Human faith can be a powerful incentive, which, however, is not always used adequately. Blind adherence to religion can be associated with difficulties in self-development. The inability to live independently and trust exclusively in higher powers makes a person vulnerable in real life. Few opportunities for self-development are available due to religious constraints.
Evaluating blind adherence to religion through Howard’s (2006) film can help prove the danger of such a lifestyle. “The Da Vinci Code” is a well-known story about exposing religious conspiracies and ancient mysteries. Analyzing the movie may help highlight the destructive nature of absolute faith based on blind adherence to ideals. Following religion blindly can hinder one’s self-actualization and interfere with self-development due to numerous constraints and restrictions.
Self-actualization and self-development are the concepts that depend on the breadth of views. Blind adherence to religion is a factor that does not allow receiving flexible education and adapting knowledge to different areas. Howard’s (2006) movie reflects how rigid are the views of are who are not ready to accept the development of the world and society. Blind trust in higher powers can be associated with fanaticism. A person with narrow views cannot socialize normally due to constant doubts. Christian values often run counter to the modern concepts of personal growth.
The ancient secrets of Christianity may have little to do with biblical theses, as shown in Howard’s (2006) film. The constant search for the meaning of being and truth can be endless. A person is forced to narrow the range of interests so as not to be distracted by the third-party concepts of the technogenic world. Self-actualization in such conditions concerns exclusively Christian ideas and restrains the potential of the intellect.
Constraints and restrictions concern an individual worldview that is limited to a focus on inner limitations rather than outer achievements. Individual progress is contrary to the idea of collective submission to God. Self-actualization, as a natural factor of human nature, is forced to be suppressed by existing religious restrictions based on canonical theses. In the traditional sense, trying to fulfill one’s potential is comparable to betraying the idea of dedication to the service of God. From the perspective of faith, the role of a person in society is insignificant and is not a criterion for true success and spiritual growth.
Blind adherence to religion requires from a person full spiritual dedication and the absence of additional goals in the implementation of individual talents. Full adherence to biblical canons turns a person into a hermit, completely fenced off from the outside world, as shown in Howard’s film (2006). Today’s rhythm of life does not allow for the combination of a long-term religious lifestyle with dynamic labor market conditions when the constant improvement of individual professional skills plays an essential role and helps self-develop. Self-actualization is a multi-stage process in which the phased implementation of intermediate tasks can be complicated if a person cannot afford specific benefits or development tools due to religious beliefs.
Various limitations and restrictions do not allow a person to self-develop successfully or freely if they adhere to a strict religious lifestyle. Following religion blindly is associated with hermitage and immersion in inner knowledge, which contradicts the idea of self-actualization in society. The example of Howard’s (2006) film proves that a person is not able to perceive reality in the same way as other people if the canonical biblical theses form the basis of the worldview.
Reference
Howard, R. (2006). The Da Vinci code [Film]. Sony Pictures.