As religion continues to dominate the news, politics and society in general, more and more laypeople are looking for a reliable guide to understanding the beliefs and practices of each faith.<br><br>The Roman Catholic Church-the largest branch of Christianity-claims a total of 1.086 billion baptized members around the globe and has been revered by millions of followers for thousands of years. Why? <br><br>The Catholicism Answer Book answers 300 pivotal questions about one of the world's oldest religions. From the basic tenets of Christianity to the differences between a Catholic Bible and a Protestant Bible, readers can round out their knowledge on such inquiries as:<br><br>--What are the "lost" or "missing" books of the Bible?<br>--Why does it seem like Catholics worship Mary?<br>--What are the Last Things?<br>--Why confess to a priest when I can go directly to God?