Customer Reviews

Why Do Catholics Do That?

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3 star:		(7)
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1 star:		(11)

 

 

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.

This is my favorite "Why do Catholics" book, and I have read quite a few, as I was raised Catholic and had to learn to defend my beliefs when my parents moved to the Bible belt in my late teens. If I had known about this book then, my life would have been much easier.

Dr. Johnson's book is much more entertaining and thorough than work of a similar nature, such as Karl Keating's better known books. Dr. Johnson converses with the reader, which makes the writing style engaging and memorable; he does not say use the dry approach of "some people think this," but rather uses and approach of "We Catholics believe." He does not discuss beliefs of other religions, except when comparing the different approach used for compilations of scriptures. This makes me more comfortable in recommending to books to other Christians, unlike Keating's work, in which the terms used sometimes appeal slanderous to people from denominations such as Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses.

This is a book of Catholic practices and religious beliefs and explores illustrates from where they came. It does not address moral theology, but is more concerned with issues such as "why does the Old Testament comprise these books," "why is there a Pope," "what is the official stances on alleged apparitions," "what is the roles of saints," ect. But is also has fun tid bits of information that many Catholic information guides fail to address, like the use of incense, the dress of clergy, and terms used for the religious. It also explains popular devotions and their history; such as The Way of the Cross and the rosary.

Amazon recommended it to me for some time. I wish I bought it sooner, but I thought that it looked too basic to be a wise investment for me. Then some one gave me a gift certificate for Christmas and this book was at the store; I flipped though it and found so much entertaining trivia, that I purchased it on the spot- wishing I had listened to Amazon sooner.

I have since given them as gifts to people who wanted to learn more about Catholicism, and contrary to a few opinions expressed form other reviews here, they did not find the book offensive, but appreciated it. I highly recommend it. The broad range of information it contains makes it an ideal reference for the uninitiated and curious, as well as for the person who has had much experience and education in Catholicism seeking to fill in any gaps of knowledge.

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.

Yes, I'm Catholic -- always have been. I bought this book while taking a bible study course on the Acts of the Apostles. I wanted to know more about the beginning of the Church. It's been over a year since I read it -- I found it profoundly enlightening, and continue to learn from it. I've read many of the reviews here, and am surprised at the negative accounts. The author has a definite writing style -- he's actually VERY funny -- but I think he is being taken by many to be haughty. Instead, I find him to be a true believer -- he is very secure in his Catholicism -- that's why he wrote the book!

Kevin Orlin Johnson has taken VOLUMES of material and gleaned powerful information to show us what makes Catholicism unique. I couldn't help but read much of it out loud to my family, as it was so exciting to examine the history from which our practices developed. I found it humbling and inspiring at the same time. It's one of the best books I've ever read! Even more important, I believe it will move the reader to want to learn more about his/her own faith through Scripture and other publications, whether Catholic or not. It surely motivated me!

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.

When I read this book, it was mostly as a joke. I had decided to read it because I thought the title was humorous. However, I read it seriously, not half-heartedly. This is one of two books (the other being Greg Tobin's "The Wisdom of St. Patrick") that helped to begin and solidify my thought processes toward converting to Catholicism. The author really pulls you in and forces you to look at not just what the Church does, but why it does those things and whether or not that is what we all should be doing. As a protestant reading this, it made me really analyze my protestant roots and question them like I've never questioned them before. This book was really my first step. I fought it all the way, but there are things about both Protestantism and Catholicism that this book makes you realize deep in your soul and heart. Another must read for the Protestant, either with Catholic friends, with an interest in the history and tradition of the Church, or one thinking of converting... This book will take one through an amazing spiritual journey whether you wish to go or not.

This book may be partially responsible for my return to the Church after more than a decade away. It's written in a conversational, non-confrontational style that is easy to read yet at the same time rarely gets boring. It also explains many things that may not make sense to cradle Catholics, things that could easily have caused a division from the Church.

I recommend this book for Catholics but am uncertain about its impact for non-Catholics as the author does assume a basic familiarity with the Church. I also would not recommend it for serious theology students as the treatment of the subject matter is probably at too basic a level.

However, this book for me served as a useful springboard into more serious theological study (including the Catechism) and is a great place for returning or uncertain Catholics to get started!

