do they not teach this sort of stuff in history class?

Not that I remember, but who knows.

I didn't realize that Catholics really thought that it was body and blood until I watched Tales of the City.

Heh. Ew.

I got a quick gloss in high school history class, but much more in-depth doing reading on my own.

I don't remember ever not knowing about transubstantiation. Not that I ever understood it, then or now, but the not understanding was always part of it for me. It's a capital-M Mystery. Knowing the bare facts of the doctrine, though--that was always there.

I can't remember if I ever had a European history class, much less what was taught in it.

I was the world's worst history (and general humanities student), and I managed to have to learn about Martin Luther (until then, I thought they meant Martin Luther King Jr--only one guy came up in discussion at home) and transubstantiation somehow.

Still don't know crap about American history, though. Or, really, anything that happened post 1850.

man, ita, I want to call her up on your behalf.

her: "oh, I got your emails."
me: "interesting. since nothing had been done, I assumed you had not. Perhaps your business email is used for another purpose. What is the method of communication with this office that I should use if I actually want to get a response that will result in my having my medication? Perhaps there is an office manager? or a direct way line to the dr.? I certainly do not want to waste any more of your time if you are not the person who can get this done."

Yeah, I'm pretty sure I learned Martin Luther in my high school world history class (which was really eurociv, but was a great class). We went up to the assassination of Frans Ferdinand and then stopped.

And I have to say that all the "ew" and "Really really?" reactions here, and the total hideous ignorance on the Pew quiz, are weirdly cracking me up. It's such a central part of my identity and my messy love for the Church and my grim determination to hold on despite the rampant asshattery in the hierarchy, that it just makes me feel like an utter and complete freak even among all y'all and most definitely compared to the world at large.

My Ew was about Tales of the City, where a cult is taking amputated parts from the hospital and using them for communion. Not about transubstantiation, FTR.

it just makes me feel like an utter and complete freak even among all y'all

Yeah, but we love you for it.

Having been honked at by more than one driver for coming to a complete stop at a stop sign,

Ahhh, Massachusetts, where red lights and stop signs are suggestions, rather than laws.

and flipped off by someone going the wrong way down a one way street, I hold no fondness for MA drivers whatsoever.

A not-so-rare sighting of the MA state bird.