Horse A Piece? Here Comes Everybody?

Richard Jon Neuhaus writing in the book Catholic Matters:

There is much in what is called the religious culture of America that runs counter to the Catholic way of being Christian. America continues to be in important ways a very Protestant society. American Individualism, which is no doubt a source of economic and other strengths, turns religion, too, into a matter of consumer choice and spiritual marketing.

As a result, the church (lower case) is understood in terms that are organizational rather than organic. One's church is an association of the like-minded rather than the Mystical Body of Christ gathered in wondrously catholic diversity by the Real Presence.

For the Catholic, the "pilgrim Church on earth" is a distinct society of primary allegiance. For the Protestant, one's church is an associational choice based on preferences in morality, teaching, leadership style, or aesthetic taste.

For the Protestant, one's church is chosen; the Catholic belongs to the Church because he is among the chosen.