I realize that by faith in Christ I will please him and hopefully attain heaven. But the sacraments keep me focused on the path. If it helps me, why belittle it? If it a way for me to find my way to the Lord why does it bother anybody?
Christ paid the full price for our salvation Dick. It's not something we "attain". It's not something we "do". It's something that was done for us. We don't do something to please Him to "attain" salvation. We things to please Him "because" of His free gift of salvation.
>>But the sacraments keep me focused on the path. If it helps me, why belittle it?<<
Because those "sacraments" are constructed by the Catholic Church with the idea of "attaining" salvation. The Catholic Church says that the people "merit" grace by performing rituals. That is totally contrary to scripture. Grace is NOT something we "merit", it's a free gift from God with no sense of "deserving" on our part. Paul said:
Romans 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
The "sacraments" are works by man as the Catholic Church has portrayed them in order to "merit" grace. The word "merit" means something is owed. If it's owed to man then it is no more grace.
>>If it a way for me to find my way to the Lord why does it bother anybody?<<
For the very reason I just explained. If people think they do something to "merit" grace or salvation it is no longer grace. Men do not "merit" grace or salvation. It is a free gift of God. There are no intermediaries or "vicars" of Christ on earth.
Put Christ first and foremost with no ideas of "merit" or "rituals" that somehow help you "attain" salvation. Put your faith in Christ and not some actions on your part. On your knees in private go before the throne of God in Jesus name and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you.