religious experience

• there are 3 types of religious experience:

  • visions
  • numinous experiences
  • mystical experiences
• influence of religious experiences:

  • can be foundational e.g. Abraham had a religious experience which led to the founding of Judaism, Islam + Christianity
  • are inspirational: convince others that faith is worth standing up for e.g. Joan of Arc
  • are at the heart of the experience of pilgrimage e.g. Bernadette of Lourdes + founding the pilgrimage centre at Lourdes where annual no. of pilgrims is 5m
  • are life-changing: development of empathy, hope, courage; "energetic zest for life" (James); e.g. C.S. Lewis conversion
• value of religious experiences for religious faith:

  • foundational, inspirational + life-changing
  • confirm faith