The Bad Catholic's Guide to the Catechism: A Faithful, Fun-Loving Look at Catholic Dogmas, Doctrines, and Schmoctrines

Okay, so the title is a bit misleading. The book isn't really a catechism (although it does use the "Versicle and Response" format of traditional catechisms, kinda-sorta). [Note: No Catholic catechism, not even one for "bad Catholics", ever had questions such as this one: "Well, if he wasn't a benevolent space visitor, who was Jesus anyway?"]No, this is actually a quite orthodox attempt at redescribing the Church's teachings for those to whom they have been explained, if at all, very badly. Adults, young or otherwise, who haven't had any theological training since the mandatory four hours or so a week in sixth grade-- if they were lucky enough to go to parochial school-- or maybe 45 minutes or so a week, and for fewer weeks, if it was just their parish's pre-Confirmation class, will benefit from this book, both because it gives them knowledge they need when someone asks them "Jusrt what do you Catholics believe, snyway?" (and the person asking may be you yourself), and because it is not presented in anything like as boring a manner as they remember it from middle school.The author manages to be at once very erudite and remarkably funny (and no, pneumatological heresies aren't those that make you cough), and makes things such as Nestorianism, the filioque, and the Rituale Romanum remarkably interesting and accessible. This is a book I can easily recommend to practicing Catholics, who might want to to put their faith into a broader (and more amusing) context, to former or 'back-sliding' Catholics, as a reminder of what they are supposed to believe, to Protestants, as a response to ill-informed questions about worshipping saints, and to give them a clue about their own histories, and to atheists, to let them know what they're missing.Recommended.

There are few books that, once I start them, I cannot put them down, and almost look forward to being trapped in the center seat on Delta just so I can have some time to finish some chapters.This is one of those books.After hearing the author on Catholic Radio on SiriusXM, I liked his dry, but very pointed sense of humor. He didn't pull any punches during the interview. I liked what I heard, and thought, well, give one of his books a try.I am so glad I did. One of the benefits of reading this book is to review the true aspects of our Catholic faith, sometimes not what you were taught or believed (since Catholic education is sometimes taught by people who still believe you can catch a headcold if you bang your head, it's not surprising that there's been some teachings that were passed down that should have been dispelled over the years). It's also good to read from an apologist perspective, as the populist media and the unknowing public often criticize Catholics for being some perverse version of "Papal Pawn," if they don't bring up the sex abuse scandals.And as another reader wrote, his treatment of those scandals was spot-on: no holds barred. It helps to remember that any institution where two or more humans get together can stray, and we sure had some who strayed. Sadly, the few who did, and those who covered up for them, tainted the thousands who gave their lives to preaching peace, love, and social justice, while visiting the sick and dying and bringing the faithful hope.If I were teaching Confirmation classes, I would use this book as a text. Of course, I'd probably be thrown out of my parish. But nothing in here is heresy: wit is used as a tool to keep you focused on subjects that otherwise could be very dry.If you are Catholic or thinking about becoming Catholic, this is a GREAT, easy, funny read!

Author uses a different style of writing to get the point across using what I perceived as too "tongue in cheek" humor, that kept me confused at times. Found myself having to really focus, and at times re-read so I could "get it". I can see this confusing others as well. So, decided to put it down after a few chapters. Not my preference, but certainly can see how others comfortable with this style could enjoy and benefit from reading it. When dealing with things of catechism, for me, I need a different approach, to be clear, with no room for confusion.

Lots of good Catholic culture. Information and humor abound. Love this!

I'm in the middle of reading this latest example of John Zmirak's presentation of genuine Cahtolicism unblemished by "the Spirit of Vatican II" nonsense, while adhering to the truth of the documents of the 2nd Vatican Council.I've read Zmirak's three previous efforts and am enthralled by his mischievous recasting of real Catholic teaching, customs, liturgy and philosophy. Zmirak is one of those astonishing educators who knows his topic so well he can have fun with and even make fun of it without losing his reverence for the Church and her teachings.You won't find relativism or situation ethics in these pages. You will find the Catholic Church's authentic teaching, presented for public consumption, direct from the pages of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. His cheerful prose is marred only slightly and very occasionly by careless errors of fact, easily corrected by a decent editor, such as allowing readers to believe that Archbishop Jose Gomez made certain remarks about immigration in 2008 as if he were Archbishop of Los Angeles at the time instead of Archbishop of San Antonio. He wasn't transferred to LA until 2011. In this presnt volume on the catechism, Zmirak becomes a touch or two more solemn than in the other Bad Catholics' Guides. But it's just a touch.All this notwithstanding, anyone reading Zmirak's series will come away with a profound respect for his familiarity with the subject and impressed with his impishness in relaying the information. Zmirak is inspired by the very best defenders of the Faith; he is, himself, a latter-day G. K. Chesterton.God bless John Zmirak, Evangelist to all the, unhappily, poorly educated Catholics of our present age.

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this. It has a great tone, witty and enjoyable however make no mistake this is a very thorough piece of catechism and apologetics rolled into one. I'm sure people will find issues or contentious elements but over all its very informative and something I wished I'd picked up years ago to givr me more confidence and understanding of my faith. Not finished it yet but highly recommend.

Hysterically funny but also gives a lot of excellent information about real catholic beliefs as opposed to what is frequently thought to be catholic beliefs dogma and doctrines.