[MeanWestTexan]

I don't think it is propaganda.

I am not Roman Catholic (Jewish, in fact).

Roman Catholicism, like Judaism, is not only a religion, but is also a social identity.

Ergo, a cradle Roman Catholic may never go to mass and may or may not think one second about G-d and may completley think the Pope is an idiot, but still calls themselves "Roman Catholic" (witness: Nancy Pelosi, John Kerry, Ted Kennedy).

Same with self-described Jewish people --- may not go to Shul, ignore all the holidays and Law, never not worked on Shabbos, but still call themselves "Jewish." (witness Ruth Bader Ginsburg who, first thing at the Supreme Court, hammered up her Mezuzah case (goes on the door) and didn't know it was supposed to have the Shema scroll inside it.)

Protestant religions, in contrast, are just religions. When they become apostate, they call themselves "atheist" or "agnostic."

Was that clear?

[Lera]

*ding ding ding * we have a winner here

[Wallace T.]

Protestant is perhaps less of a cultural identity because many evangelicals, especially Baptists, charismatics, and members of the Church of Christ, do not perceive of themselves as Protestants even though they share the particular points of opposition to Catholicism that Lutherans and Reformed Christians do (sola Scriptura vs. the Magisterium; the absence of apostolic succession or of a priesthood set apart from the laity; salvation through faith alone through grace alone rather than through a cooperative and continuing process of man with God, etc.). However, certain cultural traits, such as more restrained and less emotive behavior, the work ethic, and deferral of short term gratification, are seen as Protestant even though their association with Reformation theology vs. Catholic theology is at best tenuous. These traits are more likely typically Northern European vs. Mediterranean. Nevertheless, many descendants of British colonial settlers consider themselves to be Protestant even though they are really religiously indifferent or belong to groups like the Unitarians.

[yongin]

You are spot on in your post #60.

Many people like Italians, Irish, Latinos, and Filipinos see the Roman Catholic Church as a part of their ethnic heritage. They observe Lent, not as a religious duty, but as a exercise in cultural indulgence.

The same applies to Hindus and Muslims. I know many secular Muslims who drink beer and gamble. Yet they observe the fasting of Ramada to celebrate their cultural heritage.

This is also why some public schools could get away with offering Muslim students prayer rooms and teach about Islam in social studies. According to the ACLU, its teaching about cultural awareness, not religion.