20 Answers: Anti-Catholic Myths

by Jimmy Akin

Did the pope support Hitler?

Aren’t Christmas, Easter, and other holidays stolen from pagan feasts?

Doesn’t the use of statues and idolatrous religious art prove that Catholics worship Mary and the saints?

Isn’t Catholic history one long string of oppression, from native peoples subjected by missionaries to innocent women, scientists, and non-believers burned at the stake?

When you have been around for 2,000 years like the Catholic Church, there are bound to be some crazy rumors about you. Some are ancient, re-warmed from age to age by the Church’s enemies; others are modern, kept afloat by the mounting ignorance of an increasingly secular society. 20 Answers: Anti-Catholic Myths looks at some of the most persistent of those myths, both historical and theological, serious and silly, that continue to be voiced to our day, and shows you how to defend the Church from the lies.

The 20 Answers Series from Catholic Answers offers hard facts, powerful arguments, and clear explanations of the most important topics facing the Church and the world—all in a compact, easy-to-read package. Check out dozens of other topics in the 20 Answers Series of booklets published by Catholic Answers Press

Genres: Religion

Kindle Edition

Published June 2, 2021

About the author

Jimmy Akin (b. 1965) was born in Texas, grew up nominally Protestant, but at age 20 experienced a profound conversion to Christ. Planning on becoming a Protestant pastor or seminary professor, he started an intensive study of the Bible. But the more he immersed himself in Scripture the more he found to support the Catholic faith. Eventually, he was compelled in conscience to enter the Catholic Church, which he did in 1992. His conversion story, "A Triumph and a Tragedy," is published in Surprised by Truth. Besides being an author, Jimmy is a Senior Apologist at Catholic Answers, a contributing editor to This Rock magazine, and a weekly guest on "Catholic Answers Live."

Reviews

[James Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't sure what to expect from this one, especially as I had just finished the 20 Answers Faith & Science one, but this one was exceptional and delightful. I really like Jimmy Akin's style, and he knows how to pick apart and really examine things. While this is certainly not comprehensive, it does a good job of dealing with the common Protestant, Atheistic, and formerly Catholic myths and ideas that are perpetuated. The last two chapters also give a concise way of understanding and answering Anti-Catholic myths that was a nice way to finish the book. Excellent!

[Brian]

Overall, this book did a fine job at tackling the basics. I think this book should have gone deeper into the Galileo and Crusades controversies, especially since they are such prevalent topics in debates regarding Catholicism. I wasn’t overly convinced on the way these were portrayed, and I think more reading is necessary to truly understand these issues.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stellar as always

[Christopher Moellering · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good overview and refutation of common anti-Catholic charges.

[Mariann Fourny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not bad. I think some of the answers might have been a bit too aggressive. But stupid statements sometimes need stupid rebuttal. Overall it was a nice book for apologetics.