the ritualistic stuff - is just a cult group excuse to dispose of the damaged used up goods

same way the psychopathic serial killers justify what they are doing with some insane cause.

anyone whose taken enough LSD will understand that mindset of psychosis that can set in and cult groups are notorious for installing it into their members.

so bugger the little boy until hes broken and then sacrifice or eat him or whatever - for some ritual purpose - because that hides the horrors of what you are doing as a necessary power ritual

in the end all these things might give some psychological boost in the outset, esp. part of a group but over time they start failing and the person sinks deeper into their psychosis, until they can barely function without performing some nutty ritual - for example Pelosi wore the same outfit at both impeachments- that's high functioning superstition taking over her mind.