Quix, the thing is that I really like to understand how people think -- that's why in "real life" I'm far more of a listener than a talker -- but I'm not getting a clear picture on these threads of the various Protestant beliefs. There are one or two exceptions of people putting forth a coherent account of what they actually believe (and I've had serious -- if brief -- discussions with them). From you, OTOH, well, I have a pretty clear idea of the eidolon you've constructed for yourself of Catholicism, but no real notion of what's central in your own belief, never mind of all that flows from it. Unless your whole belief system consists of "not Catholic is good enough for me!"
I've never even been acquainted with more than one or two practicing Protestants (a bigger number of those brought up Protestant). Similarly, I've met only a handful of practicing EOs (and those years ago) -- but I've gained a pretty good understanding (not complete, of course) and "feel for" the EO point of view from FR. I've known quite a few Jews, from totally secular to orthodox, and I have that kind of "feel for" Judaism. But my knowledge of modern Protestantism is totally from these threads -- and it strikes me (with the exceptions I mentioned) as a seething mass of hostility to the Catholic Church and not much else.
So what is your reality?
I pretty much agree with you.
It changes at the quarter hour.
This is too busy a day for a meaty response to that.
My home page has a lot of my perspective on it.
You could start there.