Religious Experiences

Alister Hardy was an English marine biologist who set up the Religious Experience research Init in Oxford. This was to look into the extent and the nature of religious experiences.

His research demonstrates a whole variety of experiences.

He defined a religious experiences as such: 'affect the person's view of the world. It alters behaviour and changes attitude'.

Aquinas said that faith, in terms of the Christian faith was rational. Many people believe faith to be made up of two different types.

Belief-that and belief-in.

Belief that is a statement such as 'I believe that in Sikhism, the first Guru is Guru Nanak.' This is a statement that makes claims that are objectively true and fact.

Belief-in however is a statement such as 'I believe in Jesus. It extends beyond the physical world with implication s of trust

Often the change from belief-that to belief-in is brought about through a person's own religious experience or through hearing of another person's testimony.

Religious experience lead to faith and faith in turn leads to more religious experiences.

Revelation:

A revelation is where the divine, or the ultimate truth, becomes known to humanity.

Any type of religious experience can become a revelation

This revealed truth can be through direct contact with God or indirectly.

An example is Moses receiving the 10 commandments and the Law on Mount Sinai.

Value for community.

AFFIRMS BELIEF SYSTEM

Usually, in each faith, there is a pivotal figure who started the religion off.

They would have experienced a significant event that marked the start of their ministry.

For example, the angel Gabriel appearing to Muhammad and his recitation of the verses that would eventually become the Qur'an.

God confirms their appointment and ministry. For the followers, this convinces them that the person is appointed and affirms their role and status.

PROMOTION OF A FAITH VALUE SYSTEM

Religious Experience can be seen as the source of revealing ethical standards.

Moses in Judaism is called the 'lawgiver' because he was given the Law by God.

They provide moral guidance and tell the believer what is acceptable.

STRENGTHENING COHESION OF A COMMUNITY

The whole religious community remembering a past experience in turn strengthens religious cohesion. It can also allow for further religious experiences.

FESTIVALS:

The festive of Passover remembers the freeing of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. The Seder meal helps to strengthen cohesion in the community through retelling of the story. This does not just look back but involves the whole community in looking forwards in hope.

PRESENT DAY WORSHIP

Religious texts can act like a trigger for religious experiences The gathering of the whole community for Sabbath prayers strengthen cohesion. The recitation of the creed or the Shema allows the reformation of faith and the strengthening of faith as a community.

For an individual

Religious experiences can be faith restoring. Often a beliver might be gong through hard time. Being with members of the community can help to restore their faith. Reading sacred texts may also provide reassurance or hope.

Religious experiences can strengthen faith in times of opposition.

Lastly, religious experiences can renew commitment to religious ideal and doctrines. An example this would be an initiation ceremony such as confirmation. A confirmation ceremony is a religious experience that allows a believer to renew the promises that were made on their behalf and commit fully to the Christian faith.