 (KJV)

Note: "every word," not "some words." The counterargument of many cafeteria Christians is to assert, typically without evidence, that the word of the authors of certain parts of the Bible is not necessarily the word of God. However, absent evidence that a certain passage of the Bible is not God's Word (e.g., Paul's explicit statement that he is expressing a personal view), that counterargument is circular, as it assumes the propriety of cherry-picking the Bible in order to justify cherry-picking the Bible.

Paul says,

Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

Few would argue, for example, with the statement: 'However, the bible cannot be interpreted literally, if this was the case then rebellious children would be killed: Deuteronomy 21:18-21. Also, Women may not speak in church: Cor 14:33-36. The bible is not a collection of dogmatic and strict rules, it is a book of God that promotes compassion, faith in God, truth, and love.'

See also

• Cafeteria Catholic
• Christian In Name Only
• Fast Food Christianity
• Fluffy bunny
• Liberal Christianity
• Situational ethics
• Casuistry
• Sophistry
• Specious reasoning
• Hypocrites
• Confirmation bias
• Schism
• Heresy
• Apostasy