Mundaka Upanishad says: ~ The Sages ignored these rituals and went in search of higher knowledge.+

By criticizing the religion, religious God, religious Gurus, and religious rituals, the wisdom will not dawn. The seeker has to realize that religion, religious God, religious Gurus, and religious rituals are not the means to acquire Self-knowledge. There is no need to indulge in criticizing the religion religious God, religious Gurus, and religious rituals, but there is a need to realize, That religion, religious Gods, and Gurus are meant to serve the ignorant populace. They are not the means to Self-realization. 

The religion religious God, religious Gurus, and religious rituals are nothing to do with the ultimate Truth or Brahman or God in truth. 

The religion, religious God, religious Gurus, and religious rituals are a great hindrance to realizing the truth, which is beyond the form, time, and space. 

Mundaka Upanishad says: ~ The rituals and the sacrifices described in the Vedas deal with lower knowledge. The sages ignored these rituals and went in search of higher knowledge. ... Such rituals are unsafe rafts for crossing the sea of samsara, of birth and death. Doomed to shipwreck are those who try to cross the sea of samsara on these poor rafts. Ignorant of their own ignorance, yet wise in their own esteem, these deluded men Proud of their vain learning go round and round like the blind led by the blind.

There is a need to drop the ignorance. Once the ignorance is dropped than one becomes aware of judging ‘what truth is, and what is untruth. 

It is impossible to find and realize the truth via religion and scriptural study. Even Upanishads confirm this. 

Katha Upanishad: ~ This Atman cannot be attained by the study of the Vedas, or by intelligence, nor by much hearing of sacred books. It is attained by him alone whom It chooses. To such a one Atman reveals Its own form. (Ch-II -23-P-20)

Mundaka Upanishad: ~ This Atman cannot be attained through study of the Vedas, nor through intelligence, nor through much learning. He who chooses Atman—by him alone is Atman attained. It is Atman that reveals to the seeker Its true nature. ( 3 –page-70 ) 

When the Upanishad says: that the human goal is to acquire Self-Knowledge and they indicate the personal Gods, scriptures, worship, and rituals are not the means to Self –Knowledge, then why anyone should indulge in it. 

Religion, the concept of a personal God, and scriptures are the greatest obstacle to realizing non-dual truth or Self-realization because they are based on a false self. 

The seeker of truth has to search for the ultimate truth without losing himself in the labyrinths of philosophy, through deeper, inquiry, analysis, and reasoning, and assimilate and realize it. 

That is why Sage Sankara, indicated in Bhaja Govindam says: ~ (Jnana Viheena Sarva Mathena Bajathi na Muktim janma Shatena) - One without knowledge does not obtain liberation even in a hundred births, no matter which religious faith he follows. 

Then it is no use going roundabout way, trace the Brahman which is the formless substance and witness of the universe, which is in the form of mind. By tracing the source of the mind or the universe one will be able to realize the Brahman. 

Thus, Self-knowledge is meant only for those who have an intense urge, and courage to accept the truth with humility and reject the untruth. 

Since people start comparing their scriptural knowledge, it becomes impossible to assimilate and realize the non-dual truth. Therefore, there is no need to convince anyone other than our own selves to get a firm conviction. 

So they clearly indicate rituals and theories are not meant for those who are searching for higher knowledge or wisdom. The path of wisdom is the only means.:~Santthosh Kumaar