Monday 29 September 2014

What is the Argument from religious experience for the existence of God?

Aim: To explain what it is this argument and its problems

Key words: supernatural – experience – miraculous – Pentecostal – sacramental – Holy Communion – Eucharist – St Paul


To do List:
Create a power point or word doc with the following:

A fact file from the research about Religious Experiences. Include definition, types of religious experience and explain in detail (see main points).
Research and create a fact file about St Paul’s religious experience AND from the list below*
Write down the problems of this argument.
Simple Definition: The Argument from religious experience for the existence of God is the argument which proves the existence of God experiencing personally God.
It can occur to either an individual or a group of people.

     Types of religious experiences
  • Communicating with God through prayer and meditation
  • Feeling God’s presence in worship
  • Feeling the presence of God in nature
  • Experiencing a conversion 
  • Involvement in a miraculous event

Main points:

Explain how people can communicate with God through prayer and meditation
Explain how people can feel God’s presence in worship

Explain what “Pentecostal worship” is

Explain what “sacramental worship” is

Explain what Holy Communion is

Explain what is "feeling the presence of God in nature". 

Explain what is "experiencing a conversion".
Read the account of the conversion of St Paul in Acts 9:1-22

*Research about the religious experience of :The Buddha - Guru Nanak - Mahatma Ghandi - Prophet Muhammad

Try past paper question 2012 Q3 and Q4 here