why theravada?

[delf7]

as i was first becoming interested in buddhism several months ago, i was attracted to theravada because of the fact that it uses as it's basis the oldest documented words of the buddha, in more or less thier original state. also, it seemed less like a "religion", with it's lack of alot of gods & goddess' and rites & rituals, than alot of the mahayana schools i had read about.
but i am just a beginner, and you all have probably done more looking into all the different "schools" of buddhism than i have. so what i am curious about is this ; out of all the different schools under the buddhist umbrella, why did you decide that the theravada school was the right one for you ?
the more i look into other "types" of buddhism, they all have alot of good points and different ways of looking at things.
so what is it about theravada that caused you to follow this path?
thank you all for your insight.
metta,
delf

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