Reply #14: To be fair, it cut both ways.

[Matilda]

I remember when I was growing up, there was still deep suspicion
on both sides of the divide.

I was raised Protestant, and there were three Catholic children in
our street, two of whom were not allowed to play with the rest
of us, because we were Proddies. It was very sad, because we'd see
them looking out their windows as we played together, but when
we'd go over and ask if they could come out and play, they'd just
shake their heads. The third girl probably had the most devout
mother of them all, but she was completely open and friendly to
everyone. In fact, she taught us quite a lot about what Catholics
believe, and I think it helped me to develop a more accepting
attitude than my parents had.

And yes, as a Methodist I studied the bible - did scripture exams
on it - and learned to sing a lot of hymns. I felt as I grew older
that I lacked the personal relationship with God that my Catholic
friend had, because I didn't really know how to pray. I was only
taught two prayers, the Our Father and Grace, and that was one of
the things that prompted me to start investigating the Catholic
Church.