Key learning points

1. People may have religious experiences that confirm their current beliefs or convert them to a new religious outlook.
2. Ian McCormack was an atheist who had a near death experience and became a Christian.
3. Following his near death experience and conversion, he has dedicated his life to spreading Christianity.
4. Richard Swinburne argues the role of credulity and testimony support the validity of religious experiences.
5. Philosophers may argue that whether his experience can be proven is less significant than the impact it has had.

Keywords

• Conversion - a complete transformation, often involving a change in worldview, such as adopting a new religious belief

• Ian McCormack - a man who converted to Christianity after having a near death experience

• Near death experience (NDE) - a transformative experience often involving visions, feelings of peace or encounters with a higher power, typically reported by those who have been close to death

• Richard Swinburne - a philosopher who argues that religious experiences should be taken as evidence for the existence of God

Common misconception