Jo.
    you say;
Why should anyone question or ridicule whatever is sacred and meaningful to me, if it does nobody harm? At the very least, isn't it rude and unkind to question or ridicule what I hold sacred?

I'm not ridiculing you or anyone else, I'm just interested in people's reasons for needing or wanting to worshiping in public in places of worship,which after all are man made buildings, surely Your God would listen to you where ever you chose to worship, particularly if it was heart felt, rather then following in parrot fashion and often repetitive(weekly) a service that takes place in a place of worship. And yes OK it's not harming anyone.