Mystical Religious Experiences (America, pray, God, religion, prayer)

[Rex]

How can one debate that these do not provide existence for god? I am preassuming that God is supernatural.

[Master Vigil]

Some may say mystical experiences are simply different ways that the brain works. They have been able to pinpoint the section of the brain that becomes active during deep meditation or prayer, and are sometimes with the right amount of electrical stimulation to that section, induce a mystical experience. Thus, being that your assumption that god is supernatural, we have discovered mystical experiences are not supernatural. So a natural experience is not proof of a supernatural being.

[Rex]

What do you mean mystical experiences are not supernatural? Can you point to that info.

[cfer]

Well, I can't speak for anyone else, but I've never had any mystical religious experiences. Maybe if I had, I would be able to say that it's proof of God.

I've always wanted a mystical experience for that very reason...I wanted proof of God. But no amount of yearning and searching has brought it about. So I would have to say there's no proof for God through mystical experiences.

[cfer]

What about people high on drugs? Many people have said they have experienced something mystical while high. Does that mean God speaks to people who are under the influence?

Peote is used in religious ceremonies for Native Americans. From what I understand, it's also a strong hallucinogen. Couldn't that be compared to a mystical experience? (Forgive me if I am mistaken about its use in Native American religion. I am willing to be corrected if I am wrong. )

[Lightkeeper]

What do you call a "mystical experience"?

[Master Vigil]

Well Rex. Since it has been discovered to be a function of the brain, and not a "supernatural being". The brain is natural, and thus mystical experiences are natural. Cfer brings up another good point, mystical experiences as a mojority are brought upon by use of drugs, fasting, asceticism, etc... So many can claim it is simply due to the physical and mental strain upon the person that makes them hallucinate, or have "mystical experiences." I think pah posted a thread about the scientiest stimulating that part of the brain to induce the experiences. I can't find it though.

[cfer]

I would say there are quite a few things that could be considered a mystical experience, but I guess my overall feeling of a mystical experience would be something where you would feel a greater power is in control and feeling a connection to that greater power.

Things I would consider a mystical experience:
- divine intervention
- visions
- interaction with angels/other supernatural beings
- out of body experiences
- a connectedness to a higher consciousness
- a connectedness to all humanity
- ESP

I don't believe this to be a definitive list, but those are some of the things I would consider a mystical experience.

[Master Vigil]

Mystics are those that claim to "see" god in everyday things. To notice the presence of the divine in everything. So for a mystic, a sunset is a mystical experience.

[Rex]

YOu can easily object to the drug thing by saying God only reveals himself to who he wants, maybe he just wants to reveal to them.