"Romantic comedy is the next form of organized religion".
-David Grois

Good point, Dave. The first rule of an organized religion is that you accept that your fate is not your own. You must accept your place in the "grand order" of things. Every romantic comedy that I've seen has made the point that true love is determined by fate. You have no control over your emotions, the person that you love is chosen for you.

The second rule of any organized religion is that it gives it's followers hope for something better. Who hasn't had their heart ripped out of their chest and stomped on like a mexican somberro? Who wouldn't love to entertain the idea (for at least 2 hours) that all of that was just a fluke, and their one "true love" is waiting for them?

Here's another point. The makers of romantic comedy want us to believe that the love of our lives will be exactly like us. By some magical, cosmic coincidence we will bump into someone in the supermarket and see that their shopping cart is loaded with chef boyardee ravioli (our favorite! It must be love!).

Dave and I have officially declared a new religion. I'll call it the church of Meg Ryan/Tom Hanks. All who do not believe will be forced to watch PBS documentaries for eternity.