"Why Do Catholics Do That?" is a rare find- highly readable, unpretentious, and rock-solid in its information. I suspect that Johnson is an excellent teacher, for that is the style in which he writes. His chapters are focused on the broad picture, he uses analogies and examples that are easily understandable, and he carefully, step by step, explains the falacies of what many assume to be Catholic beliefs. I also suspect that he genuinely likes being a Catholic - and that comes through in his writing. I have owned the book for a number of years and have read it almost ragged.I now give it as gifts to Catholic friends of a certain age who start to say, "Wait. What is this all about, anyway?"
In particular, I applaud the chapter on tradition (customs) versus Tradition (non-scriptural sources of doctrine, such as the writings of St. Augustine and the other Church Fathers.)This area is a source of confusion and contention to many, and I think Johnson's explanation is excellent.
I would recommend this book to anyone, high school age and up, of any faith.

A well credentialed PHD, Orlin has produced an excellent reference for the Catholic and non-Catholic alike. I continually find myself puzzled when reviewing the reactions of many non-Catholics to books such as this one. I detected no animosity whatsoever to other religions, in fact, what rang clear was a confident, well-stated and accurate exspression of many of the often misunderstood concepts, Traditions and beliefs of the Catholic Church. Our religion is one that is continually misunderstood, ridiculed and is surrounded with assumed misinformation. Orlin brings, in extremely cogent, well written fashion, a new understanding to many of the sacred traditions we hold close. My assumption is that the confidence in which the information is presented, by implication, may upset SOME non-Catholics as a result of a lack of faith in their own beliefs whatever they may be. This text is an enhancement to the catechism of the Catholic faith and should be required reading for all Catholics seeking to expand their knowledge and faith.

The depth of information in this book was surprising, and I was amazed at the author's painstaking research. It made me not only better understand Catholic customs, but inspired me to practice them. There is much more than customs explained here, however. Origins of Catholic faith, worship, and culture (the very principle and bedrock of western culture) are explored, and the last chapter of the book presents an extensive reading list that will keep ...[Amazon.com]customers busy placing new orders.

To explain Catholicism so convincingly doctor Johnson takes you on a journey through 2,000 years of history (in only 267 pages). As a result, the reader is left with a real appreciation of the Power and Glory of the Catholic Church, and this is the beauty of Johnson's book. I strongly recommend it and also "Triumph" by H.W. Crocker III, which is another courageous and much needed book for Catholics and non-Catholics alike. Also, "the Spirit of Catholicism" by Karl Adam is a timeless treasure.

Anti-Catholics have got a real tall order in trying to attack this history of the Church's beliefs and customs--a Church divinely founded by Christ. A faith that stands the test of time like no other is hard to argue with, even though Jesus claimed that it "would be hated by all for His name's sake".

The book contains no mean-spirited assessment of non-Catholic Christians. On page 34 the author honestly and charitably writes, "while a book like this has to draw the distinction between the doctrines of the Church and the doctrines of those who have left her, that doesn't mean that any specific person is evil-or good, for that matter. Accurate or inaccurate in teaching, yes; but not personally trying to do anything wrong, necessarily." Mr. Johnson is not a Protestant basher.

There is no 'historical revisionism' in the book either, nor lies. Doctor Johnson correctly states what competent historians acknowledge-that Luther threw out 7 Old Testament books because they disagreed with his doctrines. Some Christians like to think there is no authority above the bible; certainly Luther--who himself acknowledged that 'without the Catholic Church we wouldn't have the bible'--thought he was above the bible!

Doctor Johnson correctly presents the Church's teaching on salvation. In 1999 the Vatican issued the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification. It involved no change in Catholic doctrine. It only functioned to lift the condemnations that Catholics and Lutherans had long held against each other's salvation doctrines. They recognized a misunderstanding of each other's terminology. Experts claim it was just a small step toward doctrinal unity between the two but much much more needs to be done.

Doctor Johnson explains that the Catholic Church has never taught that we are saved by our 'good works'. To this day the teaching office of the Church has never officially taught error in matters of faith and morals, (it is protected from doing so by the Holy Spirit) and that is a fact of history that has never been disproved. Jesus said to his Apostles, the first leaders of the Church, "The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your mind whatever I have said to you."

So if you are Catholic or Protestant, go ahead, light a candle, make the Sign of the Cross, pray the rosary (which, like the Mass, incorporates the Lord's Prayer), and read "Why Do Catholics Do That?" You owe it to yourself!