Religious Experience

Question 0

Define genuine

Answer 0

Not implying the experience has definitely come from God. Suggesting that there is nothing to imply that it had been contrived by an individual (s) (perhaps perusing his or her own agendas)

Question 1

Define empiricism

Answer 1

All knowledge is derived from experience. Experience always means sensory experience (that depends on one or more of the five senses)

Question 2

What is a religious experience?

Answer 2

Non empirical occurrence - supernatural
'Mental event' 
Spontaneous or as a result of intensive training and self-discipline 
Brings people closer to the Divine
Unique and cannot be shared with anyone

Question 3

Characteristics of religious experience

Answer 3

Visions
Conversion
Mystical experiences

Question 4

What 3 types of visions are there?

Answer 4

Intellectual vision - something that brings about knowledge and understanding such as a revelation from God

Imaginary vision - a vision that occurs within the mind. The ‘mind’s eye’. E.g. Jacobs ladder to heaven

Corporeal vision - a vision where a figure is externally present e.g. St Bernadette’s vision of the Virgin Mary

Question 5

St Bernadette’s vision of the Virgin Mary

Answer 5

When St Bernadette was 14 years old she had visions of the Virgin Mary over several months. At first, the Virgin Mary didn’t speak but then she was given instructions by ‘The Immaculate Conception’ that the spring water at Lourdes had healing powers and so a chapel was to be built on the site.

Question 6

Matthew’s gospel

Answer 6

Joseph is warned in a dream to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt to protect them from Herod