We are not possessed by evil spirits. We are possessed by our possessions. The more we have, the more we think about what we have. Note Jesus’ attempted exorcism of the rich young ruler, whom he loved. It didn’t work.
When Hollywood goes to the beach, we get Jaws. When it goes to church, we get exorcism. But sharks are innocent, and we are not possessed by evil spirits. We are possessed by our own minds, by the thoughts we think. Worry is possession.
As near as I can tell, we don’t need them. A ritual is the imposition of the past upon the present. We pacify ourselves by doing today what we did yesterday.
Habits are rituals. OCD is ritualism run amok.
The God I thank, negotiate with, rail against, sacrifice to or seek forgiveness from is not God.
What does it mean, to worship other gods? It means to look for our good outside of ourselves.
Men's Work 