The Catholic Myth: The Behavior and Beliefs of American Catholics

by Andrew M. Greeley

For the past three decades, Andrew Greeley, priest, sociologist, and bestselling author, has researched the behavior and beliefs of American Catholics.

In The Catholic Myth author Andrew Greeley translates his works into hard data as he describes the fascinating, wonderful, and slightly daffy story of American Catholicism since the end of the Second Vatican Council.

Genres: Religion, Sociology, Nonfiction, History, Catholic

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

Andrew Greeley was a Roman Catholic priest, sociologist, journalist, and author of 50 best-selling novels and more than 100 works of nonfiction. For decades, Greeley entertained readers with such popular characters as the mystery-solving priest Blackie Ryan and the fey, amateur sleuth Nuala Anne McGrail. His books typically center on Irish-American Roman Catholics living or working in Chicago.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/andrew...

Reviews

[Michael Tenerowicz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Father Greeley has amassed his statistics about the Catholic Church and presented us with his interpretations. Through all of his factual outlay the whole book , as usually is the case with sociological studies is predicated on a belief he can not prove with all his numbers. It is his belief in the Sacramental Imagination. This didn't trouble me because the concept was intriguing if at times uncomforatable. But the main concept I was struck with was it was totally honest. Something not usually found in Catholic writings. In fact, a running semi-comical theme was the constant rejection he received from his work by his superiors. His frustrations were completely understandable. Father Greeley's main clash with his church is his self proclaimed feminism and realignment of female roles. When this was finally addressed in the book he got much deeper into his numbers and the statistics became a bit drawn out and confusing. Otherwise it brought me a new prospective about a few issues I have with my belief systems of the Church, and anytime anything can make me rethink things that I had taken for granted for years is a good thing.

[Roger Buck · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hard for me to be objective about this. On the one hand, there are truly valuable _sociological_ insights here! Once upon a time I was enthused indeed.

On the other hand, Greeley seems possessed by a liberal Catholic battle-axe and pours scorn over those who don't share his liberal Catholic agenda. I related to this when I was a liberal Catholic myself, but over time I became ever more traditional and saw that the Gospel according to Greeley had its limitations.

In my own writing, I have invoked the benefit of the real insight Greeley gave me, while also honouring Catholic tradition. Anyone interested in such a mix may be referred to my website here …

http://corjesusacratissimum.org

[Argum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fr. Greeley's personality is very much a part of this book despite its statistical and sociological foundations. At times that is abrasive, but for the most part even when I disagree with him it adds spice to what could be dull. I wonder how true these trends are now at almost 20 years remove from publication. His central idea about seeing the world differently because you are Catholic driving the many different ideas and problems in the Church are interesting and I think valid. Very interesting read

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written from Greeley's sociological perspective. He cites lots of statistics and analyzes data. The conclusions are interesting and not always what I would have anticipated. His sense of humor comes through.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you've ever wondered about the subtle differences between Roman Catholics and Protestants than this book will interest you. Easy to read, and very eye-opening.

[Phil Lawless · Rating 5 out of 5]

By now, we wonder whether the surveys quoted would show the same results. Still very enlightening.