Product Description

There are more than one billion Catholics in the world, and each one has a similar set of basic beliefs and practices that he or she follows. Some of the teachings of Catholicism are thousands of years old, while others are more recent. So what is the Catholic culture like and what do they believe? Catholicism For Dummies answers these and many other questions.

Whether you’re a Catholic or not, you may be totally clueless or just unaware of some aspects of Catholic traditions, history, doctrine, worship, devotion, or culture. No sweat. Regardless of whether you’re engaged, married, related to a Catholic, or just curious about what Catholics really do believe, this book is for you.

Catholicism For Dummies is not a catechism or religious textbook, but a casual, down–to–earth introduction for non–Catholics and reintroduction for Catholics. It gives commonsense explanations so that the next time you’re invited to a Catholic wedding, Baptism, funeral, Confirmation, or First Communion, you won’t be totally confused. You’ll also discover other important topics that can help you better understand the Catholic culture—from morality and devotions to worship and liturgy. This book will familiarize you with Catholicism by showing you:

• What it means to be a Catholic: traditions, prayers, beliefs, and holidays
• Who is who in the Catholic hierarchy
• How Catholics worship
• What the Seven Sacraments and Ten Commandments are
• The book regarded as the holiest to Catholics: The Bible
• The Church’s stand on some sticky issues

Catholicism For Dummies presents a rich tapestry and history of the Catholic faith—from devotions to doctrines. This intelligent and faithful look at Catholicism will open your eyes to this religion and answer many of the questions you may have about it.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #13510 in Books
• Published on: 2003-05-29
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 384 pages

Review
“…relied on Catholicism For Dummies when correcting articles on Dogma.”(The Independent, 6th March 2007)

Review
“…relied on Catholicism For Dummies when correcting articles on Dogma.”(The Independent, 6th March 2007)

From the Back Cover
"A gold mine of insight on the Catholic faith for people of all ages and beliefs."
—Prof. Charles E. Rice, Notre Dame School of Law and Visiting Prof., Ave Maria School of Law

Explains the deadly sins and cardinal virtues

Get the scoop on the Catholic Church’s stand on important social issues

Want to know more about Catholicism? Catholicism For Dummies presents the rich tapestry and history of the Catholic Church – from devotions to doctrines. You’ll find a description of the Catholic Mass, the seven sacraments, the liturgical calendar, the duties of the clergy, and much more.

Praise for Catholicism For Dummies

"Catholicism For Dummies is an intelligent and faithful look at one of the more misunderstood topics in contemporary religion."
– Michael S. Rose, author of Goodbye, Good Men, Priest, and Ugly as Sin

Customer Reviews

does what it says
This book filled in a lot of the gaps in Catholicism for me. IT is what it says: a guide for dummies. I had read Path to Rome by Dwight Longenecker, a book by Ronald Rolheiser, a biography of Pope John Paul and Greg Watts' Catholic Lives, all excellent books. Catholicism for Dummies gave me a framework of Church history and an explanation of Church teaching. It was easy to read. I'd thoroughly recommend it.

A very informative book
As a recent convert to Christianity in general and to the Catholic church in particular, I was a little bewildered by some of the ritual and doctrines of the Catholic church. I found this book tremendously helpful in explaining the organisation, the teachings, and the rituals of the church. Some things that at first seemed quaint and even antiquated suddenly made a lot more sense when i learned of the history and tradition that surrounds the Catholic faith, and i felt myself coming to a greater understanding of the church and how through it, i can bring myself closer to Christ. It has answered many questions and put others into my mind which I have been able to discuss with my Priest and with others in the church. I would recommend this book to anyone in my position. It is written in an accessable way, you can read it from cover to cover or just dip into sections that are of most interest.
I also leant the book to my father-in-law who has been a Catholic for some years. He found it very interesting too, and I ended up having to buy him a copy in order to get mine back!
For those who want to enter the Catholic church, and for those who simply want to learn more about it, this book is for you.

Everything you need to know
Sums up everything you need to know without being patronising in anyway. If you wonder what a Rosary is, it is explained. If you want to know exactly how to pray with one, it is explained. Historical details are given, as are details of shrines, pilgrimages, etc.

A typically useful book from this superb series.