entation of individuals (secular liberal politicians) in high places who tend to ignore Catholicism and other religious issues, but the faith in the population remains. Now to my third research question, How has Americas rapid social change and culture affected Catholicism. Carlin Suggests For better or for worse the U.S has always been and likely will be nation of incorrigible religious pluralism. Which is a society that recognises more than one religious principle. For a long time American Catholics stood outside the circle of general tolerance towards other denominations, insisting it was the one true church. Catholics lived in ghettos and believed salvation only came through their religion. However as a result of Vatican 2 in 1960s Catholicism witnessed great cultural change. From the council emerged denominational tolerance and the disappearance of these ghettos. Their was a lot more freedom in Catholicism, instead of we are the only way to salvation came we are one of the ways to salvation. This new open mindedness in the catholic church appealed to Catholics and drew new membership. Catholicism before the council was not so stable, the church appeared to be solid rooted and unchanged :fish on Friday; mass on Sunday in Latin etc. But then almost over night it was all right to eat meat on Friday, Mass was said in English with the priest facing the people etc. Greeley states Catholicism in America is more healthy and alive today than it was before Vatican 2.America is a society engulfed in a culture of the American Dream, in pursuit of the almighty dollar. Reeves states We are consumed by our jobs and endless pursuit of the power, cash, status and the pleasure of promise personal fulfilment and happiness we therefore go about our lives pretty much the same as those who have no faith at all. One could speculate as to how Catholicism could survive in an age of materialism and consumerism. But this speculation is false for Catholicism ...
