Complete Idiot's Guide to Understanding Catholicism

by Bob O'Gorman, Mary Faulkner

The Complete Idiot's Guide To Catholicism explores the world's largest religious denomination and introduced you to the Catholic practice. It offers you a new approach to learning Catholicism, covering the rituals and symbols of the religion, such as Mass, the Seven Sacraments, and the holy days and their meaning. The authors tell you how Catholicism has spread throughout the world, its roots, and how it has grown and changed over the course of this century. It's a valuable tool for anyone interested in examining--or reexamining--this large and complex religion.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, Reference, Theology, Catholic, Christianity, Spirituality

352 pages, Paperback

First published March 10, 2000

Reviews

[Daniel]

Okay, first, I'm not Catholic. This book, however, was really enjoyable. I learned some stuff, and even the stuff they gloss-over is not to onerous. Do I feel there are things not being answered? Yes. They don't talk about the Old Catholic Church, Who split off during Vatican 1, They sort of gloss over the Mary issue (perpetual virginity, and Jesus not having siblings)---they do point out they don't know if he did or not, playing it safe---They do acknowledge the schisms (both with Orthodox and Protestant). While at the same time barely mentioning inquisition other than to say it was the secular governments fault. Same with the Crusades. Still overall this is a book I think people should read, whether they're Catholic or not.

[Gary Butler]

4th book read in 2015.

Number 264 out of 432 on my all time book list.

Follow the link below to see my video review:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHyTp...

[Giovanna]

This book, while well organized and covering a LOT of ground, does not seem to be fully in line with the actual teachings of the Catholic church. For example, Catholics believe that Mary was an actual virgin (never had sex), and this book asserts that the word "virgin" meant something else entirely in the past so we shouldn't get too hung up on the modern-day meaning. Maybe more recent editions have fixed this. But either way, the liberal pandering was just all over the place. Any teachings that are difficult are softened as much as possible. I have a hard time recommending this book to anyone, other than to help them become more familiar with the practical stuff like the parts of a mass, the liturgical calendar, etc. When it comes to the actual moral teachings of the church, stick to the catechism.

[Riley Pearson]

Although outdated with some minor errors and omissions, I found it a delightful read, nonetheless.

[Chelsey]

Liberal leaning

[Jody]

I learned some things I didn't know by reading this book, and the format is enjoyable. However, I felt it had more of what Catholics do and less of why they do it which was more what I was looking for. If you're looking for more in depth biblical explanations, I'd recommend www.catholic.com which I found by doing a web search for a particular topic I was interested in.

[Mariel]

Full disclosure: I'm Catholic. Full confession: I didn't grow up going to mass regularly and still have a lot to learn. That being said, I liked this book. Helpful overview without making you feel like...well...an idiot.

[Bridget Jones]

Again, didn't help much.

[Andrew]

it was very good, but it did not awnser all of my questions. however it did help me understand more about the catholic church.