Keep in mind that there are different kinds of religious experiences. I am talking about the kind where someone believes they have had a direct experience with a spiritual being of some kind.
Theists of whatever kind, how do you regard the experiences of people in other religions? Do you judge them by a different standard than the religious experiences people have in your own religion? Why?
Atheists, I know that others' religious experiences would hold no proof for *you*, just as a Christian's religious experience would not be proof for a Pagan. However, do you automatically assume that people who have them are simply hallucinating (and is that really fair?), or do you allow that perhaps they just might be perceiving a valid reality, even if their experience wouldn't be sufficient proof for anybody outside of themselves? Why?
2007-11-10 02:07:46 · 12 answers · asked by kriosalysia 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
A religious experience is a personal experience and if it truly meant something to the person experiencing it then that person's life should be transformed. A true "religious" experience should inspire one to be a better person in all aspects of that persons life, regardless of whether anyone else believes this person. Another person believing is or should be irrelevant. (sp?)
2007-11-10 06:38:28 · answer #1 · answered by gigilunadragon 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
People tune in differently to the spiritually. They will have different religious experiences, because these experiences are affected by their belief system. The spiritual realm is strongly affected by beliefs. Spiritual structures can be created, and intermediary spirits to connect to God can come into being, because a lot of people believe. People of a particular belief system, will use their own spiritual structures, along with their intermediary spirit or spirits, when they have a particular religious experience. God works through a lot of different devices, man creates spiritually, they all may not work as well, but they all work to a degree.
2007-11-10 02:29:59 · answer #2 · answered by astrogoodwin 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
"God is within man - man is within God."
God shows no favoritism regarding the nature of the religion.
Faith is the only measuring device!
Each human throughout their life is afforded Mystical Experiences. This depends upon the consciousness they are in at the time of the Mystical Experience.
These are given freely to man depending upon what is needed at that stage of life.
Each humans experience of these is different. The methods of how these are chosen is undefined, yet they happen.
If a human has gained clarity within their life, these may occur or unfold very rapidly!
These are given to human beings as a sign of the reality of Faith from the Creator (God).
"Peace be always with you"
2007-11-10 02:41:07 · answer #3 · answered by WillRogerswannabe 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yogis speak of superconsciousness or being of one consciousness with the Ultimate Reality (God). Taoists speak of forming a spiritual fetus psychically. Christians speak of reaching out to God, in the company of Jesus' spirit and basking in inexplicable glory. That's it; inexplicable. In my case, it was after a very tiring hike. I laid down and felt as though I was the mountain, the trees and everything. It was blissful. I never take drugs. The closest I can compare is going through general anaesthesia but very much awake.
2007-11-10 02:17:57 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Any religious experience..THE religious experience can only be judged and interpreted by the person that has experienced it. It is far to real and personal to have someone that could never understand, tell you in one form or other that you are "nuts"..How could someone appreciate a symphony if they never heard one.
2007-11-10 02:15:55 · answer #5 · answered by PROBLEM 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Spiritual experiences are different for everyone...and all are valid forms of accepting spiritual guidance from a higher power.
I would never seek to discredit anothers experiences, for those are the things that make us who we are and help to strengthen our faith and belief...not only in the god of our understanding, but in humanity itself...
blessings to you...
i hope you find what it is you seek...
)o( trintiy
2007-11-10 02:16:42 · answer #6 · answered by trinity 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like it to me. Upon the solid rock of Jesus. I once had a dream 30 years ago or so that Jesus was talking with me and sitting on a rock. So that is interesting. He started to walk away but turned around and said Be ready for I am comng soon. Your dream is a message to you directly from Jesus. It shows how much he loves us.
2016-04-03 05:35:59 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They're brain products, nothing more. See God spot of the brain by Matthew Alper; Why God won't go away by Andrew Newberg and books by Michael Persinger.
2007-11-10 02:14:28 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think they've experienced something within their mind and further I think with a bit of research and observation it could be explained as well as anything we know.
2007-11-10 02:16:07 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
When someone is up against the wall, and doesn't know what to do, he'll claim a religious experience to get away from it all.
But really, you can lie to everybody, but you can't relly lie to yourself.
2007-11-10 02:13:01 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