a religious experience where someone feels a deep personal connection to a higher power

a philosophical approach that assesses ideas based on their usefulness in real-life situations

personal feeling or moment when someone believes they connect with a higher power

20th century psychologist and philosopher who popularised pragmatism

William James and mystical experience

Religious education

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?

A type of religious experience where someone feels a deep personal connection to a higher power is usually known as a {{}} experience.

Which of the following is not a source William James used when evaluating religious experiences?

a philosophy that judges ideas by their usefulness

a philosophy that emphasises spiritual beliefs

Which of the following of William James' characteristics of mystical experiences means they convey deep and profound knowledge?

A belief in the power of logic and reason to justify faith.

A strong desire to prove religious beliefs through scientific evidence.

The act of doubting all beliefs until absolute proof is found.

The decision to accept a belief without proof when it benefits us.

What was the key message of William James' lecture titled 'The Will to Believe'?

Yes, he believed religious experiences were a form of scientific proof of God.

Yes, he believed they provide personal support for a belief in God.

No, he thought they were all in the mind.

Yes, he thought they were direct evidence of God's existence.

Did William James think religious experiences support the existence of God?

What is the word for an acceptance that something is true without having to have proof?

facts or information that support an idea

How should this sentence be completed: A person's way of understanding, experiencing and responding to the world is usually known as a ...

Which word describes a message or information passed on by a supernatural being?

{{ }} refers to believing something strongly, often without requiring proof.

A person feeling a deep sense of peace and connection to God during prayer or meditation could be described as having a {{ }} experience.

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

William James and mystical experience

Lesson outcome

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.