People use the term "legalism" as an excuse to dismiss God's Word. Legalism is following man-made rules that God never gave, and "obedience" is seeking God for truth to obey Him.
There is a lot of legalism in the church with expectations of others that God never commanded or endorsed. This legalism is based on misinterpretation of the Word of God according to the culture.
A lot of people quote things from the culture and claim they came from the Bible, but they are not in the Bible at all.
This is why it is so important to ask God before you read the Bible to show us the truth. We must be willing to set aside and reject what we were taught in order to follow Christ.
Sadly, though, many "Christians" are so dedicated to the false things they were taught that they are afraid to ask God. Asking God might mean they will end up being at odds with everyone they know because the entire culture is so steeped in false ideas that they cannot and do not want to wrap their minds around anything that sound unfamiliar to them.
Mark 7:13 "13 thus making void the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And many such things you do.”
What are some things you have heard and believed that you found out were not Biblical but everyone thinks are right?
