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Thank you for sharing your insights and testimony, dear mgist!

I have lived in different countries and traveled fairly extensively. I have NEVER seen the anti-Catholic hate or simple rhetoric that exsists in this country. For those that argue otherwise, simple google search Pope-devil, will show you. Scary people out there.

In any case, what I find amazing is that this anymosity is almost identical to that of the hate-America crowd in the world. It also ranges from benign to scary, and it is identical in so many ways.

By comparison, how many countries out there have Protestant roots?

Here is interesting source on Primary Source Documents pertaining to early American history. The Protestant influence is unmistakable.

Among them, The New England Primer is most telling. Not only for the founders but for most of our history as a country, it was the primary schoolbook and it included the Westminster Catechism. Students were required to memorize it. First published around 1690, the New England Primer has been republished as recently as 1996 for homeschoolers.

Here is the text of the 1843 edition. In particular, note the section on the "Burning of Mr. John Rogers" which says in part:

MR. JOHN ROGERS, minister of the gospel in London, was the first martyr in Queen Mary's reign; and was burnt at Smithfield, February the fourteenth, 1554. His wife, with nine small children, and one at her breast, followed him to the stake, with which sorrowful sight he was not in the least daunted, but with wonderful patience died courageously for the gospel of JESUS CHRIST.

p. 25

A few days before his death, he wrote the following advice to his children:--

Abhor that arrant whore of Rome, And all her blasphemies, And drink not of her cursed cup; Obey not her decrees...

IMHO, it takes a very long time for a people to recover from perceived wrongs especially when it has been educated not to forget. Some Southerners today still resent the "war of Northern aggression" - some Orthodox still resent the Vatican seizing their beloved icons - and some Protestants still resent the persecution of their forebears.

You also said:

Let's pray for God's enlightenment, and mercy. May God bless this country, protect us from our enemies, and help our leaders.

I join in your prayer.

To God be the glory!

Rats, I forgot to mention a current politically relevant example of children being educated not to forget a perceived wrong: Black Liberation Theology (Rev. Wright et al)

Here is interesting source on Primary Source Documents pertaining to early American history. The Protestant influence is unmistakable.

Among them, The New England Primer is most telling. Not only for the founders but for most of our history as a country, it was the primary schoolbook and it included the Westminster Catechism. Students were required to memorize it. First published around 1690, the New England Primer has been republished as recently as 1996 for homeschoolers.

Amazing! When our children were small we read to them from the Westminster Shorter Catechism which was intended for children as well as adults. I can't imagine any Christian denomination not finding comfort in its words...

Q. 1. What is the chief end of man?
A. Man's chief end is to glorify God,[1] and to enjoy him forever.[2]

Here is the text of the 1843 edition. In particular, note the section on the "Burning of Mr. John Rogers" which says in part:

MR. JOHN ROGERS, minister of the gospel in London, was the first martyr in Queen Mary's reign; and was burnt at Smithfield, February the fourteenth, 1554. His wife, with nine small children, and one at her breast, followed him to the stake, with which sorrowful sight he was not in the least daunted, but with wonderful patience died courageously for the gospel of JESUS CHRIST.

My husband and I were just watching a TV show about the early Christian martyrs under Nero. It is astounding to realize these men and women faced such terrible deaths with total confidence in their salvation by Christ. How could Christianity not be true if so many died so willingly for the glory of Christ risen? How could such a meager minority grow to take over the entire world with the Good News of Christ risen if it were not God's will?

To God be the glory!