American Catholicism is very, very strongly influenced by Protestantism.
And, oddly, Catholic theology has a very outsized role in public policy - even more so in the 1930s to 1980:
Natural law played a big role American attitudes and policies on human rights, Catholic Worker movement had a very large role in unionization and left wing through, opposition to Communism, etc.
Even now phrases like “social justice” and “just war” are phrases taken from Catholic theology.
I’ve even heard the phrase “Jewish x using Catholic theology for Protests y” in a number of different situations: “Jewish professors teaching Catholic theology to Protestant students” or “Jewish judges interpreting Catholic theology for Protestant claimants.”
And, oddly, Catholic theology has a very outsized role in public policy - even more so in the 1930s to 1980:
Natural law played a big role American attitudes and policies on human rights, Catholic Worker movement had a very large role in unionization and left wing through, opposition to Communism, etc.
Even now phrases like “social justice” and “just war” are phrases taken from Catholic theology.
I’ve even heard the phrase “Jewish x using Catholic theology for Protests y” in a number of different situations: “Jewish professors teaching Catholic theology to Protestant students” or “Jewish judges interpreting Catholic theology for Protestant claimants.”