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A LEVEL RE - PHILOSOPHY > (5) RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE > Flashcards

(5) RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE Flashcards

1
Q

What is a Religious Experience?

A

A RE is an Experience in which a PERSON BELIEVES that he/she is CONNECTING with GOD (or Higher Power) in SOME WAY
considered a REVELATION - reveals unknown knowledge

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2
Q

What are Classical Characteristics of an RE

A

Might be a DRAMATIC EVENT - like a Vision, witnessing a Miracle, Near Death Experience
May occur through RELIGIOUS PRACTISES - Prayer, Worship
Might simply be a FEELING - Being in the Presence of God, Gaining Knowledge through Prayer

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3
Q

What is a EXAMPLE of a RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE in the BIBLE

A

(Acts 11:6-10) PETER’s account of his VISION of GOD, in which he HEARS God TELLINGHIM that THERE’S NO longer a NEED to FOLLOW the JEWISH DIETRY LAWS
“ I heard a voice saying to me, ‘ Get up, Peter, kill and eat ‘

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4
Q

What is a EXAMPLE of a RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE in the BIBLE - Hearing a voice

A

VOICE GIVES a COMMAND - e.g. when ST PAUL was Compelled to go to DAMASCUS to be CONVERTED to CHRISTIANITY after HEARING JESUS’ VOICE

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5
Q

What is a EXAMPLE of a RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE - VISION

A

some claim the Supernatural being has APPEARED TO THEM in the Flesh and CAN be INTERACTED WITH - e.g. BERNADETTE , 14yrs old, CLAIMED MARY APPEARED to her As a BEAUTIFUL WOMAN - “ I am the immaculate conception “

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6
Q

What is a MYSTICAL EXPERIENCE?

A

a TERM that ECOMPASES many Different Kinds of Religious Experience, including Dramatic Events where People apparently see visions and hear visions etc..
when people have ME’s , they FEEL that they have REACHED an UNDERSTANDING of SPIRITUAL TRUTH which CANNOT be ACCESSED through the use of REASON and NORMAL SENSE EXPERIENCE

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7
Q

What do People FEEL they GAIN AFTER a MYSTICAL EXPERIENCE, 4

A
  • SPIRITUAL TRUTH Beyond Normal Understanding (revelation)
  • a FEELING of UNION WITH GOD
  • a SENSE of MYSTERY
  • a SENSE of PEACE
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8
Q

EXPLAIN the CHRISTIAN MYSTIC of - JULIAN of NORWICH

A

she was SERIOUSLY ILL from the Black Death. on her DEATHBED that night, over a Period of Several Hours, she EXPERIENCED 15 VISIONS with a FINAL ONE occurring the FOLLOWING NIGHT.
the woman MADE a FULL RECOVERY, LIVING a FURTHER 33 YEARS and WROTE an ACCOUNT of EACH VISION

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9
Q

What did WILLIAM JAMES want to with his study? and his 2 KEY AIMS

A

JAMES WANTED to SEPERATE significant of RE FROM BOGUS ONES
- to FIND whether there are CHARCATERITSICS COMMON to the RE of PEOPLE from a Variety of DIFFERENT Religious and Cultures and to divorce particular religious interpreations
- to ANALYSE whether a RE can Form an OBJECTIVE ARGUMENT for the EXISTENCE of GOD

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10
Q

What are JAMES’ 4 CHARACTERSITICS of a GENUINE RE - PINT

A

(1) INEFFABLE - Impossible to Express in Words, beyond human powers of description
(2) NOETIC - the Person recieves Knowledge of God which is Not Otherwise Available , Direct Revelation
(3) TRANSIENT - experience is Not Permanent; usually last half an hour or less, but Effects of it are Long Lasting
(4) PASSIVE - person was Not In Control of what Happened to Them, controlled from outsode

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11
Q

What did WILLIAM JAMES CONCLUDE about RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE

A

He concluded that ALTHOUGH RE DOESN’T give PROOF of ANYTHING, it’s REASONABLE to BELIEVE that there’s a PERSONAL GOD who is INTERESTED in the WORLD and in INDIVIDUALS

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12
Q

Why is WILLIAM JAMES known as a PRAGMATIST?

