Righteous Religion: Unmasking the Illusions of Fundamentalism and Authoritarian Catholicism (Religion, Ministry, and Pastoral Care) [Hardcover]

Kathleen Ritter (Author), Craig O'Neill (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 2, 1996 | ISBN-10: 0789060167 | ISBN-13: 978-0789060167 | Edition: 1

Why are so many individuals discouraged, at spiritual dead ends, even when they are active participants in their churches? Righteous Religion exposes the authoritarian misuse of Christian teaching that often leaves its members ignored, chastised, or belittled. This new book offers hope for anyone who has struggled with disillusionment in the face of an unbending religious system. After unmasking a bewildering network of illusions that operate beneath the surface of Fundamentalism and dogmatic Catholicism, the authors help readers find their own voices of truth. This is a candid book that analyzes the grip of Fundamentalism and Catholicism on their respective followers, despite financial and sexual scandals, misuse of power and influence, apparent hypocrisy, and selective self-righteousness of these two religious systems.

Using real life stories of ordinary people in ordinary churches, Righteous Religion demonstrates that the efforts involved in maintaining illusions are incompatible with claiming a personal spiritual voice. The authors discuss the relationship between the breakdown of erroneous notions and the growth that will involve readers in finding their own voice. From the stories presented, readers will see the journey progress from questioning previously unquestioned assumptions, reclaiming the best out of their religious traditions, and then transcending that which is no longer viable by grieving over illusions, learning to live with paradox, and transforming illusions into a new, valid, and spiritually personal religious truth.

As readers begin the journey of finding their own spiritual voice, their experiences will be validated by the prose and stories in Righteous Religion. Those outside of Fundamentalism and Catholicism can begin to understand the practices of these religious groups through the authors’clear explanation of the dynamics and inner workings of creed bound Fundamentalism and Catholicism. This book has appeal to anyone--whether from within or outside religious tradition--who has questioned the grip of Fundamentalism and Catholicism on individuals.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 212 pages
• Publisher: Haworth Press; 1 edition (July 2, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789060167
• ISBN-13: 978-0789060167
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,023,507 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars concise chrystalization of a difficult subject, August 6, 2005

By 

Avid reader "grief counselor" (south dakota) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Righteous Religion: Unmasking the Illusions of Fundamentalism and Authoritarian Catholicism (Paperback)

I appreciated this book immensely. I did not find any errors in it. (I was raised Catholic.) I felt it delineated clearly how I have felt about these churches for qutie some time. I particularly appreciated the references to a "good enough parent" with relationship to how churches work as well as famous psychological experts.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing subject but either not honest or not well researched, November 14, 2008

By 

D.S.J.R. "Brother in Christ" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Righteous Religion: Unmasking the Illusions of Fundamentalism and Authoritarian Catholicism (Paperback)

It is unfortunate two educated people are unable to present authentic Catholic teaching when presenting an opinion hostile to the faith. Rather than present authentic Catholic teaching, they tend to take isolated quotes from texts to support their distorted view of what the faith actually teaches.

As a cradle Catholic and the product of Catholic schools, I never experienced the "fear" these authors suggest is inherent to the Catholic family dynamic. Reading their assertions about Catholocism was like reading about a religion that was totally alien to me.

Perhaps a better presentation of this subject matter would be to present the faith accurately with an orthodox Catholic theologian providing any clarification to areas the authors take issue with, then argue their point from there. This method is not only more scholarly, it is much more honest.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good source for research papers, August 21, 2003

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"purplearmpitt_book_obsessions" (Bakersfield, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Righteous Religion: Unmasking the Illusions of Fundamentalism and Authoritarian Catholicism (Religion, Ministry, and Pastoral Care) (Hardcover)

I found this book very handy while I was doing a paper for my religion class. I read the other review and I think that since I am not Catholic, that may be why I didn't find this book offensive in any way. The authors presented the information in a clear and concise manner.