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Challenge: No empirical evidence
We only have the word of the individual who claims to have had the experience as evidence.
Response: No empirical evidence
- Some are group experiences
- Evidenced through their effects, e.g. change in lifestyle / more spiritual outlook on life
- Swinburne's Principle of Testimony (we should believe experiencer unless there is reason not to).
Challenge: Subjective / private
Therefore they are "just in the mind".
Response: Subjective / private
- Doesn't make them false
- Cannot be proved true but it's reasonable to believe others when they describe what they usually feel / dream.
Challenge: Ineffable
Cannot be described, so there's nothing "real" to describe.
Response: Ineffable
If it conforms to the definition of a religious experience, it can be considered religious.
Challenge: Contradictory religious experiences
They cannot all be true.
Response: Contradictory religious experiences
- How humans understand religious experience = different from what the experiences actually are.
- Ultimate reality chooses what way to express themself to the individual.
Challenge: Extraordinary and rare
Makes them unbelievable, as all normal experience counts against them.
Response: Extraordinary and rare
Around 50% of people have had experiences, varying from general spiritual awareness to deep religious insights.
