Rejection of rituals

Revolt against formalism
Revolt against ritualism
Anti-ritualism

Nature

There is a widespread explicit rejection of rituals. This takes the form of denunciation not only of irrelevant rituals but of ritualism as such, exaltation of the inner experience and denigration of its standardized expressions, preference for intuitive and instant forms of knowledge, rejection of mediating institutions, and rejection of any tendency to allow habit to provide the basis of a new symbolic system. In its extreme forms anti-ritualism is an attempt to abolish communication by means of complex symbolic systems.

Claim

The attack on ritual ranges between the abandonment of ritual behaviour to the extinction of ritual thinking. Often it is expressed midway between the two: on language. Speech conventions embody the entire spectrum of ritual conditioning, such as obedience to authority, instantaneous execution of commands received, and 'proper' responses to diverse stimuli. These conventions include titles of courtesy or honour, expressions of mechanical politeness and consideration of others, and 'proper' grammar and acceptable standards of pronunciation. In addition, certain words are taboo or not socially accepted as conveying adequate meaning. Therefore ritual language is being rejected to remove the conditioning effect. This is very noticeable in modern cinema and popular music.

Counter-claim

The rejection of rituals is a trivial concern in today's fast-paced world. People are increasingly focused on personal growth and authentic experiences rather than adhering to outdated traditions. Rituals often serve as mere social constructs, and their decline reflects a positive shift towards individualism and critical thinking. Instead of lamenting their loss, we should celebrate the freedom to create our own meaningful practices, fostering genuine connections and personal fulfillment without the constraints of ritualistic expectations.