Rating: 
Summary: Reversion
Review: I was raised Catholic, and like so many of my generation, I grew up with a very weak foundation in the faith. Although I was raised Catholic and attended CCD throughout my formative years, in time I left the Church and began attending fundamentalist churches. This book was instrumental to my coming back to the Church after fourteen years away, as it was the first time that I actually read anything indepth on what we as Catholics believe and why. I did not buy the book, but rather it was loaned to me by my Mother, but God used this book to bring me back home. I highly recommend it! Although at the time I first read it, some of it was difficult to read, and some of it I did not agree with at all, it planted the seeds of desire to understand the Catholic faith which lead to the desire to return to the Catholic Church. My wife, who was Baptist, also read it and in time became a Catholic. We are both very active in our parish, and it is good to be home! Is it biased; it is a presentation of Catholic beliefs which does not seek to comprimise those beliefs. I don't know that I would call that biased. As to addressing the issues that are often brought up in arguements against the faith, I don't believe that the intent of the book is to answer protestant charges against the faith, but rather simply to present the faith, and in the latter intent, it more than succeeds. There are other books which intend to address the charges against the faith made by protestants and others, and which do a great job, but again, I do not believe that is the intent of this book. It is the Holy Spirit which touches hearts, and indeed this book can be used by the Spirit to touch hearts. I highly recommend this book to Catholics who desire to have a deeper understanding of their faith, and to Catholics who have left the Church, for they might see that the reasons they left were based on misunderstanding, and there are some truly great reasons to come back.
Rating: 
Summary: Uncritical in Approach, but Still Solid
Review: This helpful book is authored by Kevin Orlin Johnson, a PhD in art history. He has a firm grasp on church history and on topics like art and culture and he does a good job explaining many of the Roman Catholic customs and practices that often confuse those who aren't Catholic (not to mention many Catholics themselves!). He does use a rather uncritical approach, however, so his book will be especially beneficial to those who prefer a more conservative view of the issues he covers (such as sacraments, funerals, popes, ordained ministry, monasticism, vestments, holy objects, etc.). For those who lean toward a more progressive stance on many of these issues, this book will probably not be suitable. For them, I recommend an approach such as that of Greg Dues in CATHOLIC CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS: A POPULAR GUIDE (also available on Amazon). Catholicism is a religion that is much more pluriform and rich than many are willing to admit. Indeed, the various approaches of different authors are probably a sign of the church's continuing relevance today. This review may not be received positively by some persons, but as a professional religious educator and a life-long Roman Catholic, I think we honor Christ and the church when we admit our differences without marginalizing or excluding one another. On that score, I welcome emails and discussion!
Rating:
Summary: Solidified My Decision to Join the Church
Review: During the late 90's, I was investigating a number of Christian faiths. For many years I was bouncing around from Protestant church to Protestant church with no real clue as to what I was looking for. Becoming Catholic never entered my mind. Eventually I ran into a Catholic friend who explained a few of the basics of the Church to me. Intrigued, I began to study on my own and found "Why Do Catholics Do That?" The title seemed straightforward enough, so I picked up the book and read it from cover to cover. It was amazing. Kevin Orlin Johnson's book answered all of my major questions about the Church and most of my minor questions. I had read a number of other books up to that point and none of them gave me answers as honestly or inoffensively as this one. It didn't try to hammer anything down my throat. Instead, it gave me answers in plain English and with no intent to brush me off as "just another Protestant." After reading the book, I decided to enter the RCIA process, where I entered the Church at Easter in 2000. I can honestly say that this book was the decision maker for me. It is written in a way that isn't too "bookish" or intellectual for the casual reader, yet has a good amount of information in it. The writing style used, which has a lot of humor in it, lessened the blows of what some consider "cocky Catholicism." Another reviewer felt that in her original review this book came across as too cocky. I understand what she is talking about. I've met quite a few people with that cocky attitude. That attitude was one of the major things that turned me off from the Church originally. This book to me, however, wasn't too cocky. I enjoyed it. It gave the reader information in a straight manner. I also found nothing anti-Semitic about this book, as another reviewer mentions. With this book, I learned that a number of the things that I was taught as a child about the Catholic Church was mere propaganda or, in most cases, misinformation. A lot of what I thought I knew about the Church was actually a misunderstanding of practices and beliefs. I believe this book, with its simplicity, could easily challenge some of the harder hitting Protestant theories about the Catholic faith. Although it doesn't really go into any major theological arguments, it openly explains why Catholics do the things they do. It's hard to argue with someone when they are straightforward and honest with their beliefs. Perhaps that's what we need a little more of in the world today.
Rating:
Summary: A challenging read.
