Failing America's Faithful: How Today's Churches Are Mixing God with Politics and Losing Their Way

by Kathleen Kennedy Townsend

Book Overview

Part memoir with inspirational insight, part religious and political rebuke of American Christianity, 'Failing America's Faithful' is a heartfelt call for spiritual renewal from Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, a member of America's most famous and controversial Catholic family.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0446577154
• ISBN13: 9780446577151
• Release Date: March 2007
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.2" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

Great Book!

I loved this book so much, I gave copies to as many people as I could, especially the young adults in my family. Kathleen Townsend is clearly a committed believer, whose values have been formed by her Catholic faith, yet she has wonderful, clear insight into the failings, timidity, and missed opportunities of all the Churches and Church leaders in recent years. I wish I could give copies to every Catholic Bishop and Protestant Church leader in the country. Buy it, read it, and then give it to your Pastor!

A True Leader and Lady of Principle

Bravo for Kathleen Kennedy Townsend! It takes courage to confront the leaders of her own Catholic faith, both political parties and Protestant leaders as well, but she is right! The poorest of the poor are being forgotten by both the church and our political leaders and someone has to do something! Kathleen suggests everyone who agrees with her premise, that part of being Christian is to "love your neighbor", should start doing something. Churches are losing sight of this in favor of telling their congregations what they should and should not do. Churches today have lost sight of the need to help the neediest of society, and are just catering to their own particular enclave. She really made me want to participate and she urges everyone to take action individually, and that one by one, we can change this country for the better. Her book is very insightful and contains some fascinating research into the history of Protestantism in the founding of this country and how we need to return to our roots. It took courage to write this book, and I think the country needs a leader now like Kathleen Kennedy Townsend! We need someone with her integrity, faith and intelligence. Her book is part memoir and part a "call to arms" for everyone to start helping to change this country for the better.

A Courageous Book

This is a must read for all Catholics who love their church. Ms. Townsend courageously challenges us to be faithful within a church that has shown itself to be all too human and inflexible in the face of our changing world. I believe it is this kind of challenge that will allow the church to grow. I am so glad she wrote this book! M.Connole Bethesda, MD

Not Afraid to Think

This thoughtful, deeply personal book is a reminder that true faith is not blind, nor deaf, nor dumb. Townsend is clearly a person of deep faith. She passionately conveys the essential role religious beliefs have played throughout her life. Yet she seems never to have shyed away from questioning the authority figures who lay claim to defining those beliefs. She thinks, she questions, she challenges. From a child in the classroom to a college student grappling with a friend's abortion to an elected official ridiculed from the pulpit of her own parish church, Townsend makes clear that she respects and values religious institutions but she has never been a passive participant. As a Catholic woman myself, this book resonates with my own experiences and feelings. I think it will do the same for many Christians. We just have to be willing to think, to question and to be challenged to act.