We need to admit (confess?):

1) many Catholics demanding religious freedom don't value (they even disdain) that concept within their own religion, ergo they bring to the debate minimal credibility and no track record. 

2) When you can define policy in terms of virtue vs. sin--and you tell your followers they are "morally bound" by your assessment--you have a huge advantage in the marketplace.

3) There is a Catholic Amnesia that insults our ancestors who not long ago were told by "good Americans" that THEIR religion was evil, un-American, a cult, disloyal to the flag, beholden to a foreign leader in Italy. They were the Muslims of their time--told to take their beads, idolatry, and Latin and go back where they belong.  "No Catholics Need Apply" was seen as sound, pro-American public policy. They were beginning to infect our traditions and our WASP heritage with  weird and dangerous ways. They were called un-American by  fellow citizens. We called them grandma and grandpa.