tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13522238.post1379851797573896573..comments2024-03-14T11:50:14.761-04:00Comments on DarwinCatholic: The International Religious Climate, from the groundDarwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08572976822786862149noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13522238.post-38536810717309955192011-02-08T18:15:35.911-05:002011-02-08T18:15:35.911-05:00Thanks for pointing this out. I've been checki...Thanks for pointing this out. I've been checking in periodically to read new comments. The entries from Europe makes me the saddest, but I have to remember that the Church in Europe has been through tougher times than this (Fall of Rome). Perhaps we will be hanging on through a new type of Dark Age. <br /><br />I didn't realize how lucky I had it here in the MD suburbs of DC. The parishes are full, and ours has a number of large families. I'd say 3 is the average, but there are a few 6 kid families. One of the most striking differences I've observed from here and TX where I grew up, is the number of people with no religion and no religious education. I don't remember meeting anyone growing up who was nothing, even among the barely practicing. <br /><br />I don't usually bring up religious topics with people I don't know or in business situations. But if the conversation comes up I try to jump in more than I used to. Usually people are polite and curious, eager to talk about it sometimes. Once a woman I work with periodically said something mildly anti-catholic. She came up to me later and apologized, which I thought was very nice and civil. <br /><br />It's much harder to come out as a conservative and/or Republican here than a Catholic. Then I might not be invited to the block parties anymore.Mrs. Zummonoreply@blogger.com