--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think institutions will inevitably…" description: "\"I think institutions will inevitably substitute a rite or a ritual for the authentic, for the real McCoy, because then priests can control the pipeline..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bfe/terence-mckenna-287_approach_i-think-institutions-will-inevitably-sub_2320761.png" --- # I think institutions will inevitably substitute a rite or… ![“I think institutions will inevitably substitute a rite or a ritual for the authentic, for the real McCoy, because then priests can control the pipeline to god, and the parishioner can approach with offerings. But if everybody can have a pipeline to deity, why then the whole priest scam is put out…” quote by Terence McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bfe/terence-mckenna-287_approach_i-think-institutions-will-inevitably-sub_2320761.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bfe/terence-mckenna-287_approach_i-think-institutions-will-inevitably-sub_2320761.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bfe/terence-mckenna-287_approach_i-think-institutions-will-inevitably-sub_2320761.png) > “I think institutions will inevitably substitute a rite or a ritual for the authentic, for the real McCoy, because then priests can control the pipeline to god, and the parishioner can approach with offerings. But if everybody can have a pipeline to deity, why then the whole priest scam is put out of business.” [Terence McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-mckenna/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Institutions replace authentic spiritual experience with rituals, but direct personal connection to the divine would render priestly authority obsolete. **In simple terms:** Rituals substitute real spiritual experience; direct access could end priestly control. Key Takeaway Seek personal spiritual connection beyond institutional rituals. Themes spirituality authority authenticity Mood contemplative challenging Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - meditation practice - community building - interfaith dialogue Key Concepts ritual institution personal experience Questions to Reflect On - What personal practices can replace institutional rituals? - How does community shape spiritual experience? A Different Perspective May underestimate the social role and community function of rituals. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Approach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/approach/) [Deities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deities/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Institutions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/institutions/) [Mccoy Priests](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mccoy-priests-5546934/) [Offering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/offering/) [Pipeline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pipeline/) [Priest Scam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/priest-scam-5546935/) [Priests](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/priests/) [Real](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real/) [Rite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rite/) [Rite Ritual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rite-ritual-4214255/) [Ritual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ritual/) [Ritual Authentic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ritual-authentic-5546932/) [Scams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scams/) [Substitute Rite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/substitute-rite-5546933/) [Substitutes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/substitutes/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Whole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/whole/) ## Related quotes > [Religion is more than rite and ritual.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yann-martel/religion-is-more-than-rite-and-ritual/) [Yann Martel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yann-martel/) > [The war on drugs was never meant to be won. 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