MG, I went through 16 years of Catholic education and never felt I was "essentially brainwashed from birth that they have to believe and act in ways that won't send them to hell." In my Catholic education, the emphasis was on "critical thinking" - the ability to think for myself. I was told is was an old tradition in Catholic education.

Many Catholics get religious education for one hour a week through eighth grade. I think it's those Catholics who end up with a simplistic, "do this or you'll go to hell" perspective. Most who went through Catholic High School seem to be more sophisticated.

-Joe-