We live in a time when faith in "organized religion" is declining and where many are looking for the place where they can find their spiritual niche, that place where our beliefs and faith intertwine. If we are honest with ourselves and take an honest look at our faith, we find it is a difficult process to find a place where faith and doctrine collide. The Reverend Doctor Billy Graham once said if you find the perfect church, don't join it because if you do, you'll spoil it. His point is very valid. We all want to find the perfect church, but it doesn't exist. We then turn to "Cafeteria Christianity", picking and choosing our beliefs much like lunch time at Piccadilly. A little Methodist here, a little Presbyterian there, and let's throw a little Catholicism in, too, just for good measure.
It is difficult to find a set of doctrines with which we can completely agree. No church (denomination, that is), however much they might like to claim it, has cornered the market on Theology. We argue whether or not Jesus is truly present in the Body and Blood, whether the Bible should be taken literally, whether we should do things this way or that way, and thus we have a vast variety of offerings in this expansive cafeteria line.
Here's my confession: I am a cafeteria Christian. I've been Southern Baptist, United Methodist and Roman Catholic. I'd be lying if I said I believe everything that any of those three faith traditions teaches. Having been a Southern Baptist gives me a knowledge of scripture that many Catholics just don't have. Having been a United Methodist, I gained a great appreciation for the liturgy. Practicing Catholicism, albeit Cafeteria Catholicism, is the best marriage of my convictions. Certainly I don't agree with the church's views on hot-button topics such as gay marriage or birth control, but I feel more complete spiritually as a Catholic than anything I've ever been. Striking a balance and developing our own convictions is important in having a well-balanced spiritual life. Often, it takes stepping out of the structure of our old faith practices and into the cafeteria to realize our spiritual potential. Your families religious convictions may not be yours. It is not an easy task, but the journey is certainly worth the trip! So, step up to the cafeteria, the menu is ready for the choosing.
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3 comments:
ezvoiocI agree. In my life I can't seem to find a congregation that upholds the docterine of their own church. I belong to the United Methodist church. I left the Southern Baptist church after realizing that I did not believe in predestination or some of the more calvinistic docterines. I really felt drawn to John Wesley's theology on previenent grace, and to his example of addressing proactive social issues both with in the congregation and through out the world. But the congregation that I attend sees themselves as more of a Southern Baptist Church that sprinkles. It could be the demographic make up of the congregation, but it's the young people too. I believe we are called to love and serve God and each other. Not to be served. It's kinda like drive through Christianity.
Interesting-I grew up United Methodist, but, in truth, have never totally known what the definition of that was. I kind of like it that way-it leaves me free to look beyond any boundaries that a "Faith" could put on me. I'm more of a spiritual person than religious. I've been looking for years. I don't have The Answers, I only have a few answers that work for me and my life right now. I've never really tried any other denomination, although I mix in a healthy dose of New Age stuff with my Sunday mornings...I have my crystals packed somewhere. I went to weekly channeling sessions in New York, when I lived there. It's all a search. The more pairs of pant one tries on, the more likely one will find a fab fit...I like to think of it as a numbers game, although there are those who would say I'm going to hell...the numbers are in my favor there, too...no more or less likely than my accusers, I think...I just keep the search going...
I've never been much for cafeteria-style anything. Even when I eat at a cafeteria, I usually just take one of everything. When I order at Burger King, I just take whatever they put on the sandwich. If I had been a follower of James Jones, I would have been drinkin' me some Kool-Aid. For some people, regardless of their particular religious background, faith is an "all-or-none" proposition. I'm agnostic because ,in my well-reasoned yet warped mind, not committing to a "whole faith" is like committing to no faith at all.
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