Religious Experience Edexcel A Level

a posteriori, inductive

a priori, deductive

a priori, inductive

a posteriori, deductive

a direct encounter with God is the best proof of his existence

experiencing the beauty of our world is the best proof of his existence

observing that God created the universe is the best proof of his existence

the definition of God is the best proof of his existence

If an omnibenenvolent, omnipotent God exists, then he would wish to interact with his creatures.

If an omnibenevolent, omnipotent God exists, then he would not let his creatures suffer.

If an omnibenevolent, omnipotent God exists, then he would promise us a place in heaven.

ineffability (unable to express the experience in normal language)

noetic quality (revealed truths)

the ultimate (encountering the ultimate being)

wholeness (complete in presence of being)

passivity (outside of the control of the person)

numinous meaning (a sense or taste for the infinite)

finite and infinite (aware that you, the finite, are encountering the infinite)

transcience (short experience)

absolute dependence (dependent on being)

the ultimate (encountering the ultimate being)

wholeness (complete in presence of being)

finite and infinite (aware that you, the finite, are in the presence of the infinite)

absolute dependence (dependent on the being)

ineffability (cannot express the experience in normal language)

noetic quality (revealed truths)

transcience (short experience)

passivity (outside of the control of the person)

Draws an analogous link between the attributes found in creation and the attributes of God to prove that God must exist because he created us.

Draws an analogous link between the everyday experience and our experience of God to prove that God must exist because it is possible and probable to experience him.

Draws an analogous link between the beauty that exists in nature and the omnibenevolence of God to prove that God must exist because it is possible and probable.

Swinburne argues that it is a basic principle of rationality that we should believe people when they have an experience of God. We should believe that things are as they appear to be and trust our senses. Swinburne says "If it seems to a subject that X is present, then probably X is present". Swinburne acknowledges that sometimes people are mistaken, but that doesn't mean we should rule out every religious experience.

Swinburne argues that it is a basic principle of rationality that we shouldn't believe people when they have an experience of God. We shouldn't believe that things are as they appear to be and trust our senses. Swinburne says "If it seems to a subject that X is present, then probably X isn't present". Swinburne acknowledges that sometimes people are mistaken, and that does mean we should rule out every religious experience.

Swinburne argues that people usually tell the truth and unless we have good reason not to, we should believe the testimony of other people. We cannot doubt everything that people say to us, nor should we immediately doubt someone who claims to have had a religious experience.

Swinburne argues that people usually don'tt ell the truth and unless we have good reason not to, we shouldn't believe the testimony of other people. We can doubt everything that people say to us, and should we immediately doubt someone who claims to have had a religious experience.

Swinburne argues that it is a basic principle of rationality that we should believe people when they have an experience of God. We should believe that things are as they appear to be and trust our senses. Swinburne says "If it seems to a subject that X is present, then probably X is present". Swinburne acknowledges that sometimes people are mistaken, but that doesn't mean we should rule out every religious experience.

Swinburne argues that it is a basic principle of rationality that we shouldn't believe people when they have an experience of God. We shouldn't believe that things are as they appear to be and trust our senses. Swinburne says "If it seems to a subject that X is present, then probably X isn't present". Swinburne acknowledges that sometimes people are mistaken, and that does mean we should rule out every religious experience.

Swinburne argues that people usually tell the truth and unless we have good reason not to, we should believe the testimony of other people. We cannot doubt everything that people say to us, nor should we immediately doubt someone who claims to have had a religious experience.

Swinburne argues that people usually don'tt ell the truth and unless we have good reason not to, we shouldn't believe the testimony of other people. We can doubt everything that people say to us, and should we immediately doubt someone who claims to have had a religious experience.

Cannot be subjected to Ayer's Verification Principle. Gale agrees with this view as well.

Wittgenstein's 'seeing-as': If we are religious, we are likely to view the world in a religious way. Therefore, our experiences are automatically tainted with religion. Thus the argument loses credibility across all fields.

Martin: Many people sense the absence of God. This could be used as an argument against God's existence since there is proof that he doesn't exist.

Consider the critiques of religious belief (psychological and sociological). Religious experiences could just be a form of Freud's wish fulfilment or a manifestation to comfort our emotional needs.

Critics of religious experience cannot come up with any decisive evidence to explain the experience. God appears as the simplest explanation and as Ockham's Razor says, the simplest answer is often the best answer.

The shared criteria (Schleiermacher, James and Otto) of religious experiences adds validity to religious experience because despite the different faiths and beliefs, there are shared qualities.

Swinburne's Cumulative Case for God's existence has credibility because it draws together a variety of evidence across our world for God's existence.

For the religious believer, this is a strong case since it draws out qualities from human nature, such as trusting our senses and trusting other people (Credulity and Testimony)