Both Mum and Dad were converts to Catholicism, and normally if you convert to Catholicism you have thought about it more than someone who just grew up with it, taking it for granted.

The quote "Both Mum and Dad were converts to Catholicism, and normally if you convert to Catholicism you have thought about it more than someone who just grew up with it, taking it for granted" by Tony Abbott, an Australian politician, reflects on the deeper level of commitment and thought involved in converting to a faith. Abbott points out that individuals who choose to convert to a religion, in this case Catholicism, usually do so after careful consideration and reflection, whereas those who are born into the faith may not always appreciate its significance or deeply understand its principles.

Abbott is highlighting the difference between someone who embraces a faith voluntarily and someone who is born into it. Converts, he suggests, often arrive at their faith with a more deliberate and personal choice, having weighed the decision and thought about its meaning. In contrast, people raised in the religion might take their faith for granted, not fully engaging with the spiritual and doctrinal aspects because they have always known it.

The origin of this quote reflects Abbott's personal experience, having been raised by parents who were converts to Catholicism. This context provides insight into how his family’s conversion shaped his understanding of religion and faith. Abbott’s perspective suggests a certain respect for those who consciously choose a faith, as they are more likely to have a deep and intentional relationship with it.

Ultimately, Abbott’s quote offers a view on the difference between inherited belief and chosen belief. It implies that conscious conversion often leads to a more profound and thoughtful engagement with one's faith, something that can be absent for those who have always been part of it.