In Reply to: explains a lot posted by Miguel on August 12, 2004 at 14:14:35:
I think that's often the case with major religions to where the get hooked on the ritual even more than the results, particularly if they are no longer that interested in the actual end results, but simply want the outward show of being "religious." I'm thinking of Jesus' admonition against praying long, repetitive prayers, simply for an outward show, but who don't get a lot of results and probably really don't care any longer.
That's one piece of the pie. I'm sure there are many that like both aspects.
I definitely agree with Carol that speaking in tongues is often reduced to a ritual. Especially since the motivation of many in the first place was to be accepted as "Spirit-filled" and one of the "spiritual elite." So tongues was sought and (supposedly) obtained as a badge of acceptance and self-esteem, and results were entirely secondary.