In some of these things, I think Catholics (or former Catholics) may resonate more with what you are saying than non-Catholic Christians might. While there isn't quite as long a history of being outcast, there is some of that history, especially in the United States.

As for the "familiar," familiar ritual is often welcoming in some way, even if you don't agree with all of it. It's like a mostly warm quilt with a few holes in it. It's likely you remember the holes, and are still annoyed by then, but the rest of it is still comfortable.

(And, yes, I have been reading these posts - both so far, and I'm looking forward to the rest.)