Hollow or rigid practices

This page is part of “Problems with Religions and Spiritual Traditions”.

Rituals can become rote and hollow, performed out of automatic habit and adherence to tradition rather than meaningful engagement. They can also be coercively imposed rather than freely chosen, stripping them of their transformative potential. Even for believers in a religion, the attitude towards the practices may become strict and rigid, stifling self-inquiry, free thinking, and innovation.

Also rites of passage can be imposed on someone regardless of whether they fit that person’s actual experience or beliefs. What should affirm a life transition can instead feel coercive or alienating.