The New Anti-Catholicism: The Last Acceptable Prejudice
Encyclopedia
The New Anti-Catholicism: The Last Acceptable Prejudice is a book
written by Philip Jenkins
, Distinguished Professor of History and Religious studies at Pennsylvania State University
, dealing with contemporary anti-Catholic bigotry, particularly in the United States.
Jenkins, a former Catholic who converted to the Episcopal Church
in 1980, argues that bigotry
and hatred toward Catholics is not a thing of the past, but rather is still thriving in the U.S. In Jenkins's view it is a form of bigotry that is ignored or even accepted or encouraged in quarters (mainly politically and culturally liberal
ones) that would not tolerate most other forms of bigotry.
A statement that is seen as racist, misogynistic, anti-Semitic, or homophobic can haunt a speaker for years, writes Jenkins, but it is still possible to make hostile and vituperative public statements about Roman Catholicism without fear of serious repercussions.
, calling Jenkins "the foremost historian of religious trends today, reviewed the book favorably, noting that the issues are particularly topical today. The Tablet
, a British Catholic publication, in its review, while admitting that the book raised important issues, accused Jenkins of lacking a sense of humor. In 2009, the National Review
suggested that the author ought to consider publishing an updated version in light of recent incidents of anti-Catholicism. The Baltimore Sun called it "a book of powerfully convincing fairness, of impressive scholarship and of extraordinary courage – Jenkins strips naked some of the most cherished hypocrisies of American ideologues from one extreme of the spectrum to the other."
Book
A book is a set or collection of written, printed, illustrated, or blank sheets, made of hot lava, paper, parchment, or other materials, usually fastened together to hinge at one side. A single sheet within a book is called a leaf or leaflet, and each side of a leaf is called a page...
written by Philip Jenkins
Philip Jenkins
Philip Jenkins is as of 2010 the Edwin Erle Sparks Professor of Humanities at Pennsylvania State University . He was Professor and a Distinguished Professor of History and Religious studies at the same institution; and also assistant, associate and then full professor of Criminal Justice and...
, Distinguished Professor of History and Religious studies at Pennsylvania State University
Pennsylvania State University
The Pennsylvania State University, commonly referred to as Penn State or PSU, is a public research university with campuses and facilities throughout the state of Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1855, the university has a threefold mission of teaching, research, and public service...
, dealing with contemporary anti-Catholic bigotry, particularly in the United States.
Jenkins, a former Catholic who converted to the Episcopal Church
Episcopal Church
An episcopal church has bishops in its organisational structure which is calledEpiscopal polityEpiscopal Church may refer to:Anglican Communion:...
in 1980, argues that bigotry
Bigotry
A bigot is a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices, especially one exhibiting intolerance, and animosity toward those of differing beliefs...
and hatred toward Catholics is not a thing of the past, but rather is still thriving in the U.S. In Jenkins's view it is a form of bigotry that is ignored or even accepted or encouraged in quarters (mainly politically and culturally liberal
Liberalism
Liberalism is the belief in the importance of liberty and equal rights. Liberals espouse a wide array of views depending on their understanding of these principles, but generally, liberals support ideas such as constitutionalism, liberal democracy, free and fair elections, human rights,...
ones) that would not tolerate most other forms of bigotry.
A statement that is seen as racist, misogynistic, anti-Semitic, or homophobic can haunt a speaker for years, writes Jenkins, but it is still possible to make hostile and vituperative public statements about Roman Catholicism without fear of serious repercussions.
Reception
The Washington Post review called it "A provocative brief on some of the uglier prejudices lurking behind today's Catholic controversies." The National Catholic RegisterNational Catholic Register
Not to be confused with the National Catholic Reporter or the Catholic RegisterThe National Catholic Register is the oldest national Catholic newspaper in the United States. It was founded on 8 November 1927 by Msgr. Matthew J...
, calling Jenkins "the foremost historian of religious trends today, reviewed the book favorably, noting that the issues are particularly topical today. The Tablet
The Tablet
The Tablet is a Catholic international weekly review published in London. Contributors to its pages have included Evelyn Waugh, Graham Greene, Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Paul VI ....
, a British Catholic publication, in its review, while admitting that the book raised important issues, accused Jenkins of lacking a sense of humor. In 2009, the National Review
National Review
National Review is a biweekly magazine founded by the late author William F. Buckley, Jr., in 1955 and based in New York City. It describes itself as "America's most widely read and influential magazine and web site for conservative news, commentary, and opinion."Although the print version of the...
suggested that the author ought to consider publishing an updated version in light of recent incidents of anti-Catholicism. The Baltimore Sun called it "a book of powerfully convincing fairness, of impressive scholarship and of extraordinary courage – Jenkins strips naked some of the most cherished hypocrisies of American ideologues from one extreme of the spectrum to the other."
Contents
- Preface
- 1 The Limits of Hatred
- 2 The Catholic Menace
- 3 Catholics and Liberals
- 4 The Church Hates Women
- 5 The Church Kills Gays
- 6 Catholics and the News Media
- 7 "The Perp Walk of Sacramental Perverts": The Pedophile Priest Crisis
- 8 Catholics in Movies and Television
- 9 Black Legends: Rewriting Catholic History
- 10 The End of Prejudice
- Notes
- Index
External links
- List of book reviews, including The New Anti-Catholicism hosted at Philip Jenkins' Penn State webpage. Accessed 2011-07-22.