Why do you think many teachers rejected prevalent religious beliefs and practices?

Many teachers rejected prevalent religious beliefs and practices because: 

• these beliefs were cumbersome and difficult to follow. 
• these beliefs led to social inequality and created differences between classes. 
• the religious teachings favoured the privileged and discriminated against lower classes. 
• the teachers felt attracted to the idea of a Supreme God who could deliver humans from bondage if approached with devotion (or bhakti). 

Hence, many teachers rejected prevalent religious beliefs and turned to religions like Buddhism and Jainism to overcome social differences.