The concept and development of individual liberty was a whole lot more complex than "Catholics nay, Protestants yea". It has roots in Protestant ideas, and Catholic ideas, and causes some trouble with traditional ideas in both camps. There's a reason why many of the Founding Fathers weren't very orthodox Christians.
England at the height of the Reformation -- whether under Mary, Elizabeth, or James -- was not a very free country.
Never said it wasn't. The point that doesn't get made enough is there was a basis for fearing the RC's and the RCC. If RC posters want to start with the "everybody is picking on me" nonsense then we should look at why there was a fear.