You don't need the ID that often here, either. You need it in conjunction with certain official acts or legal requirements, be it for openng a bank account or voting.
I only had to show my ID to the police three times in my life. Two times as accompanying ID for the driving licence, and once when I accidentally drove my bike into a locked down high security area through a little known shortcut...

Being catholic, I never heard bigger bullshit in my life. Is that an American thing?