Religious experience Flashcards
what is a mystical experience ?
An experience of something beyond normal awareness
who said “one may say truly, I think, that personal religious experience has its roots and centre in mystical states and consciousness”
William James
what did James say made something a mystical experience ?
It must be:
passive
ineffable
Noetic
Transient
What does passive mean ?
The person felt as though they were not in control
what does ineffable mean ?
It isn’t easy to explain
What does noetic mean ?
It brings previously unknown knowledge
What does transient mean ?
It lasts a short period of time
What is a conversion experience ?
A change of heart and turning around of one’s priorities, following a new direction in life
What is pragmatism ?
The effects on and value to the individual
What is empiricism ?
Using observation and evidence
What are some examples of conversion experiences ?
Story of the apostle Paul
Story of Moses
What is pluralism ?
The belief that all religious practices or ways of life hold some value or truths
What did Starbuck say about conversions ?
They are likely a normal adolescent phenomenon as they are more common with 15-25 year olds
What did freud say about people who had religious experiences ?
He believed they had psychological issues and the church was to blame for it
What were feuerbach’s views ?
That god is a psychological construct, providing us with comfort of a higher power or fatherly figure
