Given the parallels between initiation and death, it's worth reflecting on one more parallel. The five stages of death apply to initiation as well. In the first stage, we have denial. There is no deep Mystery, nothing to be initiated into. What we see on the surface is all there is, and anyone who thinks there's anything deeper is a superstitious fool.
Rites of initiation are childish games at best, and dangerous hazing at worst.
The religiously or spiritually inclined acknowledges this presence, but can't or won't believe that anything more lies on the other side of the initiation experience. There are no Mysteries. In either case, initiation is a childish game at best, and dangerous hazing at worst. In the next stage, it has become apparent that initiation does lead to something not readily available elsewhere. Often the response is one of anger.