Man prefers religious rituals over relationship because rituals are much less costly. We can perform them and go on with whatever we want to do. That is why so many religions are built around them. Even denominations fall into that pattern.

But real freedom is found in an intimate relationship with Jesus. It is freedom from the rituals of the Law and methods and routines that don't have any effect on our relationship with God. We were created for intimacy with God, and that is the only place we find true freedom.