Re: strength in numbers

This passage doesn't totally apply to this, because it says "these have indeed an appearance of wisdom" and surely there is no wisdom whatsoever in what they are doing there, but still I think the overall message applies.

How insane and sad though that they would do this to themselves, thinking it earns them something. People are so foolish. But this does show the great lengths people will go to to try to save themselves because submitting to the one and only Savior is repulsive to them.

Colossians 2:
20If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— 21“Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” 22(referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? 23These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.