Thank you, married21. It is indeed refreshing to hear that. It would be nice to hear the other FReeper Catholics say that as well. However many will NOT, and in fact call Protestants heretics.
You said, "we just don’t presume to outline a way for God to do that. It would be up to his mercy, and less likely, given the number of directions in which people could stray. (Like trying to learn to cook without someone helping you or providing a cookbook)."
Oh but, my FRiend, we Protestants DO have God's outline and directions.... it's called the Holy Bible. Why would we be less likely to be able to understand God's word and to follow it than you are?
Do you not see that you are participating in that "inter-faith antagonism" that you spoke of? But I do understand why you said what you said about we Protestants being without proper direction, because that's what men in your church has taught for centuries. To be honest, there are people in Protestant churches teaching that Catholics are the devil incarnate. But trust me, we are not all so ignorant as to believe that.
I have expressed this before here and I'll say it again....... faith is a personal relationship between a person and God and only God can know what is really in someone's heart. We can make a good guess because we see what someone professes and we see the fruits of their labors. I see testimonies and fruits in both Catholic and Protestants. I think perhaps you do too (witness your opening sentence). So mess it up by adding something to the effect that "but you Protestants will have a really hard time finding salvation".
EsPECIALLY that DAMNED Luther!