Support from worldwide religions who believe that it is possible to loose one's sense of self and experience God
Strengths of Mysticism
Does not attempt to limit God in human language, upholding the logical framework of classical theism
Strengths of Mysticism
James gives a clear framework for identifying religious experiences with his criteria, making it easier to understand
Weaknesses of Mysticism
These experiences are by nature mysterious and cannot be understood in a realist way
Weaknesses of Mysticism
Hume/Occams Razor - there are more likely explanations for these feelings that God is involved in the world. External factors such as TLE and drugs could also be involved and cause these states
Weaknesses of Mysticism
James accepts drugs as causing religious experiences when these experiences are clearly caused by hallucinogenic substances