Review: After growing up with a Catholic extended family and many, many Catholic friends, I bought this book to help me relate to them. On one hand, I found this to be extremely informative for Catholics, since many of the issues I brought up to my friends while reading it were new to them. It allowed me to see into the true Catholic believer's mindset, and for that, it is valuable. The writer is quite amusing in his word choice and titling of chapters, which can be a little disarming for what else he has to say. This presents the other hand--as a Protestant considering possible conversion, I was completely put off by many of his asides regarding non-Catholic Christian faith. However, I grew to understand that, when it all boils down, he is simply echoing the Church's belief that there is only one true church. Not exactly warm and fuzzy, but a true representation, nonetheless. This book won't answer all your questions about the Catholic church, especially if you are easily offended; however, it does introduce many general ideas that non-Catholics and Catholics alike may wonder about, like the significance of mass, the rosary, the saints, the pope, and relics.
Rating:
Summary: A Good Second Book!
Review: As a cradle Catholic, I took for granted the gift my parents had given me. My faith was constantly challenged by my protestant friends, so I began researching Catholic apologetics. "Why do Catholics do that?" was one of many apologetic books I have read, but it really reinforced what I had learned. I would definitely recommend this book as a second or maybe third Catholic book. You really must have some background knowledge before reading the book. The thing I found most amazing was how he discussed the history of the bible with such accuracy. This book is a great, well-written, accurate account of almost 2000 years of Catholic history.
Rating:
Summary: Led me back to the Church
Review: I read this book in order to more fully understand the practices of the Church. At the time I was a non-denominational Christian. It is very concise and also written with humor. I found myself thinking "Wow, so that's why they do that!" many times. I reccomend this book to Catholics who want to learn more about their Church and Her practices and also non-Catholics with open mind who are just curious and want a clear explaination of the "wierd" rituals and history associated with the Church.
Rating:
Summary: this was a great book
Review: I bought the book hoping to learn a little about the Catholic religion since I don't know too much at all. I was amazed at all the information given by the author. Not only did I learn a lot, but I didn't get board with it either. I tend to start a book and give up if it doesn't really grab me, I couldn't put this one down! I finished it and was ready to read it again. It is a great book for anyone mistified buy what goes on in the Catholic church and why. I think it would also be great for someone who has gone to a Catholic church thier whole life, I was able to tell my Fiancé some things he didn't even know . He has been going to Catholic mass since he was born!
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful book
Review: It's a shame that a handful of disingenuous reviews weighed-down the overall rating for Johnson's wonderful book. One reviewer claims that the Church recanted in recent years and came to agree with Luther's view of salvation. That's simply false; the Church has always believed in salvation by grace. Pope John Paul II's recent dialogue with Lutherans was an example of ecumenism, not backsliding. Moreover, Johnson's book is in part a work of apologetics, and he ably defends the Faith against common accusations leveled against it by critics. If those defenses offend one's tender ears, then simply avoid apologetics.
Rating: 
Summary: It pains me to do this
Review: "Why Do Catholics Do That? is destined for the all-time top 20 list of indispensable desk references." I don't think so. I am a traditional and orthodox Catholic who craves good traditional surveys of Catholic belief and practice. Unfortunately, this one fails miserably to do what it should do. The author does have an interesting sense of humor and is entertaining. Unfortunately, the author is also loose with the facts, overgeneralizes, and displays an air of certainty regarding matters that are not so certain. For example, he claims that the Church from the beginning accepted the Septuagint as the Canon and that all Jews accepted the Septuagint Canon until Jamnia where they rejected it and returned to the Hebrew Canon and rewrote parts of the bible. This is simply false! The Septuagint was used by Jews in the diaspora and the Palestinian Hebrew Canon was used in Judea. The disciples did use the Septuagint as did most of the early Christians. While it is true that the majority of early Christians eventually accepted the deuterocanonical books as canonical, some Christian fathers had doubts. Athanasius prefered the shorter Hebrew Canon and Jerome did not give the deuterocanonicals equal status with the other books of the Old Testament. Both Philo and Josephus testify that most Jews regarded only the Hebrew books as canonical. While I don't think that the author intends to be anti-Jewish, he sure comes across that way. He paints a portrait of conniving and scheming Jewish rabbis (also unbelieving)out to destroy christianity at all costs. They are so bent on this that they will even rewrite their own scriptures. While it is true that the early Christians were thrown out of the synagogue and christianity was seen as a heresy by the Jews (which it would be if Christ were not the messiah), it is quite a stretch and very unhelpful to demonize the Jews as unbelieving Sadduccees hell bent on working iniquity toward Christians. This book is very sloppy and will surely mislead nonCatholics and Catholics who are not informed about the faith. I am utterly surprised at the number of positive reviews coming from Catholics. Don't these Catholics know the Church Fathers and the early history of Scripture and the Church? Apparently not. I would suggest that they all take a good intro to biblical studies course and a good course on patristics. Instead of this book, read the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Essential Catholic Handbook, and perhaps The Teaching of Christ: A Catholic Catechism for Adults.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: As someone who is returning to the church after many years away, I must say that this book has been a huge instrument in my return to the faith. The author has laid to rest all the myths about Catholicism that I once believed. I feel that I have a better understanding of the Catholic faith, now, because of this book.
|
