The New Anti-Catholicism: The Last Acceptable Prejudice

Philip Jenkins examines anti-Catholic bias in modern American society and argues that it remains a widely tolerated form of prejudice. His analysis spans media, academia, entertainment, and political discourse to document patterns of anti-Catholic sentiment. The book traces historical roots of American anti-Catholicism from colonial times through the present day, with particular focus on shifts in the post-1960 period. Jenkins provides examples from popular culture, news coverage, and public debates to demonstrate how negative stereotypes and hostile rhetoric about Catholics persist. Contemporary issues covered include the sexual abuse crisis in the Catholic Church, debates over abortion and sexuality, and portrayals of Catholic clergy and institutions in film and television. The work incorporates research from sociology, media studies, and religious history to analyze these manifestations of anti-Catholic attitudes. The text raises questions about religious discrimination and double standards in American public discourse, suggesting that behaviors deemed unacceptable toward other religious groups remain commonplace in discussions of Catholicism. This examination prompts broader consideration of religious tolerance and prejudice in modern society.

Readers found Jenkins' analysis thorough and well-researched, with clear examples of anti-Catholic bias in media, academia, and popular culture. Many appreciated his balanced approach as a non-Catholic scholar examining prejudice. Liked: - Documentation of specific incidents and patterns - Historical context of anti-Catholicism in America - Focus on both liberal and conservative criticism of the Church - Clear writing style with academic rigor Disliked: - Some felt Jenkins downplayed legitimate criticism of the Church - Several readers wanted more discussion of solutions - A few noted the book feels dated (published 2003) - Some wanted deeper analysis of root causes Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (89 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (41 ratings) "Well-researched but could have gone deeper into modern manifestations" - Goodreads reviewer "Important perspective but sometimes defensive" - Amazon reviewer "Strong on examples, weaker on analysis" - LibraryThing reviewer

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Catholics in America by Patrick W. Carey A chronicle of Catholic experiences in America from the colonial period to modern times, with focus on discrimination and gradual acceptance.

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🔹 Philip Jenkins was raised Catholic but later converted to the Episcopal Church, giving him a unique dual perspective on anti-Catholic prejudice in America. 🔹 The book reveals that many major newspapers in the 1800s, including The New York Times, regularly published anti-Catholic cartoons and editorials that would be considered hate speech by today's standards. 🔹 Jenkins documents how anti-Catholic sentiment shifted from primarily Protestant sources in the 19th century to secular liberal sources in the late 20th century, particularly around issues of sexuality and gender. 🔹 The author identifies Hollywood as a major source of modern anti-Catholic bias, citing films like "Priest" (1994) and "Dogma" (1999) as examples of how the entertainment industry often portrays the Catholic Church negatively. 🔹 According to Jenkins's research, while other forms of religious bigotry have become socially unacceptable in American society, anti-Catholic rhetoric remains largely unchallenged in mainstream media and academia.