Spiritual Evolution versus Stasis

I've been thinking a lot lately about the idea of spiritual evolution and how it is viewed by people in general. In life we grow, we change, we outgrow old things, and gain new perspectives as we grow in wisdom. Yet there seems to be a sentiment out there that in spiritual or religious matters it's better to stay one way your whole life and not change in any way. To develop new or changed attitudes, or trade off one set of "beliefs" for another is a sign of wishy-washiness or uncertainty. To remain unchanging one's whole life is to be steadfast and reliable, and is not seen as becoming complacent or even stubborn.

What do you think? To what degree is spiritual growth and change a good thing? Is a lack of change a sign of certainty and conviction, or is it an open invitation to stagnation and dogmatism?

 

I guess it depends on what you believe and what the merits of that belief system are.

 

To stay completely static in your belief system (whatever that might be) is little more than simple apathy. Even if your core beliefs don't change, there should always be a deeper level of application or understanding, or both.

 

I couldn't agree more. What we start out with in this life, spiritually speaking, is just what we are exposed to--however rich or destitute that spiritual environment may be. To simply accept that without any further exploration at all is meaningless. It would be similar to assuming that the entire world resembles my 10-block neighborhood.

For spirituality to have any meaning or value at all, there must be growth & evolution--a deepening of understanding. Otherwise what's the point? You may as well simply deny that there is any spiritual element to life at all & just focus on the physical/material reality in which you live.

Perhaps the incredible speed at which so many things change in the modern world just tires us out; & some of us succumb to the illusion that if this or that set of beliefs remains static, that represents some kind of security. If nothing else though, whatever basic reality there is, our understanding of it should grow over time.

 

Why is it that religion creates more violence than any other issue today?

 

I think a better wording of the question would be, "Why do people use the excuse of religion more often than any other for their violent behavior?" Then we could argue the details of that.

But more relevant to this particular thread: Does an avowed atheist think there is anything beyond the scientifically known, physical/material aspect to life at all? And whether the answer to that is yes or no, what does it mean to "evolve" as a human being? Is there anything more to it than becoming more "fit to survive?"

I enjoy ECILAM's questions & the threads he starts, because he always makes me THINK. To the point of pain, sometimes

 

Certainly there should be, as HB states, a deeper understanding and application of your beliefs as you move forward in life but if your core beliefs are constantly changing then I would argue that you never really commit to any belief system. Some people will change their belief system for the sake of personal benefit and convenience. Those people might as well forgo a belief system, IMHO.

 

Change & growth aren't the same thing; but growth does imply at least some degree of change. Not necessarily from one core set of beliefs to another, but at least a degree of change. But I'd agree that change for its own sake has nothing to do with growth.

I think a lot of people are afraid to question & challenge their own beliefs--spiritual or otherwise. Afraid they won't hold up, maybe, or just afraid to take the risk of thinking for themselves. That's a shame, because I don't think you can gain any real understanding of anything without questioning.

 

Agreesome.


...regardless of the belief system in question.