Well, you are not automatically a Catholic, but you are baptized at a few days of age. Someone sprinkles holy water on you and says some words and you are Catholic. You can decide later on you would rather be a Hindu, or an atheist, or a Mormon, but you are branded a Catholic forever and ever. It is not inherited though...you have to be baptized. I don't buy this you are totally free to choose your religion. That is a fairly new concept. It's a good one, to be sure..be what you want, but respect those who are in the older traditions. mg