[Conservative til I die]

In fact I never encountered ANY Catholics who (as far as I could tell), had a real, personal, life-transforming walk with Christ

The reason for this is your worldview. It's not just theology that separates us Catholics from you Protestants. It's also how we experience our religion, the words we use, the way we sing and pray, etc.

A Catholic is much likely to view Jesus as this kind of half-buddy, half-guru type of guy. To me, He's the Majestic Christ, Alpha and Omega. Talking about Him like He's my pal Al gives me the heebie-jeebies.

But it doesn't make my faith any less significant. Just different than yours.

[Rytwyng]

In fact I never encountered ANY Catholics who (as far as I could tell), had a real, personal, life-transforming walk with Christ>

The reason for this is your worldview.

No, the reason is that at that time of my life I did not, in fact, know any.

Please note the PAST TENSE in my statement..."encountered"... I was referring to a certain time of my life. Since then I have indeed encountered Catholics with a real Christian walk.