the spark of Brahman or spirit within all living beings

philosopher who argues for religious pluralism

conflicting religious experiences challenge the idea they can prove the existence of God

someone who believes that different religions are paths to understanding the same divine truth

Atman: the divine within all

Religious education

William James and mystical experience

Persinger's God helmet

Ian McCormack and near death experience

St Bernadette of Lourdes

Sufism and connecting with Allah

In this unit pupils investigate the idea of religious experience. They start with the ideas of William James before  examining case studies from history and Christian, Islamic and Hindu worldviews.

Knowing God: does religious experience prove God exists?

In Hindu Dharma, religious experience is recognising atman, the true self, as the divine within, connected to ...

In Dvaita Vedanta, atman and Brahman are considered to be ...

Which of the following is true in Advaita Vedanta?

Atman is seen as a temporary, mortal entity in Hinduism.

Atman lives on as an individual in heaven after death.

Atman is considered eternal and divine, not just a personal soul.

Atman is not connected to Brahman in Hinduism.

Which of the following statements challenges the idea that atman is the same as the soul in other religions?

Religious experiences are subjective and cannot prove God's existence.

Conflicting religious experiences challenge the proof of one specific God.

All religions ultimately point to the same divine truth.

The divine can only be experienced through personal revelation.

John Hick’s {{}} hypothesis suggests different religious experiences interpret the same truth.

by using brain scans to observe religious experiences

by reading sacred texts from various religions

by interviewing and reading personal accounts of people from different religions

by attending different religious ceremonies

How did William James research religious experiences?

What do Ian McCormack and St Bernadette of Lourdes have in common?

What does mysticism emphasise in its approach to connecting with God?

What is the mystical tradition within Islam known as?

Which of the following best describes Brahman in Hindu Dharma?

Hindus believe that every living being has an {{}} that is eternal.

Atman: the divine within all

Lesson outcome