religious experience

examine the variety of forms of religious experience

30 marks

a religious experience is a non empircal occurence and it may be percieved as supernatural

such an event can be percieved as spontaneous or it could be a result of intensive training

the recipient usually says that what has happened to them has drawn them into a deeper knowledge or awareness of God.

the experience itself isn't a substitute for the divine but is instead a veicle which brings the recipient closer to the divine.

a genuine religious experience seems to be encouraging and they don't condemn the individual but instead help them to live a better life.

such an experience could be seen as numinous, which is where you feel holy and includes awe,fascination and a religious awareness.

vision

-occurs when the individual believed that they have seen or heard something supernatural -there are three ways]

-intellectual-brings knowledge and understanding such as as the revelation from god.

-imaginary-where something that strengthens faith is seen with the minds eye

-corporeal-figure is externally present.

numinous-to feel holy and includes awe,fascination religious awareness and the smallness of self.

there are conversions-when the religious experience effects are life changing

term conversion means to regenerate or change direction etc.

the effects can be temporary or permanent

there are different types of conversion

-a conscious and voluntary experience-volitional

-an involuntary and unconscious experience-self surrender

-volitional is gradual whereas non volitional isn't as non volitional is spontaneous

-a mystical experience is where the recipient feels a sense of union with the divine

mysticism involves the spiritual recognition of truths beyond normal understanding

a knowledge of the ultimate reality is gained

a sense of freedom from limitations of time,space and human ego is experienced.

a sense of oneness or unity witht he divine is experienced.

a sense of bliss or serentity is experienced.

mysticism is seen as the closest that a human can ever come to actually meeting the divine.

four characteristics of mystical experiences

-ineffability, unable to speak it

-noetic quality,mind gains knowledge and understanding

-transciency, only last a short amount of time

-passivity,occurs without any action on part of the recipient

There are two types of mysticism

-love and union-longing to escape from lonliness and feeling of being separate.

We all have a desire to be part of something bigger than ourselves

mysticism of knowledge and understanding-we have an urge to find out the secrets of the universe.

3 types of mysticism

-soul mysticism-sees the souls as something that is hidden.

-nature mysticism-found in the belief that God is immanent.

-God mysticism-souls desire to return to their immortal and infinite ground, which is god.

onlt those who have had a religious experience can fully understand what a religious experience is

assess 15 marks

for-agree with this claim

-ineffable

-can't know what is beyond your own experiences

against-disagree with this claim

people share such experiences

religious experiences have some objective features

natural explanations to explain such

examine main characteristics of conversion and mystical experiences

a religious…