How much do American Catholics still identify with the Catholic Church? Do they agree with the Church's teachings, and how often do they participate in its sacraments? What do they think it takes to be a good Catholic? What do they consider to be the Church's core teachings? How do they believe issues of faith and morals should be decided: by the hierarchy, the laity, or some combination of the two? How are they coping with the priest shortage, and what do they believe the Church should do to solve the problem? How do they feel about social issues such as capital punishment and increased military spending? In American Catholics, four distinguished sociologists use national surveys from 1999, 1993, and 1987 to examine these issues. They show that Catholics' beliefs and practices are changing. They also demonstrate how differences in gender, generation, and commitment to the Church influence attitudes on all of these issues. Balanced and clear, filled with useful tables and charts, and unique in its ability to compare results over time, American Catholics makes essential reading for anyone interested in the future of Catholicism in the United States.
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Whether you are a pastoral leader or a 'person in the pews,' American Catholics will help you understand the complexities of Catholic life in the third millennium. This study of attitudes, beliefs and trends is a needed resource for responsible pastoral initiatives based on intelligent use of these rich data. Surprising findings await readers of this important new book. I couldn't put it down. (Dolores R. Leckey )
This book provides an essential portrait of American Catholicism at the turn of the third millennium. (Briggs, Sheila Conscience )
This work is especially helpful in the skillful way the accumulated data is put in the context of today's Church. (The Cara Report )
This a well-conceived study of American Roman Catholics whose Catholic identity, in nature and extent, has changed or is in the process of transformation.... The text is well written and liberally supported with tables and figures displaying the findings, often comparing the results of the three surveys. The book is written not only for the professional sociologist, but is also readily understandable to nonsociologists, while still holding its own under academic scrutiny. (Morris, Loretta M. Journal For The Scientific Study Of Religion )
American Catholics is an excellent summary and extension of the research of four of the top sociologists currently studying Catholicism in the United States. As such, it would be useful to several audiences.... Overall, this is an excellent book that fulfills its primary aim of summarizing some two decades of research on Catholic opinion for the audience that could most benefit from this knowledge. In the process, it also highlights some new issues that will be fruitful areas of research in the years to come. I look forward to the reports of additional studies by these authors in the future, as they continue to mine the riches of these data. (Patricia Wittberg Contemporary Sociology, 31.5 )
The authors provide important information about American Catholics and their attitude shifts over multiple generations.... By examining key elements of the American Catholics' belief system, along with Catholics' level of commitment to the Church, the researchers have been able to provide critical insight into current and possible future trends. Overall, this book is an important compilation of national data that will, among others, serve Catholics, laypersons and the academic community.... The book is informative and easily interpretable at every level of investigation which will help to popularize its important message. (Kevin Breault and Terri R. Terrell Catholic Issues )
For anyone teaching and doing research on the American Catholic Church, this is an indispensable book. (Susan A. Farrell Sociology Of Religion )
This book provides an essential portrait of American Catholicism at the turn of the third millennium. (Briggs, Sheila Conscience )
This work is especially helpful in the skillful way the accumulated data is put in the context of today's Church. (The Cara Report )
This a well-conceived study of American Roman Catholics whose Catholic identity, in nature and extent, has changed or is in the process of transformation.... The text is well written and liberally supported with tables and figures displaying the findings, often comparing the results of the three surveys. The book is written not only for the professional sociologist, but is also readily understandable to nonsociologists, while still holding its own under academic scrutiny. (Morris, Loretta M. Journal For The Scientific Study Of Religion )
American Catholics is an excellent summary and extension of the research of four of the top sociologists currently studying Catholicism in the United States. As such, it would be useful to several audiences.... Overall, this is an excellent book that fulfills its primary aim of summarizing some two decades of research on Catholic opinion for the audience that could most benefit from this knowledge. In the process, it also highlights some new issues that will be fruitful areas of research in the years to come. I look forward to the reports of additional studies by these authors in the future, as they continue to mine the riches of these data. (Patricia Wittberg Contemporary Sociology, 31.5 )
The authors provide important information about American Catholics and their attitude shifts over multiple generations.... By examining key elements of the American Catholics' belief system, along with Catholics' level of commitment to the Church, the researchers have been able to provide critical insight into current and possible future trends. Overall, this book is an important compilation of national data that will, among others, serve Catholics, laypersons and the academic community.... The book is informative and easily interpretable at every level of investigation which will help to popularize its important message. (Kevin Breault and Terri R. Terrell Catholic Issues )
For anyone teaching and doing research on the American Catholic Church, this is an indispensable book. (Susan A. Farrell Sociology Of Religion )
About the Author
William V. D'Antonio is a visiting research professor in the Department of Sociology at the Catholic University of America. James D. Davidson is professor of sociology at Purdue University. Dean R. Hoge is professor of sociology and director of the Life Cycle Institute at the Catholic University of America. Katherine Meyer is a professor in the Department of Sociology at Ohio State University.
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Are American Catholics Worshipping Fate?,
By Robert William DeMarco "santangelo" (Seattle, Washington United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: American Catholics: Gender, Generation, and Commitment (Paperback)
Since entering the new millennium American Catholicism has been in a state of accelerating free-fall. A large majority of Catholics have arrived at negative judgments about the ethical and pastoral teachings of their church's leadership on a wide range of important issues. Most Catholics believe these teachings are not merely wrong, but morally wrong. And most Catholics are finding it increasingly difficult to "pass on" their cherished Catholic heritage to their children as they come to adulthood. Will they watch their large, resourceful, generous, and tolerant faith community, which is of service in so many ways to American society and the world-wide Catholic church, collapse because of a small, very conservative, well intentioned, authoritarian minority (that happens to include most bishops and all but a few cardinals)? Those who care about the answer to this question should read this book about young adult Catholics by a team of distinguished scholars & researchers---then see, judge, & act.
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