I feel I should point out in the interests of fairness that what ViLaLuz said regarding “reading the Bible on your own” is actually quite common among “older” Catholics. My grandmother, for example recently told me how she was told to not read the Bible on her own, as it might lead her to error. One can go to many “older” Catholics (people over say 60, who were/are cradle Catholics) and ask them if they were told this, I’d be willing to wager they were.
What one must realize is that before Vatican II this was the norm, really, as even to associate with Protestants was considered “sinful”. Many, including myself, like to criticize the reforms made in Vatican II (and with good reason, sometimes, I believe, don’t get me wrong, it was taken too far to the “left” so to speak), but there were some solidly good things done in that Council, namely the re-emphasis of Scripture as important in daily life. “Ignorance of the Scriptures is Ignorance of Christ.”, as the venerable St. Jerome is quoted as saying in our most recent Catechism.
All of this said, anyone reading this post right now must realize it was TECHNICALLY, never really official Church teaching to discourage people from reading the Bible on their own, but in practice, before Vatican II, it was very common to do so. So we should focus on what is being taught today, and not dwell on the mistakes of many men (not the Church, but men IN the Church) in the past.
Now, today Catholics in every parish are encouraged to read Scripture, reflect on it, and ask their local priest for instruction should questions arise. (which really isn’t THAT much different than the “Catholicism of our grandparents” if one really thinks about it)
I think some of what was going on is also common to every denomination (and I bet it's common with non-Christian beliefs as well). When you're teaching the little kids (or even the medium-sized kids), you tend to simplify difficult questions and short-cut a lot of stuff. First-graders are not going to care about (or be able to digest) explanations of the Hypostatic Union or for that matter Biblical Inerrancy or Predestination.
If somebody falls away in high school or college (hey - I did!) but returns to another church (in whichever direction), and all they remember is the simplified-for-kids version of the Church's teachings that they learned in Sunday School or CCD, then they are comparing apples and oranges.
“I feel I should point out in the interests of fairness that what ViLaLuz said regarding “reading the Bible on your own” is actually quite common among “older” Catholics.”
I’m not that old, only 50—although to some that is OLD :), but what you describe was my experience up until I was kicked out in the 70s.
I can’t argue against people reading the Bible, because that is the right thing to do. The Holy Spirit is strong enough to ensure the Truth shines through to the body of Christ. Sometimes it takes a while for those of us who are slow, but as the Lord says, even a child can comprehend salvation. In fact I’ve seen that with my own eyes.