A

he BELIEVED that it is the FRUITS of SOMEONE’S LIFE, resulting from the CONVERSION EXPERIENCE , that GIVE the Experience VALUE
the REAL TEST of an AUTHENTIC RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE is the LONG-TERM change in the Person

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13
Q

DESRCIBE’s SAUL EXPERIENCE on the Road to DAMASCUS

A

SAUL was LEADING a Jewish Group to DAMASCUS to PERSECUTE the NEW CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY there. He was SUDDENLY THROWN from his horse, and HEARD a VOICE saying SAUL, WHY do you PERSECUTE ME. He CAME to TRUTH of CHRISTIAN FAITH

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14
Q

What are the AFTER EFFETCS of SAUL’s RE

A

SAUL (now Paul) STOPPED PERSECITING CHRISTIANS, become CHRISTIANITY’s GREAT missionary and WAS MARTYRED his BELIEFS

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15
Q

IS a RE EVIDENCE of GOD - JAMES

A

JAMES concluded that a RE DOESN’T PROVE GOD’S EXISTENCE - a Positive Change could happen because the Person Believes they have Encountered GOD, not because they really have
However, the EFFECTS of the EXPERIENCE POINT TOWARDS the POSSIBILITY of a HIGHER POWER

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16
Q

What did SCHLEIERMACHE believe about RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCES?

A

Believed RE are ‘SELF-AUTHENTICATING’ - meaning DO NOT NEED an EXTERNAL TEST to VERIFY them AS a GENUINE Experience of GOD

RE’s are NATURAL to HUMANS as we have a DEEP SEATED SENSUS DIVINITAS

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17
Q

How does KANT challenge the supernatural explanations of RE’s?

A

points out that PEOPLE INTERPRET their REs in a WAY that MATCHES their OWN BELIEFS
but If Each Experience is Genuine, we would Expect the Person to Desrcube the Same Kind of Experience
Not problematic for Jews, Christains and Mislims where the Idea of God is similar, BUT there’s a Belief in Many God’s in Hindi and Budhhist

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18
Q

How does JAMES RESPOND to KANT’S CHALLENGE for Supernatural Explanations

A

JAMES explains that While PEOPLE of DIFFERENT FAITHS INTERPRET REs DIFFERENTLY, the WAY they LIVE their LIFE (effect of the Experience is SIMILAR

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19
Q

How do People CRITISE JAMES’ CONCLUSIONS?

A

Crtics ACCUSE James of being TOO VAGUE in his CONLUSIONS ABOUT REs because he is AIMING to COVER TOO MUCH, e.g.
- Support the Importance of REs for the Indivdual involved
- Be Inclusive to all religions
- Account for the Similiarity of all Religious Experience
- Recognise Psychological Factors Involved

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20
Q

Why was OTTO Important to the Study of RE?

A

OTTO Tries to IDENTIFY WHAT it is ABOUT a RE that MAKES IT DISTINCTLY RELIGIOUS, rather than JUST an EXPERIENCE

21
Q

What is a NUMINOUS EXPERIENCE?

A

he BELIEVED that ORDINARY LANGUAGE CANNOT DO JUSTICE to RE Since It’s a NON RATIONAL EXPERIENCE and Therefore UNLIKE Any NORMAL SENSE EXPEREINCE
Numinous meaning Divine Power

22
Q

How does OTTO believe about WHAT a PERSON FEELS During a NUMINOUS EXPERIENCE

A

says that a Person CAN’T DESCRIBE the Numinous Experience but Can TRY and DECRIBE HIS or HER FEELINGS DURING the Expereince
beieves that During an Encounter with God a Person Simultaneously EXPERIENCES a TERRIFYING and COMPELLING MYSTERY ; ‘Mysterium tremendum et fascinas’

23
Q

What does OTTO’S phrase ‘MYSTERIUM TREMENDUM ET FASCINAS’ (terrifying and compelling mystery) 3 words mean/

A

MYSTERIUM = Mysterious, Conveys the ‘otherness’ of God, who we Cannot Comprehend
TREMENDUM = Tremendous. Captures the Terror of Encountering God, which Fills the Person with Dread and Awe
FASCINAS = Fascinating and Compelling. The Feeling of Wonder and Rapture of being Drawn to God

24
Q

What does OTTO Mean when he Refers to GOD as ‘WHOLLY OTHER’?

