What is a religious experience?

Religious Experience

• Potential ‘A’ question

• “What is a religious experience?”

• “An event that people feel gives them direct contact with God.” OR

• “A powerful experience that draws you closer to God.”

So, what is a religious experience?

Different religious experiences:• Numinous – the feeling of the

presence of something greater than yourself

• Prayer – an attempt to communicate with God, usually through words

• Miracle – something which seems to break a law of science, to which the only answer is God

• Conversion – when your life is changed by giving yourself to God

Numinous:

• Feeling in the presence of God...

• Where would you feel in the presence of something greater than you?

• Looking up at the stars• In a church

Prayer:

• Attempting to contact God...

• Helps you build your relationship with God

• Feel God’s presence

Miracles:

• God performing acts that go against the laws of science

• Make you see God’s power

• Show you God must exist – due to God acting in the world

Conversion:

• Changing your life by dedicating it to God

• The most famous Biblical example of a conversion experience is the conversion of Saul to Paul...

Saul to Paul... • Saul was on the road to

Damascus, where he would persecute Christians

• God appeared to Saul in the form of a blinding light

• God said to Saul, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

• God revealed who he was to Saul, and then Saul became a new man – and changed his name to Paul

Paul• Paul then went into hiding,

because he was classed as a traitor by everyone who still hated Christians and Christianity

• After his time of hiding, he went to many different places spreading the word of God

• He made his way all the way to Italy telling people about Christianity

Miracles: • A miracle is an event which seems to break a

law of science and the only explanation seems to be God

• The wedding at Cana – Jesusturning into wine

• Jesus healing Jairus’ daughter• Mary appearing to St Bernadette

Potential Exam Questions:

• (A) What is a miracle? (2)

• (B) Do you think miracles prove that God exists? Give two reasons for your point of view (4)

• (C) Explain how religious experience can lead to, or support belief in God (8)

• (D) ‘Religious experiences prove that God exists’i) Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion (3)ii) Give reasons why some people may disagree with you (3)

Plenary:

• (C) Explain how religious experience can lead to, or support belief in God (8)

• Tips:• Use words like:• Because, therefore, this shows that.