Religious experiences
For people who have these experiences, the phenomena have authority and convince them that their religious
beliefs are true: sometimes even causing peoples beliefs to change.
There are a variety of religious experiences, including:
o Mystical experiences-use to describe experiences of direct contact or
oneness with God or ultimate reality.
o Conversion experiences-used to describe an experience that leads to an
adoption of a new religious belief that differs from a previously held
belief.
o Visions-used to describe experience of God or another religious figure
appearing with a message.
o Voices-used to describe experience of hearing God or another religious
figure or having a conversation with them.
o Prayer-used to describe the experience of communicating with God or a
higher power through the medium of prayer.
31% of British people and 35% of
For many people throughout
Americans have had an
history the strongest
experience that they might
demonstration of the existence of
consider religious.
God comes from personal
They can produce a change in
experience.
both behaviour and attitudes-
including a sense of altruism,
increased self-esteem and a
, Types of religious experience: direct and indirect
Direct religious experiences
o refer to cases where a person encounters God in a direct way.
o The account of Paul on the road to Damascus where he meets the risen
Jesus, who then communicates with him. This is an example of direct
experience because it is an event where God reveals himself to the
person having the event. It isn’t willed or chosen by the person.
Indirect religious experience
o refers to experiences, thoughts or feelings about God that are prompted
by events in daily life.
o For example, observing the sunrise and having thoughts about the
greatness of God the creator. Acts of prayer are thought of as indirect
experience.
For people who have these experiences, the phenomena have authority and convince them that their religious
beliefs are true: sometimes even causing peoples beliefs to change.
There are a variety of religious experiences, including:
o Mystical experiences-use to describe experiences of direct contact or
oneness with God or ultimate reality.
o Conversion experiences-used to describe an experience that leads to an
adoption of a new religious belief that differs from a previously held
belief.
o Visions-used to describe experience of God or another religious figure
appearing with a message.
o Voices-used to describe experience of hearing God or another religious
figure or having a conversation with them.
o Prayer-used to describe the experience of communicating with God or a
higher power through the medium of prayer.
31% of British people and 35% of
For many people throughout
Americans have had an
history the strongest
experience that they might
demonstration of the existence of
consider religious.
God comes from personal
They can produce a change in
experience.
both behaviour and attitudes-
including a sense of altruism,
increased self-esteem and a
, Types of religious experience: direct and indirect
Direct religious experiences
o refer to cases where a person encounters God in a direct way.
o The account of Paul on the road to Damascus where he meets the risen
Jesus, who then communicates with him. This is an example of direct
experience because it is an event where God reveals himself to the
person having the event. It isn’t willed or chosen by the person.
Indirect religious experience
o refers to experiences, thoughts or feelings about God that are prompted
by events in daily life.
o For example, observing the sunrise and having thoughts about the
greatness of God the creator. Acts of prayer are thought of as indirect
experience.
