Your education on Catholic teachings is woefully lacking, but it is not surprising as you are very secular in nature.
Very man made, as it were.
Interesting you have so strong views on faith.
You are right that I know little of Catholic teachings, as I am more focused on Christian beliefs. Right now, I'm trying to find information on the Council of Brega circa 561, though. My mode of thinking is more in line with the early Christians than the stuff like "Only Psalms can be sung in church" and "Priests who take a vow to abstain from meat must eat meat broth with vegetables or be considered heretics" and the like.
I have been learning more of Roman Catholicism, though I have to be careful not to base my views on those I meet here. When people say they'd keep Mrs. Schiavo's body alive "even if she wouldn't want it", I'm not sure what to believe...sounds a lot like the Muslim prevention on leaving that religion, too. In the latter case, they kill you against your will...in the former case, they would keep you alive against your will. Both make me sick.
Anyway, like I said, my thinking is more in line with the early Christians who thought little of this life and sought to be with their Lord and Maker. Every moment of delay in this world is a separation from God, so why should a woman wish to Commune with the other humans and Christ down here, when she could Commune with God in His Kingdom? That we've delayed her journey 7 years is cruelty enough.
Note, I am not saying I am anti-Catholic or any other Christian denomination.....nor am I saying I believe any of them...but you are off base to consider me "secular in nature."