CAFETERIA CHRISTIANITY

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.