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.

Ranking Faiths: Religious Stratification in America discusses how religion shapes access to power, privilege, and prestige in the U.S., both historically and today. James D. Davidson and Ralph E. Pyle dispel the idea that the U.S. was founded on the principle of religious equality for all, documenting how religion has been a factor in the allocation of power from the colonial period through the present. From the time of the earliest settlements in America through today, the book demonstrates that some religious groups have had more access to economic, political, and social rewards than others, and they have benefited from laws and customs that have maintained religious inequality over time. While a few religious groups, such as Catholics and Jews, have experienced significant upward mobility over time, the social status of most has remained remarkably static over time. The book shows how religious inequalities developed, highlight where they remain in society today, and discuss what Americans can and should do about it.

Catholicism in Motion is a collection of articles by sociologist James D. Davidson, Ph.D., on issues facing Catholics in the United States. The book looks at the state of Catholicism in America past, present, and future, and at the average American Catholic from economical, political, social, and cultural standpoints. Part II of the book examines opportunities and challenges facing contemporary Catholics, including clergy issues and parish education. The final section is devoted to current beliefs and practices of American Catholics. Well-researched, this book is an informative collection of important data. It includes graphs and indexes for easy interpretation of what is presented. Every Catholic will find it enlightening and motivating, and all Church leaders will want to read this book. Paperback PDF Samples Table of Contents & Introduction Index Chapter 5: Challenges with Authority, Sexual Abuse, and Other Problems

This book is an attempt to show where today's parishes can find "common ground."

While lay ministers have quickly become an integral part of the day-to-day functioning of the Catholic Church in the United States, little has been written about their spiritual practices ... until now.