discussion question

• Is personal testimony or witness enough to support the validity of religious experience?

  • can't be tested by others - thus unreliable as you can't recreate them even if they speak convincingly of it
  • principle of testimony - Caroline frank Davis say it only applies if trivial
  • william james - only effective if long lasting
  • russell - good moral effect upon a man is no evidence of truth
• Can corporate religious experiences be considered more reliable or valid than individual experiences?

  • corporate religious experiences - more evidence but open to peer pressure
  • Medjugorje - same vision as they have been bought up the same
• Does religious experience provide a basis for belief in God or a greater power?

  • many believe religious experiences are only authoritative if you have them - only those who have had the experience are totally convinced
  • it is totally unique, individual -> different interpretations -- culture and the predisposition ot believe in God
  • naturalistic interpretation of religious God - stems from illness -- hallucinations
  • makes himself known to the individual
• Galatians 5: 22-23

  But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy peace and forbearance