I would agree very strongly with your statement, as edited; I would only say that it's not an alternative explanation to aggressive prosetylization, but is fully complementary with it. Further, I'd say there's a frequent attitude among many Protestants that attacks on Christianity are fine, so long as the Catholic Church is the focal point (case in point: The Da Vinci Code).
Much of the agressive evangelization has a measure of success precisely because Catholic instruction is so poor. Not only do former Catholics accept Protestants' slanders against the church because they are too ignorant to know the truth ("Hey, I guess REAL Catholics DO worship Mary... my aunt had statues in her home, and was always kneeling before the statue of Mary at church!"), but Protestants also even miseducate Catholics. For instance:
Protestants so often insist that Catholics believe works are neccesary to attain salvation, that many Catholics are starting to believe it. That's one reason I recommend "the Soul of the Apostolate" as a book for spiritual guidance, because it exposes so completely the dreadful consequences of trying to work your way into Heaven.
You will NOT hear Catholics state "sola fidelis" for two reasons:
1. What the Catholic Church criticized Luther's movement for is something now disavowed by most Lutheran groups: that sin, even unrepentant sinhas no consequences, so long as the sinner has faith in God.
2. That faith is a product of grace, and instruments of receiving grace, such as the sacraments, are effective.
But no insignificant number of Catholics actually believe it when Protestants tell them the Catholic Church believes that works are necessary for salvation, in spite of the bible, and authors such as St. Therese Lisieux, St. Maximilian Kolbe, Jean-Beaptist Chautard, St. Francis, etc.
Then it's not really my statement, is it? ;)
Further, I'd say there's a frequent attitude among many Protestants that attacks on Christianity are fine, so long as the Catholic Church is the focal point (case in point: The Da Vinci Code).
I'd say that any 'Protestant' who said the Da Vinci Code was a good thing because it supposedly attacked the Catholic Church is merely a 'go to church on Sunday like a social club' kind of person. The Catholic Church has its share of these individuals as well.
. . .but Protestants also even miseducate Catholics.
I wasn't aware it was the job of Protestants to educate Catholics at all. I would think it would be the job of the Catholic Church to educate its members.
Protestants so often insist that Catholics believe works are neccesary to attain salvation, that many Catholics are starting to believe it.
So works aren't necessary, and we are saved by faith alone?