Critically assess with reference to William James the arguments from religious experience. William James, in his book ‘The Varieties of Religious Experience: a study in human nature’ concludes that religious experiences are at the heart of religions whereas religious teachings, practices and attitudes are ‘second hand’ religion, and develop later as individuals reflect on their common experience. The experiences are true religion. William James aims to show that religious experiences are telling of some kind of divine order which transcends normal reality. James analysed a range of religious experiences, though in particular mystical experiences.
The Nature of Religion Kathy Legare rel/134 May 10 2012 University of Phoenix The Nature of Religion Describe the common elements of religion. An important element in a religion is to have a Supreme Being or person to worship. Where this supreme being(s) guides and teach people how to live. That does not help or hinder the control of the nature of mankind. (Johnson, 2009) There is an unwritten code that religions have that tells the believer how to live, how to bring more in to the religion and what do if the person does not want to believe.
Running head: BIBLICAL FOUNDATION Biblical Worldview and Curriculum Development Robin Jones Liberty University BIBLICAL FOUNDATION Biblical Worldview A personal worldview is a set of beliefs that are used to understand the world around us. Everyone is considered to have a worldview. They are a set of principles by which right or wrong are judged. We behave according to what we believe. We interpret reality by the basis of our worldview.
Let knowledge be a cosmic and complex structure, faith is the base for this structure for it provides fundamental assumptions and without these assumptions, the structure of knowledge will disintegrate. In the first Area of Knowledge religion, faith does play a pivotal role. Faith is an essential element that is mostly inseparable from the religion. An organized religion usually consists of a person’s relationship to that which they regard as holy, sacred,
This presents an issue with the moral and rational reasoning behind the deeds. It’s understood that the act is warranted by the divine and therefore the ethical is no longer in effect. The next term to define is the one that most of us would be familiar with and can relate to. If you’re a religious individual or have some faith in the ultimate, you might consider yourself labeled under this category. As previously stated, in order to be a KoF, you must be willing to nullify the ethical standards you are most accustomed to in order to comply to the declaration of God or any other divine or spiritual medium.
Worldview I. A worldview is defined as the way one sees the world. “Ken Hemphill in his book, Life Answers, says that “a worldview, whether Christian or secular, is the unifying perspective from which we organize our thinking about life, death, art, science, faith, learning, work, money, values, and morals. A worldview is our underlying philosophy of life.” Weider L. & Gutierrez B. (2013) p.58.
Christianity has organised its principal beliefs into a structured systematic theology in which it draws its sacred writings and traditions from. These principal beliefs include the divinity and humanity of Jesus Christ, the death and resurrection, the Trinity, revelation and salvation. Through the ethical and moral teachings of Christianity and characteristics of religions which consist of sacred texts and writings, rituals and ceremonies, beliefs and believers and ethics; these beliefs can be expressed and connected with the life of adherent’s. The divinity and humanity beliefs identify that Jesus Christ was both fully divine and human, and that he is the second being of the trinity. This intended that he was the divine Son of God and recognised as being ‘one with the Father’.
Christians are not meant to just follow the commandments and laws in the Bible, with a Christian Worldview Christians see the Bible “as God’s plan to reach man” (Weider and Gutierrez 70). Supporting Scripture References: John 17:20-26 and Romans 12:1-5 Part Two – Four: The Question of Morality The biblical/Christian Worldview believes that morality and ethics is based on what God has outlined for us in the Bible, the Special Revelation for Christians. Christianity believes that mankind is born sinful and is in need of redemption. The determination of right and wrong is based “upon God’s holy standard” (Weider and Gutierrez 72) rather than man’s concept of morality. Supporting Scripture References: Psalms 51:5 and Galatians 5:16-26 Part Two – Five: The Questions of Destiny The biblical/Christian Worldview believes in Heaven and Hell, these are their only two choices for eternity.
Paul Tillich argues against the literal theologians and the social scientists as well. He says that “religion has rediscovered its true place in man’s spiritual life, namely, in its depth, out of which it gives substance, ultimate meaning, judgment and creative courage to all functions of the human spirit.” (Tillich 9) In my opinion and it may be clouded by my religion, which is Christianity, is that God does exist and one will not
Religion and spirituality have been described as separate and distinct expressions (Wittink, Joo, Lewis, and Barg, 2009). Garfield, Isacco and Sahker (2013) define spirituality as “a subjective, mystical, and holistic interpretation of personal beliefs, and behaviors” (p.27). Boyd-Franklin (2010) stated, “Religion refers to a core set of beliefs and the formal practice of those beliefs through membership in a church or other faith-based institution. Spirituality, on the other hand, refers to belief in God, the Creator, or a High Power and the power of spiritual beliefs in one’s life” (p. 978). From these definitions, it can safely be said that a person can be spiritual and not be