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Originally Posted by Brutha  I don't think that Christians hav any lower or higher level of consciousness than other people.
Whether you have a high level of consciousness is not about which religion you have. It's about your personal growth. |
I basically agree with you, but it's a complicated matter to make blanket statements about -- even those I agree with ;-)
I think M. Scott Peck's "levels of spiritual development" apply here. In brief, he uses general categories of (going by memory)
1. Chaotic / primitive
2. Religious / legalistic
3. Rational / scientific
4. Spiritual
People identify with a religion initially because it gives them rules at a time when they need them. Later, they see the holes in their religious dogma and become disillusioned, atheistic, and/or in some way or other reject anything that is not empirical. In the end, if they don't fight it, they become spiritual, but in a very non-dogmatic, humble sort of way. They may still be associated (or may re-associate) with a church at this point, but their practice and attitude will be much more enlightened and loving.
These levels are rough guidelines only -- like the stages of dying or grief (denial, anger, bargaining, acceptance) people don't always pass neatly though them in sequence, may spend more or less time in one stage, may regress or cycle through two or more of them multiple times, may have one foot firmly planted in two adjacent phases, etc. But it is a helpful heuristic for understanding these things.
It is fascinating to me that even the Bible says, "the law (legalistic, dogmatic religion) is a teacher that leads us unto grace (all things are lawful, but not all things are wise)" -- parenthetical notations mine. This certainly describes how people can be in a religious tradition out of either phase 2 or phase 4 motivations.
The point is, you can't judge someone's level of spiritual development solely by whether they are or aren't in a church. But on the other hand I do not hold my breath hoping to find highly advanced and aware people who are also gung-ho religious types, either.
Even I could imagine returning after a fashion to my religious roots with a completely new understanding but see doing so as totally optional and potentially dangerous to my spiritual development. I wouldn't do it lightly, if at all.
--Bob