Fast Food Christianity

Fast Food Christianity, also known as consumer Christianity, is a form of "consumer-oriented" Christianity that treats churchgoers as customers and is oriented toward pleasing them rather than toward remaining true to the Gospel.^[1][2]

Since "the customer is always right," such a church waters down its message so as not to scare off its attendees (or, more often than not, their tithes and offerings). If sin is ever discussed, it is generally discussed in a generic sense, but so watered down as to not really upset any specific person or group within the church, or with regard only to someone else's sins.

A fast-food Christian church may also ignore any parts of Biblical morality that are inconvenient to advancement in political circles (both liberal and conservative), ignoring the words of Christ in Matthew 16:26, "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"

Megachurches, especially those having bought into such concepts as "seeker-sensitive", "positive thinking", and such, tend to fall into this category.

There are many similarities between this and cafeteria Christianity, but there are also differences. For example, in cafeteria Christianity, certain Bible verses are not just ignored; they are also explained away (especially in liberal Christianity) as "not really being what" the author or speaker said or wrote, as being limited in applicability to a cultural context, or as being later additions that are not canonical (i.e., direct attacks on Biblical inerrancy by a denomination or person who doesn't believe in it). On the other hand, in fast-food Christianity, the church may (at least officially) hold to Biblical inerrancy, but may "de-emphasize" a specific concept (e.g., sin) so as not to offend.

Also, fast-food Christianity is generally an issue involving churches or denominations, while cafeteria Christianity tends to involve individuals (though the concept can apply to churches or denominations as well).

References[edit]

1. ↑ Fast Food Christianity, from Heal the Land Daily Devotional Archives
2. ↑ Fast Food Christianity, from Carolina Christian Conservative