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Explain how a religious experience can lead to a belief in God?
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Firstly what do we mean by "religious". In the English language, the word "religious" is really derived from the Latin verb ligare. The root meaning is to tie oneself with bonds. A religion is a belief system where one ties oneself down by the dictates of that particular order. If the order is Buddhism, one follows its rules. If the Order is Judasim, one follows the rules of the Torah, Mishnah, Talmud etc. Roman Catholics follow the orders set by the Pope. Masons follow the rules of the particular rite they support. A lot of secular people, i.e., not normally thought to be religious, are also religious because they usually follow a set of rules or ethics, perhaps those set by their employer or national authority (Government).
Under this definition, a religious experience is whatever someone experiences following a set of rules for daily living. Trances, emotional responses, or perhaps dreams and visions might seem to be 'religious experiences' but many other factors could be happening in these situations so it is not clear they are "religious experiences".
Belief in God depends on what one means by "God". Buddhism does not hold to belief in God. Jewish people who follow the rules of Torah etc., do so because they already have some belief in God. Likewise, Roman Catholics usually have some belief that leads them to follow the rules of the Vatican. Masons believe that by leading decent moral lives they will not fall foul of the Creator or Great Architect.
In Christianity, belief in God comes from an action on God's part that the individual responds to. The Holy Spirit of God convicts a person into believing that Jesus came to be a man amongst us, take the punishment for our sin on the Cross and resurrect so that we too may have eternal life in Him. Here the 'religious experience' is something that really comes from God not from our own action or initiative. There is some aspect of response on our part. When one understands and believes that Jesus did die in one's place for one's sins, and did resurrect to bring each believer into an eternal relationship with God the Creator it is actually "belief" that leads to the 'religious experience' not the 'religious experience' leading to belief.
Nor is it really a 'religious experience' according to the definition above. In a colloquial or metaphoric sense it might be described as 'religious' but the experience is really God's Holy Spirit convicting a person of his or her sinfulness, need for repentance and turning to Jesus as Saviour. Jesus said "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father but through me". Obviously, this is either true or false. If it is true, a religious experience cannot lead to a belief in God. People who live their lives under a set of rules, or who come under a 'religious experience' cannot come to a belief in God.
If Jesus' statement is not true, then someone else will have to take up the answer.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
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How can religious experiences lead to belief in god?
It confirms what you already knew in your heart to be true
Explain how the argument from causation may lead to belief in god?
Causation may lead to belief in God because people who believe in God believe he does not need a cause so he started the cause and effect chain.
How religious experience help christiams to believe in god?
A religious experience helps Christians to believe in God by affirming the fact that God does exist. For example - if you pray to God and your prayers are answered, you are apt to believe in God more. If you witness what appears to be a miracle, you are more likely to believe in God. If you narrowly escape death or an accident you may believe that God was looking out for you. Talking to other Christians about their religious experience(s) help to confirm the fact that God really does exist. Perhaps a visitation from a dead ancestor may strengthen your belief in an afterlife, thus helping you to believe in God. Many experiences may not be religious in nature, but yet may have overtones that lead you back to a belief in God.
What are opinions about how God is a belief?
OpinionReligious belief leads one to have faith there is God and religious belief is the unquestioning acceptance of a religious dogma in the absence of proof. God requires faith. The essence of religious belief is faith.OpinionOn the other hand, there is no evidence that supports God is only a "belief." Religious belief leads one to have faith there is God, but belief in God can also lead one to seek religion. Religious fundamentalists may rely on dogma in the absence of proof when it comes to believing in God, but atheists also hold a BELIEF in the non-existence of God by employing no less dogma. Believing that God exists in the absence of direct observable evidence obviously requires faith. No one can say for sure what is the "essence" of religious faith when faith itself varies from person to person.
Who is the presenter of evidence of the paranormal?
In a typical case it can be anyone who is strongly tied to the investigation. Usually it is is the lead investigator, or the lead researcher. Basically anyone who has the people skills and the experience in investigations to explain how the evidence was attained.
When do you know that you believe in god?
There is intellectual belief in God, and there is emotional belief in God. One can read religious manuscripts, religious fiction and nonfiction, and various tracts provided by various religious institutions, giving the characteristics of their beliefs. Reading and agreeing with these religious publications and their tenets and beliefs could bring one to an intellectual belief in God. However, there is also emotional belief in God, which is supported not only by intellectual belief, but also an impassioned, strongly emotional personal belief in him. It has been said that no one can be brought to genuine belief in God by a theory, that true belief must be through personal experience or personal belief, supported and enforced by some sort of encounter with God, or your sense or feeling of his presence with you, or your sense of love from him and his closeness to you. One could attend religious services from kindergarten through old age but still not necessarily become close to God. If a person feels he is not genuinely close to God, then he should continuously read his religious books and attend services and associate with peers whom you know to be true believers and followers of God. Pray continually. When you pray, ask God to lead you to a genuine closeness and personal belief in him and in his son Jesus Christ. Jesus said, "Seek, and you shall find. Knock, and the door shall be opened to you." Don't necessarily expect a divine miracle. The exact time when you come to believe in God might not be apparent, but when you feel his presence and his love with you, then you know that you do believe in him. Pray that God will guide you to become even closer to him and that he will lead and direct you to know and do his will, to help your fellow men, and to study and advance in his word, being always pleasing and obeying to him.
What are lead pencils made out of?
The lead in pencils are not made out of lead, as is common belief. Pencil lead is made out of graphite.
How do you you make belief plural?
Singular: It is my belief that the answer is God. Plural: My beliefs lead me to trust in God.
Who can lead a religious group?
you cannot
Can a Christian upbringing lead to or support belief in God?
no
Spartan Kings had little power except to?
Lead the Army and conducting religious services. Lead the Army and conducting religious services.
How did the belief in logic and reason lead to social sciences during the enlightenment?
The belief in logic and reason during the Enlightenment led to a shift in thinking towards utilizing empirical evidence and systematic observation to study human behavior and society. This emphasis on critical thinking and scientific inquiry laid the foundation for the development of the social sciences such as sociology, psychology, and anthropology. Scholars sought to understand and explain human behavior through a rational and methodical approach, marking a departure from traditional religious or philosophical explanations.
