Reversing Roles

Today I was contemplating something that I find very strange. When I was a Protestant, we were in what would probably be considered by most as an evangelical, fundamentalist denomination. Evangelism was something pushed heavily on everyone regardless of gifts, talents, or other good works that people might be doing. In some ways, this is good, it is our duty to defend the Faith. In other ways, people do have different roles and skills that they can put to use in different ways for God.

Now for the paradox. As an evangelical, I was very uncomfortable (to say the least) in talking about or defending my faith from others. It wasn't that I didn't do it (although I did avoid it from time to time), but it was that I was very uncomfortable about it. Now that I've converted to Catholicism (who most would say do a very bad job about evangelism, sharing our faith, etc. at least at the individual parishioner level) I am completely comfortable with my Faith and share it with everyone, answering their questions, and spreading it to others that I meet. I wonder why that is? It's obviously no more socially acceptable (at least here) to be Catholic than it is to be CoC. I think it has to do with the consistency of our Faith and length of time that our beliefs have been around. Perhaps when I was Protestant, I was somewhat put off when I couldn't answer a question, or had to take time to shape it into the theology that I had. I don't feel that pressure anymore, and it's wonderful!