Subjects

Careers

Open the App

Subjects

Amazing Religious Experience Stories for Kids: Mystical Moments and Types of Revelation

Open

3

0

user profile picture

syeda

04/04/2023

Religious Studies

Religious experience

Subjects

/

Religious Studies

/

Component 1: philosophy of religion and ethics

/

Section a: philosophy of religion

Amazing Religious Experience Stories for Kids: Mystical Moments and Types of Revelation

Religious experiences are profound encounters with the divine that can shape one's spiritual journey and beliefs. This summary explores various types of religious experiences, their characteristics, and critiques from psychological and physiological perspectives.

Key aspects covered include:

  • Religious experience examples in groups and personal testimonies
  • Categorization of religious experiences by Richard Swinburne
  • William James' study on the varieties of religious experience
  • Characteristics of mystical experiences
  • Critiques of religious experiences from psychological and physiological standpoints

The document provides insights into how religious experiences are defined, interpreted, and analyzed across different contexts and belief systems.

...

04/04/2023

189

17/03/2023 O 2 corporale (group)religous experiences 1. Toronto blessing whirling Densh 3 Tourdes Petersonteral reasons religous belief" def

View

William James' Study on Religious Experiences

This page delves into William James' influential work on religious experiences, highlighting his approach and findings.

William James' "Varieties of Religious Experience":

  • Believed that verification of religious experiences was not crucial
  • Focused on the authenticity of the experience for the individual
  • Acknowledged that religious experiences are not logical proof of God's existence
  • Emphasized the centrality of religious experiences to religious belief

Quote: "The purpose of religion is not God but 'more life, a larger, richer, more satisfying life.'" - William James

James' Method:

  • Collected numerous testimonies of religious experiences
  • Analyzed and categorized them into types
  • Noted common features across experiences

Findings:

  • Religious experiences often lead to life transformation
  • Positive effects include a happier outlook on life and a sense of purpose and meaning
  • James distinguished between "healthy souls" (open-minded, optimistic) and "sick souls" (cynical, skeptical)
  • Religious experiences tend to make people "healthy-minded"

Highlight: James' work provides valuable insights into the psychological and emotional impacts of religious experiences.

17/03/2023 O 2 corporale (group)religous experiences 1. Toronto blessing whirling Densh 3 Tourdes Petersonteral reasons religous belief" def

View

Characteristics of Religious and Mystical Experiences

This page explores the defining features of religious and mystical experiences, offering a deeper understanding of these profound spiritual encounters.

Four Ways to Define Religious Experiences:

  1. Ineffability: Often beyond words
  2. Noetic quality: Knowledge gained about God or revelation
  3. Transiency: Experience is not lasting but has a lasting effect on the person
  4. Passivity: No control, feeling taken over or consumed

Definition: Mysticism is the direct knowledge of God, spiritual truth, or ultimate reality revealed through a subjective personal experience.

Types of Mysticism:

  1. Soul mysticism: Finding the soul, complete self-fulfillment
  2. Nature mysticism: Belief that God is immanent in nature
  3. God mysticism: Soul's desire to return to their immortal, infinite Ground (God)

Two Approaches to Mysticism:

  1. Mysticism of love and union: Need to be part of something bigger than ourselves
  2. Mysticism of knowledge and understanding: Need to find answers to the secrets of the universe

Example: A mystical religious experience might involve a sense of unity with the divine or a profound insight into the nature of reality.

F.C. Happold's Three Aspects of Mystical Experience: (Details not provided in the transcript)

Highlight: Because religious experiences are seen as unusual, some conclude they may be illusions or the result of our minds playing tricks on us.

17/03/2023 O 2 corporale (group)religous experiences 1. Toronto blessing whirling Densh 3 Tourdes Petersonteral reasons religous belief" def

View

Critiques of Religious Experiences

This page presents various critiques of religious experiences from psychological and physiological perspectives, challenging their validity and origin.

Psychological Critiques:

  • Feuerbach's view:

    Quote: "Religion is an illusion, a fiction people mistake for reality."

    • Humans project their wishes onto God due to feeling alienated in their own lives
    • If people were able to reach their potential, there would be no need for religion

  • Freud's perspective:

    Definition: Freud described religion as an "obsessional neurosis" that cushions us from harsh realities.