A

WHEN in the PRESENCE of GOD, a PERSON becomes AWARE of their OWN INSIGNIFICANCE.
This FEELING ENABLES the PERSON to APPREICATE that GOD is ‘WHOLLY OTHER’ - to UNDERSTAND that GOD can NEVER be FULLY COMPREHENDED because GOD is UNLIKE ANYTHING we ENCOUNTER in DAILY LIFE

25
Q

WHY does OTTO Believe that a NUMINOUS EXPERIENCE is the STRONGEST EVIDENCE for GOD’S EXISTENCE

A

The FEELING of BEING COMPLETELY OVERWHELMED in GOD’S PRESENCE is EVIDENCE that the CAUSE of the EXPERIENCE is EXTERNAL - GOD’S PRESENCE Exists Outside of the Person - not inside. It’s INDIRECT

26
Q

2 EXAMPLES of ORDINARY EXPERIENCE that OTTO might CONSIDER NUMINIOUS

A

BEING in a PLACE of WORSHIP
SEEING a CRUCIFIX

27
Q

What is SWINBURNE’S Argument about PERSONAL TESTIMONIES and 2 PRINCIPES

A

argues that PERSONAL TESTIMONIES of REs CAN and SHOULD be TAKEN Just as SERIOUSLY as ANY OTHER KIND of EXPERIENCE
Proposed 2 Priniples to apply to see if it’s genuine
- PRINCIPLE of CREDULITY
- PRINCIPLE of TESTIMONY

28
Q

Explain SWINBURNE’S 1st RE VALIDITY PRINCIPLE - TESTIMONY

A

People Usually Tell Truth, we Believe, Unless Good Reason Not To

P1) I have HEARD Sincere REPORTS from Other People of their EXPERIENCES of GOD
P2) I have NO REASON to DOUBT the GENUINENESS of THESE REPORTS
C) THEREFORE They have GENUINELY EXPERIENCED GOD

29
Q

Explain SWINBURNE’S 1st RE VALIDITY PRINCIPLE - CREDULITY (willingness to believe)

A

This applies to our Own REs. We Should Trust Them, Trust Our Sense and Acceot, Unless we have Evidence to the Contrary.
Although Some Claims of RE’s have been Proven Flase, NOT ALL EXPEREINCES are False

30
Q

Explain SWINBURNE’S 1st RE VALIDITY PRINCIPLE - CREDULITY (willingness to believe)

A

This applies to our Own REs. We Should Trust Them, Trust Our Sense and Acceot, Unless we have Evidence to the Contrary.
Although Some Claims of RE’s have been Proven Flase, NOT ALL EXPEREINCES are False

31
Q

Explain SWINBURNE’S 1st RE VALIDITY PRINCIPLE - CREDULITY (willingness to believe) 2 PREMISES and 1 CONCLUSION

A

P1) I HAVE had an EXPERIENCE that I Am CERTAIN is Of GOD
P2: I have NO REASON To DOUBT This Experience
C: This Was a GENUINE EXPERIENCE Of GOD

32
Q

Explain what SWINBURNE Added to his Argument - PRIOR PROBABILITY - which is vital to the argument

A
  • If the EXISTENCE of SOMETHING is HIGHLY IMPROBABLE, Then You SHOULD Be HIGHLY SCEPITCAL of REPORTS to have SEEN THEM
  • But there is a REASONABLE PROBABILITY of GOD’S EXISTENCE if ALL the OTHER ARGUMENTS are Taken Into Account
  • While NONE of These Other ARGUMENTS PROVE GOD’S EXISTENCE, they MAKE it MORE PROBABLE Than Not
33
Q

How does JAMES OPPOSE SWINBURNES’s Views?

A

JAMES - TESTIMONY ALONE is NOT ENOUGH to PROVE a RE GENUINE - the AFTER-EFFECTS are MORE IMPORTANT

34
Q

Explain the PROBLEM of OTHER MIND which CRTICISES SWINBURNE’S VIEW that Perosnal Testimony is Enough to Prove a RE as Genuine

A

REs are ACCESIBLY ONLY to the INDIVIDUAL. Even if I Know the Person us Truthful, I CANNOT BE SURE that They have INTERPRETED Their EXPERIENCE CORRECLY, that They’re Not Lying etc.

35
Q

Explain how their are DIFFERENCES in INTERPRETATION in RE’s ( againgst swinburne and pt )

A

REs CANNOT be CLEARLY EXPRESSED (ineffable). Therefore WE are LIKELY to MISINTERPRET THEM, often in a Way that MATCHES our OWN BELEIFS
this DISCREDITS the RE as if Catolics are Experiencing Mary but Hindus are Experiencing Krishna, it Seems UNLIKLEY that ONE DIVINE SOURCE CAUSES ALL REs

36
Q

Explain how AYER says that GOD CANNOT be EMPIRICALLY PROVEN

A

RE are UNVERIFIABLE and Its UNREASONABLE to BELIEVE in Them because GOD is NOT an ORDINARY OBJECT of EXPEREINCE
Theists Claim that GOD has a SPEICAL NATURE - IMMATERIAL and TRANSCENDENT so it’s IMPOSSIBLE to Go from Feeling a Religious Emotion to a Claim that God Exists

