[xdissent]

Absolutely no offense intended, but doesn't your worldview (and the perceived benefits) stand alone, whether or not a God exists? I guess my question is, how do you rationalize the ritual if it has little bearing on the outcome?

[marczellm]

I simply figured that the Church might know more than I do, given that my personality is still forming.

I should maybe mention that by embedded worldview, I meant more like little seeds. By no means do I have a complete ethical, philosophical, moral system which explains EVERYTHING in the universe. I think philosophy is the job of philosophers, theology the job of theologists, etc. But Catholic teachings were a very logical next step from the way I feel about certain things.