    • Religion is a psychological phenomenon
    • Belief in God is an obsessional neurosis that religion satisfies
    • Freud's model of the mind: Id (human instincts), Ego (shaped by external influences), and Superego (human reason)

Example: Praying five times a day in Islam could be seen as an obsessional behavior that satisfies religious needs, according to Freud's theory.

Physiological Explanations:

  • The "God helmet" experiment by Persinger
  • Factors that may influence religious experiences:
    • Drugs
    • Alcohol
    • Tiredness
    • Illness
    • Fasting

Highlight: These critiques suggest that religious experiences may have natural explanations rooted in psychology or physiology, rather than supernatural origins.

This page encourages critical thinking about the nature and validity of religious experiences, presenting alternative explanations for these profound spiritual encounters.

Similar content

Know Contemporary Issues thumbnail

4

153

12/13

Contemporary Issues

GCSE RS study notes

Know Soul, Mind and Body OCR religious studies philosophy notes thumbnail

24

606

12/13

Soul, Mind and Body OCR religious studies philosophy notes

soul, mind, and body key notes + possible exam questions

Know Origins of universe thumbnail

5

234

S5/S6

Origins of universe

Higher RMPS

Know Plato and Aristotle thumbnail

4

224

12/13

Plato and Aristotle

A detailed sheet on OCR RS Alevel Plato and Aristotle ancients topic

Know Aristotle summary notes for Alevel thumbnail

10

207

12/12

Aristotle summary notes for Alevel

A-Level Philosophy and Ethics for OCR summary notes for Aristotle topic. Including quotations and analysis.

Know Religious Studies Exam Specification thumbnail

33

2506

11/12

Religious Studies Exam Specification

The specification of A level Religious studies exam for WJEC Eduqas exam board

Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.

Knowunity is the #1 education app in five European countries

Knowunity has been named a featured story on Apple and has regularly topped the app store charts in the education category in Germany, Italy, Poland, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Join Knowunity today and help millions of students around the world.

Ranked #1 Education App

Download in

Google Play

Download in

App Store

Knowunity is the #1 education app in five European countries

4.9+

Average app rating

20 M

Pupils love Knowunity

#1

In education app charts in 17 countries

950 K+

Students have uploaded notes

Still not convinced? See what other students are saying...

iOS User

I love this app so much, I also use it daily. I recommend Knowunity to everyone!!! I went from a D to an A with it :D

Philip, iOS User

The app is very simple and well designed. So far I have always found everything I was looking for :D

Lena, iOS user

I love this app ❤️ I actually use it every time I study.

Subjects

Religious Studies

Component 1: philosophy of religion and ethics

Section a: philosophy of religion

 

Religious Studies

•

189

•

4 Apr 2023

•

4 pages

Amazing Religious Experience Stories for Kids: Mystical Moments and Types of Revelation

user profile picture

syeda

@syeda_gdps

Religious experiences are profound encounters with the divine that can shape one's spiritual journey and beliefs. This summary explores various types of religious experiences, their characteristics, and critiques from psychological and physiological perspectives.

Key aspects covered include:

  • Religious experience examples... Show more
17/03/2023 O 2 corporale (group)religous experiences 1. Toronto blessing whirling Densh 3 Tourdes Petersonteral reasons religous belief" def

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

William James' Study on Religious Experiences

This page delves into William James' influential work on religious experiences, highlighting his approach and findings.

William James' "Varieties of Religious Experience":

  • Believed that verification of religious experiences was not crucial
  • Focused on the authenticity of the experience for the individual
  • Acknowledged that religious experiences are not logical proof of God's existence
  • Emphasized the centrality of religious experiences to religious belief

Quote: "The purpose of religion is not God but 'more life, a larger, richer, more satisfying life.'" - William James

James' Method:

  • Collected numerous testimonies of religious experiences
  • Analyzed and categorized them into types
  • Noted common features across experiences

Findings:

  • Religious experiences often lead to life transformation
  • Positive effects include a happier outlook on life and a sense of purpose and meaning
  • James distinguished between "healthy souls" (open-minded, optimistic) and "sick souls" (cynical, skeptical)
  • Religious experiences tend to make people "healthy-minded"

Highlight: James' work provides valuable insights into the psychological and emotional impacts of religious experiences.

