Catholicism for Dummies or The Idiots Guide...Which is the better book?

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Malia_Belen

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Thanks for answering. I’m asking because I just began reading Dummies and I’ve already read some stuff out off Idiots and the books seem quite different in what they are saying. I mean really different as in one of them doesn’t sound quite like the things that I’ve learned about Catholicism as of yet.
 
I don’t know anything about the Idiots book, but the content of the Dummies book is very reliable. It was part of my reading when I was crossing the Tiber, and it was very helpful.

DaveBj
 
Dummies is much more reliable. RUN from the Idiot’s one. (I have the Dummies one that I picked up for a friend for Christmas.)
 
Malia_Belen said:
Thanks for answering. I’m asking because I just began reading Dummies and I’ve already read some stuff out off Idiots and the books seem quite different in what they are saying. I mean really different as in one of them doesn’t sound quite like the things that I’ve learned about Catholicism as of yet.
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Maybe this isn’t the direction you were hoping to go: but who are you talking to in person? A parish priest? A DRE? Who is helping you with your conversion and training? :confused:

Ask that person which they find to be better, and when there are items that don’t seem to be the same, ask them for explanation. … sometimes, it’s two different ways to look at the same thing, some times, the author is just incorrect. It’s important to know which you are dealing with. :o
 
I must agree with those above. The Idiot’s book is terrible, useless for anyone who really wants to learn about Catholicism. It’s ideological, and the Catholic-in-name-only / cultural Catholics / cafeteria Catholics prefer it.

The Dummies book is co-authored by Fr. Trigillio, a trustworthy priest of the D. of Harrisburg. It is excellent, solid, reliable
 
Agreed with the others. My husband and I bought the Idiot’s Guide prior to starting RCIA… TERRIBLE book. For example, it says that a priest can give you permission to contracept if he thinks your circumstances are grave enough. :rolleyes:

The Dummies book is much, much better. 👍
 
I bought the Idiot’s Guide to Understanding Catholicism a few years back and was immediately troubled by some of the information. I now also own a copy of Catholicism for Dummies and love it.

Here is the real distinction between the two books in my humble opinion. The Catholicism for Dummies book has the Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur official declarations. The Idiot’s Guide to Understanding Catholicism does not have those official declarations.

I’ll keep reading the Catholicism for Dummies book.
 
And if you take Apryl’s advice and the person you’re working with prefers the Idiots’ book, find someone else to work with!

Dummies is the most reliable, by far.

Betsy
 
Pence said:
I bought the Idiot’s Guide to Understanding Catholicism a few years back and was immediately troubled by some of the information. I now also own a copy of Catholicism for Dummies and love it.

Here is the real distinction between the two books in my humble opinion. The Catholicism for Dummies book has the Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur official declarations. The Idiot’s Guide to Understanding Catholicism does not have those official declarations.

I’ll keep reading the Catholicism for Dummies book.
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Yep. Asking which one is best is a bit like asking who’s the better musician out of Mozart and Britney Spears. If you even have to ask the question … 🤷
 
baltobetsy said:
And if you take Apryl’s advice and the person you’re working with prefers the Idiots’ book, find someone else to work with!
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Ok, yeah… but…

Alright, it wasn’t a well thought out response. I was trying, and thinking that most people who are doing RCIA are working with some one… :o

I wasn’t thinking about that person being an idiot… and I should know better: I’m far too well aware that there are evil forces within The Church who would have you think it’s ok to not be really Catholic to call yourself Catholic. :mad:

… Mea Culpa? 😦

(Did I say that right? I wasn’t around for Latin Masses):o
 
I will concur with everyone on this thread.

Catholicism for Dummies is an entertaining, engaging read. It’s surprisingly thorough, but written at a fairly easy to understand level. It is also completely faithful to the teachings of the Catholic Church.

The Idiot’s Guide to Catholicism may be one of the most universally panned books on this forum! It is written with a VERY liberal bias, contains a couple of serious factual errors, and borders on heretical in several places. This is a book about what liberals would like the Catholic Church to become, or mistakenly believe it already teaches, but it is indeed mistaken. Avoid this book like the plague!
 
Thanks everyone for your replies. I knew sometimes sounded really strange about Idiot’s but I didn’t want to say anything bad about it in case the writer was right. I’m currently reading Catholicism for Dummies right now.

Someone mentioned talking to someone at RCIA but I’m not in the program because I don’t have a way to get there and also because I thought RCIA didn’t start again until the fall or is it a year round thing?
 
Malia_Belen said:
Someone mentioned talking to someone at RCIA but I’m not in the program because I don’t have a way to get there and also because I thought RCIA didn’t start again until the fall or is it a year round thing?
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That was me. I wasn’t thinking about the calendar. :o

But perhaps you could contact the Director of Religious Education of your parish, or someone in the Diocene office… whoever that may be. 👍
 
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