I am not addicted to ritual practices. I don't go out to offend rituals either.

I learned that Rituals (rites, protocols, ceremonies, courtesy, ...) are parts of cultures (or expressions of civilization). People have their ways of bringing in 'togetherness'; belonging to the same group by doing the same things; relaxing in acceotable/usual/common atmosphere/environment of "like minded"; ...

I also learned that rituals become tradition and powertools in social networks (used) in conjunction with "Laws/Justice/Power/Control/Money...". As tradition, when something don't go as (people) expected, they are at odds/in error/exceptions/... raising curiosity/suspicion/caution and prejudicial/differentiative/emotional reactions. Even scientists know and love "regularity" and curse "irregularity". Not all of us would look and learn from oddity.  As tool, when a group of people come together to perform 'same' routines, they become more united, synchronized, and more uniformed (mentally) (like soldier drills).

And lately I have learned that thinking out of the box means looking at many many different boxes and thinking with some acceptable links to those boxes or my thought will be a distant star -- shining brightly only in my dream. -- obscure/disjoint to all others' eyes.

I still find it very difficult to rationalize 'money making or commercial rituals and rites'. (The differences between "a money box in the corner" or passive charity and "door-to-door collection" are very much in the purpose and urgency for such methods.) I would participate in rituals to reach a higher goal. I would even make up a ritual if I believe the ritual can build a good habit in a group and cohere members for a higher goal. Enough to say that rituals are tools. Tools are used by both sides -- good and bad.

You and I know, we have many problems before we can achieve a true 'knowledge and good society'. Many problems can be solved with technological approaches. Many problems can be solved with cultural approaches. Techological approaches are usually based on high money, high knowledge and high energy (pollution). Cultural approaches are based on high (people) participation, low knowledge and low energy (dissipation). We can choose and use solutions that best fitted the expected outcome.

(Jees, I am really raving in my old age ;-)