Running head:STEREOTYPES OF CATHOLICS 1

Catholic Stereotypes

Leslie Contreras

Glendale Community College

In today's society we can see that a lot of religions such as Catholics are being

stereotyped for what it is we do. For instance, me personally being a catholic is not easy because

of how we always get asked questions about if we are Christian or if we worship the pope or why

it is we believe in the Virgin Mary. Specifically, I choose to talk about catholic stereotypes

because of how many people always assume we are very strict on each other when in reality we

are not. In both articles, “Top 5 Catholic Stereotypes,” and the video “what it’s like Growing up

catholic,” they focus on the different stereotypes of Catholics with one being exaggerated and the

other one being more true. This is all done through the use of concrete examples, ethos, and

Logos.

The definition of stereotypes is “a preconceived notion, especially about a group of

people. Many stereotypes are racist, sexists, and homophobic” (Stereotype, n.d., p.1). Although,

based on what I understood from this definition of a stereotypes it is a person who has a certain
Running head:STEREOTYPES OF CATHOLICS 2

preliminary belief or habit of mind. It can even be someone within a particular group that has a

specific set of characteristics. In my opinion religion is one of the most stereotyped groups out of

all.

To begin with, in the article “Top 5 Catholic Stereotypes” it states many questions that

the author had been asked, some of which were stereotypes about Catholics. One of them being

about if we worship the Pope. To answer that we have to go in depth to see what it is the Pope

does and what it is the Pope is known for by Catholics and so on from there. Another point made

in this article is about how the author gave us a brief background story of herself and how she as

well is a Catholic. The article in general basically gives us the answers to questions and

examples of stereotypes that are true or not true. For instances, the author mentions the Bible in

order for her to give some answers and explanations to the stereotypes. She even puts in

examples from her past experiences and from other adults whom she knew, such as her mother.

Although, personally as a catholic I can relate too many of the questions and answers she gave

because of how I had to answer many questions asked by non-Catholics as well.

Furthermore, some of the strategies the author used to convey her argument to be true are

logos, concrete examples, and some ethos within the answers given. For example, one of her

concrete explanations states “ In the Bible, Matthew 16:19 Jesus says to peter, “​I will give you

the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven,

and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” With this, Jesus made Peter

the very first pope, and he was to carry out the wishes of the Lord here on earth.” (Yeary,

2017, p.1). Therefore, as catholic we do not worship the pope yet, we see him as a
Running head:STEREOTYPES OF CATHOLICS 3

spiritual adviser for us. I can also tell you how the author uses logos by taking the word

Christian and using it to prove the stereotype of “Catholics not being Christian” to be

wrong. The article even presents a bit of ethos strategy within the sense that the author

knows what she is talking about. What also helps is that I am as well a catholic and know

that her statements are true.

The other point of view taken is from the video called “What it's like Growing up

Catholic”. Personally, I believe that some of these facts are being exaggerated in order to

show some stereotypes people have. For example, the video states how all Catholics have

numerous books at hand including the Bible, yet, I do not have numerous books besides

the Bible. Another thing about the video is that the author as well talks a bit about

herself and shows us how she relates to what she is talking about. I personally can relate

to it quite well seeing how I too as a teen was in a youth group at church. Even though

the video is exaggerated a bit it still was entertaining to watch and information for

non-Catholic teens. Especially, since most teens think of church and religion as boring

or for old people. Also the video talks about different aspects of life we see when growing

up within a catholic family. For instance, your mom, aunt, or grandma having so many

religious decor in the house that you’re just like curious to want to know more. The

overall point of view of this video is to get teens and young adults to see that there is

more to Catholics then just it being boring and old.

Based on the information provided about the article and the video I can now

prove that the two are very different in discussing the Catholic stereotypes. Mainly,
Running head:STEREOTYPES OF CATHOLICS 4

because one of the articles talks towards adults and gives them very good explanations

to stereotypes that are or are not true. While, the video talks more towards teens and

how it would be like if they grew up Catholic. For example, the article states how

Catholics are supposedly heavy drinkers; yet, the author goes on to explain how that

stereotype is not true. The author says “It is true that during Holy Communion, the

blood of Jesus is derived from wine. Yes, real wine with real alcohol in it. And yes, we

Catholics really have been drinking it since second or third grade when we made our

first Holy Communion! But in all seriousness, this idea that all Catholics are heavy

drinkers is in fact another stereotype.”(Yeary, 2017, p.1). On the other hand, the video

gives right away whom it is spoken towards and what it is about. For instance, the title

“What it's like growing up Catholic” gives away how it is towards teens or young adults.

Even the fact that the author is a young adult and that the people in the video are teens

as well gives it away. The only similar thing to both of these is how they give stereotypes

and information needed not to make these stereotypes about Catholics.

To summarize, the point I am trying to get across is that both articles are

stereotyping Catholics. In the way that it sounds more like a question and answer type of

thing or a definition to how Catholics are. Although, both arguments made all tie back to

how we should not stereotype people based on a preliminary belief or habit of mind.
Running head:STEREOTYPES OF CATHOLICS 5

References

Trevino, N. (2016, July 30). What it's Like To Grow Up Catholic. Retrieved February 13, 2018,

from ​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ql1Zmz4UQwQ

Yeary, Y. (2017, August 27). Top 5 Catholic Stereotypes. Retrieved February 13, 2018, from

https://www.theodysseyonline.com/truth-about-catholics

Stereotype - Dictionary Definition. (n.d.). Retrieved February 17, 2018, from

https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/stereotype