What do you think OTHER religions are mistaking for spiritual experiences?

Question

When someone of another faith says that they've met, walked with, talked to, or felt the power of a god/spirit that contradicts with your understanding of the supernatural, are they lying? Delusional? Mistaken?

Answer 1

All the above. Yes. Satan is very powerful in his powers of deception, the fact that people do not believe that he exist, or is responsible for it is another deception, in of itself.

Answer 2

In my philosophy, there is no problem at all with different people having essentially contradictory experiences, even within the same religion/order/ceremony.

I consider spiritual experiences to be inherently subjective, and not quantifiable or qualifiable in objective reality.

Thus, the subjective aspects of reality cannot be "proven" or "unproven" any more than one can "prove" pepperoni pizza tastes "better" than chicken curry.

To me, the only conflict comes about when one tries to insist their subjective experience carries more weight than another's, or when one mistakes that experience for objective reality.

If this is not clear:
Some people go to movies for light entertainment; some go seeking something deep, thought provoking, or moving, but do not mistake the movie for reality; some peopel become such fanatics they argue about what characters X and Y would do as if they were real (such as some of my fellow science fiction/fantasy fans); but only the divorced-from-reality assume that all movies are "real."

Answer 3

I believe many people mistaken reading (and memorizing) and book is Spiritual. That somehow reading a book (or books) suddenly means they experienced everything in it. It really annoys me when they try to claim they are Witness to what the book says. Unless they are trying to tell me they are reincarnated, I just don't see that one happening. Sometimes I wish people would just break down and buy one book that I feel would help everyone out immensely.... It's called a dictionary. Because claiming to be a Witness means you saw it with your own eyes or you experienced it yourself.... NOT that you read it in a book.

As for something that contradicts with my own understanding... it depends on where it's coming from. If it's someone I feel is intelligent and at least sincere (NOT an emotional fanatic), I'll hear them out. If it's the "emotional fanatic" who thinks just because they feel good that day it means their God is hugging them or something, then I tend to avoid conversations of that type with them.

Answer 4

Why isn't it just possible that they are not mistaken, or lying, delusional or guilty of anything else? Why is it not possible that they are being truthful? All people have the right to their own belief system. It may be that due to their belief that they are privy to experiences that are denied you due to your own belief system.
peace

Answer 5

God wears many masks...all spiritual experiences are valid. But the real question is what understanding has come from the experiences.

~ Eric Putkonen

Answer 6

Everybody has the ability to receive promptings from the Holy Spirit regardless of their religious affiliation.

Answer 7

I do believe those who practice other faiths have spiritual experiences. The thing that concerns me is the source of those experiences.

Answer 8

Who am I to say they didn't experience something. Unless of course they are along the lines of Marshall Applewhite or Jimmy Jones.

Answer 9

Your arrogance is astonishing. Why do you assume that everyone else is wrong? The greatest block to growth is assuming you know everything - closer to the truth is that we all know nothing.

Answer 10

everyone has that right to choose what they believe , whether its allah, god , buddah, or a box of corn flakes. it doesn't make them wrong for what they believe