Relgious Expeirences Flashcards
what is a relgiious experience?
where god is experienced beyond ordinart and empirical explantations which most likely take context within relgions. they are both subjective and individualistic
how are relgious expeirences diffrent to other experiences?
- not universal
- not verifiable
-not experiences of empirical evidence or items - subjective
- interpretive
- a way of providing knowlegde of other realisties or the deibing
- life chaning
- difficult to decide in ordinary language
what are the main types or relgious expeirnces?
visions
conversions
mysticism
prayer
what are vision?
perceptions beyond normal experiences that typically include dream like qualities. its somehting that only the person who expeirenes it can hear.
what are the three types of visions
sensory
intellectual
dreams
what are sensory visions
- where apparently external event occurs
- a waking vision when the person is fully conscious
may be indivudual or communical - sometimes called corporeal
what are intellectual visions?
- brings knowlege and undertanidng that cannot be gaine din any other way
- seen with the mind rather that the eye
- can bring a message of inspriration insight or instruction
what are dreams wihtin visions
- occur whilst sleeping or in a meditive state
- generally individual
- may be series of images or a narrative
what is an example of a collective vision?
angel of mons - The Angel of Mons ( also corporeal) is a legendary figure from World War I, said to have appeared to British soldiers during the Battle of Mons in 1914. According to accounts, a vision of an angelic figure was seen in the sky, inspiring and comforting troops facing overwhelming odds. This apparition was interpreted as a divine sign, symbolizing hope and protection amidst the horrors of war. The story, rooted in folklore and soldier testimonies, reflects themes of faith and the supernatural in times of crisis.
what did teresa of avila belive on intellectual visions?
- becaue teresa had so many relgious expeircnes and visions she wanted to know if they were genuine or she should be suspicious
- she identidfied three types of visions
1. corpoereal
2. imaginitive
3. intellectual
what is an individua;listicvision experien
st bernadette - Saint Bernadette Soubirous experienced a series of visions of the Virgin Mary in 1858 while gathering firewood near the grotto of Massabielle in Lourdes, France. In these visions, Mary revealed her identity and asked Bernadette to pray for the conversion of sinners and to build a chapel at the site. Inspired by these encounters, Bernadette dedicated her life to faith and service, ultimately becoming a nun. Her visions led to the establishment of Lourdes as a major pilgrimage site, where many have reported miraculous healings and spiritual renewals.
what was st teresas corpereal visions?
like sensory visions
when people see it with their own eyes
seems very real
teresa beloved that these were presented by the devil and that it was a misundertanding with mental illnesses
what are imaginitive visions according to teresa?
where the vision is seen in someones minds eye
what is st teresas belief on intellectual visions
this is not where somone sees something but more of a deper gaining of knowlegde within god in the soul - these are the most important
what is a vison that happened whilst in a dream?
in the bible - gensis 28
jacob had a dream in which he saw a ladder going up to heaven from which he learned that he had to build a temple
- or when joesph was told in a dream not to worry about marry even though she was pregnant with a kid that wasnt his - he was now reassured.
how did teresa say you could make sure a intellectual vision is authentic
- it is clear and distinct
- nrefers to things someone has never imagined or thought of before
- level of undertanding depeens and cant be put into words
- the geniue vision leaves the person with a sense of peach and light
what is a conversion
when someone changes from one relgion to another - refers to a radical change in belief
it can also mean from unbelief to belifef
a streghtning in their faith
what are william james three stages of these expeirences
- loss of pleasure - a divided self - a diffrence between in the way the subject is and they was they want to be
- a deperate desire for relief - seomthing must change - they are searching for answers
- self surrender/reunification between life as it is and how the subject wishhes it to be
what is an active conversion
the person takes and active role wihtin in looking fo answes - by reading a holy book or seeking a relgious beliver - the conversion happens to the effort that they have put
what is a passive conversion
?
the person doesnt know they are looking for god but is taken by surprise when god is suddenly releved to them
what is a exmaple of an passive conversion experience?
the conversion of paul - The conversion of Paul refers to the change in the life of Saul a man who initially persecuted Christians. While traveling to Damascus to arrest believers, he was struck by a bright light and heard the voice of Jesus asking, “Saul, why are you persecuting me?” This experience led him to become a follower of Christ, and he changed his name to Paul. After his conversion, Paul dedicated his life to spreading the message of Christianity, becoming one of its most influential apostles.
what is a communal converison?
when a group of peeople have a relgious experience which change their lives - pente cost they were gathered together when suddenly there was a sound like a rushing wind, and they saw what appeared to be tongues of fire resting on each of them. This experience empowered them to speak in different languages, allowing them to share the message of Jesus with people from various backgrounds. Pentecost is often considered the birth of the Christian Church, marking the beginning of its mission to spread the faith.