17/03/2023 O 2 corporale (group)religous experiences 1. Toronto blessing whirling Densh 3 Tourdes Petersonteral reasons religous belief" def

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Characteristics of Religious and Mystical Experiences

This page explores the defining features of religious and mystical experiences, offering a deeper understanding of these profound spiritual encounters.

Four Ways to Define Religious Experiences:

  1. Ineffability: Often beyond words
  2. Noetic quality: Knowledge gained about God or revelation
  3. Transiency: Experience is not lasting but has a lasting effect on the person
  4. Passivity: No control, feeling taken over or consumed

Definition: Mysticism is the direct knowledge of God, spiritual truth, or ultimate reality revealed through a subjective personal experience.

Types of Mysticism:

  1. Soul mysticism: Finding the soul, complete self-fulfillment
  2. Nature mysticism: Belief that God is immanent in nature
  3. God mysticism: Soul's desire to return to their immortal, infinite Ground (God)

Two Approaches to Mysticism:

  1. Mysticism of love and union: Need to be part of something bigger than ourselves
  2. Mysticism of knowledge and understanding: Need to find answers to the secrets of the universe

Example: A mystical religious experience might involve a sense of unity with the divine or a profound insight into the nature of reality.

F.C. Happold's Three Aspects of Mystical Experience: (Details not provided in the transcript)

Highlight: Because religious experiences are seen as unusual, some conclude they may be illusions or the result of our minds playing tricks on us.

17/03/2023 O 2 corporale (group)religous experiences 1. Toronto blessing whirling Densh 3 Tourdes Petersonteral reasons religous belief" def

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Critiques of Religious Experiences

This page presents various critiques of religious experiences from psychological and physiological perspectives, challenging their validity and origin.

Psychological Critiques:

  • Feuerbach's view:

    Quote: "Religion is an illusion, a fiction people mistake for reality."

    • Humans project their wishes onto God due to feeling alienated in their own lives
    • If people were able to reach their potential, there would be no need for religion

  • Freud's perspective:

    Definition: Freud described religion as an "obsessional neurosis" that cushions us from harsh realities.

    • Religion is a psychological phenomenon
    • Belief in God is an obsessional neurosis that religion satisfies
    • Freud's model of the mind: Id (human instincts), Ego (shaped by external influences), and Superego (human reason)

Example: Praying five times a day in Islam could be seen as an obsessional behavior that satisfies religious needs, according to Freud's theory.

Physiological Explanations:

  • The "God helmet" experiment by Persinger
  • Factors that may influence religious experiences:
    • Drugs
    • Alcohol
    • Tiredness
    • Illness
    • Fasting

Highlight: These critiques suggest that religious experiences may have natural explanations rooted in psychology or physiology, rather than supernatural origins.

This page encourages critical thinking about the nature and validity of religious experiences, presenting alternative explanations for these profound spiritual encounters.

17/03/2023 O 2 corporale (group)religous experiences 1. Toronto blessing whirling Densh 3 Tourdes Petersonteral reasons religous belief" def

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Religious Experiences: Types, Characteristics, and Critiques

Religious experiences are encounters with the divine that can profoundly impact an individual's spiritual journey and beliefs. This page introduces various types of religious experiences and provides examples from different contexts.

Definition: A religious experience is one where a person has or believes they have had an encounter with God, resulting in a revelation or new knowledge about the divine.

Group Religious Experiences:

  1. Toronto Blessing
  2. Whirling Dervish
  3. Lourdes

Personal Testimonies:

  1. Numinous experiences
  2. St. Teresa of Avila
  3. St. Bernadette

Highlight: The Principle of Credulity suggests that testimonies should be taken at face value unless there is significant evidence to prove them wrong.

Richard Swinburne's categorization of personal testimonies:

  1. Experience of God through common, public, sensory objects
  2. Experience of God through unusual, public, sensory objects
  3. Experience of God through private sensations described in normal sensory language
  4. Experience of God through private sensations that cannot be described in normal sensory language
  5. Experience of God not mediated by any sensations

Example: St. Teresa of Avila's vision of Christ at her side is an example of a private, indescribable religious experience.

The page also mentions the conversion of Saul to St. Paul as a significant religious experience example in Christianity.

Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.

Students love us — and so will you.

4.9/5

App Store

4.8/5

Google Play

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user