37
Q

Explain the PSYCHOLGCIAL FACTOR which Causes REs -GOD is AN INVENTION - FEUERBACH

A

STARTS with the Premise that ATTRIBUTES we Typically ASCRIBE to GOD (power,knowledge) are ALSO SEEN in HUMAN NATURE
To Feel Supported and Comforted, People PROJECT their OWN ATTRIBUTES Outside of Themselves and Hold them Up as Something to Worship in God, a Higher Being
Thus People have INVENTED GOD.. CREATED GOD IN THEIR OWN IMAGE

38
Q

Explain the PSYCHOLGCIAL FACTOR which Causes REs - RELIGION IS AN ILLUSION - FREUD

A

argues ALL RELIGION is a DECPETION OF THE MIND
explains that the MIND is Made Up of Deep Kayers that Affect who we r:
(1) THE EGO: the Conscious Self (everyday opinions,decisions)
(2) THE ID: unconscious self (containibg memories, emotions, desires)
(3) THE SUPER EGO: Our Inner ‘Moral Voice’ telling us whether something is right our worng (created through parents, siblings, peers)

39
Q

Explain the PSYCHOLGCIAL FACTOR which Causes REs -GOD is AN INVENTION - FREUD

A

THEISTS Cannot Cope With ADULT LIFE (feeling Out of Control, Natural Disasters etc. ) so they INVENT a PARENT FIGURE who will PROTECT and DEFEND THEM - called God

40
Q

Explain the PHYSIOLOGICAL (arising from body ) FACTOR which Causes REs - HALLUCINATIONS

A

DRUGS, ALCHOHOL and VITAMIN DEFICIENCIES can have MIND - ALTERING EFFECTS, some are Long Lasting ( challenges James’ ideas )
- Jesus meets Satan face to face but only after 40 days and nights in the desert without food

41
Q

Explain the PHYSIOLOGICAL (arising from body ) FACTOR which Causes REs - BRAIN STIMULATION

A

……

42
Q

Explain the PHYSIOLOGICAL (arising from body ) FACTOR which Causes REs - EPILESPY

A

In his CONVERSION EXPERIENCE, SAUL reported SEEING a BRIGHT LIGHT, becoming UNCONSCIOUS and Suffering a Temporary Loss of SighT
some psycholgosusts have therefore Concluded that People with EPILESPY are MORE PRONE to BELIEVING they have HAD a RE

43
Q

What are CORPORATE RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCES

A

CRE’S are When PEOPLE REPORT having the SAME, or SIMILAR, Experience at the SAME TIME (as a bodu)
they may SHARE the SAME FEELIGS, PERCEPTIONS and RECEIVES the SAME MESSAGES

44
Q

Explain the CORPORATE RE in MEDJUGORJE

A

In the Town, 6 TEENAGES and CHILDREN REPORTED REGULAR VISIONS of the Virgin MARY EACH CLAIMING that she REVEALED SECRETS to them
many belive that MORE WITNESSES Give It MORE EVIDENTIAL FORCE , the fact is comes from CHILDREN makes it MORE CONVINCING

45
Q

Explain the CORPORATE RE in MEDJUGORJE - other explanation

A
  • CHILDREN ENCOURAGED EACHOTHER to BELIEVE that They had Seen Things
  • got Carried Along by the Emotions of Others
46
Q

Explain the CORPORATE RE - THE TORONTO BLESSING

A

1990’s - people Worshipping Together CLAIMED to HAVE the SAME RE - uncontrollable laughter, speaking in toungs etc. They CLAIMED they were ACTING UNDER the INFLUENCE of the HOLY SPIRIT, which they EXPERIENCED So Intensely that they LOST ALL SENSE of SELF

47
Q

How do PSYCHOLOGIST Suggest that CSRs are FAR LESS RELIABLE than INDIVIDUAL ONES

A
  • SOCIAL CONFORMITY - in Large Groups, People TEND to FOLLOW the MAJORITY, Perhaps as they WANT to FIT IN, Gain Apporval, AVOID REJECTION
48
Q

Explain the CORPORATE RE - PENTECOST

A

CHRISTIANS ARGUE there is a LOGIC to EVENTS of PENTECOST. SPEAKING in TOUNGES was NECESSARY as the CHURCH was just BEGINNING to GROW. JERUSALEM was FULL of people All Over the World, who spoke Many Languages but Needed to Understand the Apostle’s Message as if they were Hearing their Own Language

Christians Disagree with the Exact Meaning of PENTECOST - Some believe it Actually Happened

A LEVEL RE - PHILOSOPHY (8 decks)

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