Mystical experiences are usually associated with deity. That is, they are often called "experiences of god". But apparently, nontheists are among those who have had mystical experiences.
'Nontheists' include atheists and many agnostics, ietists, apatheists, and so forth. Some nontheists adjust their views to embrace theism following their mystical experience. Others remain nontheists. Some nontheists came about their experiences via pyschoactive drugs. Others via other means including spontaneously.*
PLEASE NOTE WELL: RF RULES PROHIBIT ENDORSING THE USE OF ILLEGAL SUBSTANCES, INCLUDING ILLEGAL PSYCHOACTIVE DRUGS. AND DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT CLAIMING TO HAVE DONE SUCH THINGS YOURSELF!
One conclusion that I believe can be safely drawn from this is that a belief in a god or gods is not a prerequisite for a mystical experience.
Comments?
*Andrew Newberg and Nancy Wintering have created what is possibly the world's largest database of firsthand accounts by individuals of RSMEs (Religious, Spiritual, or Mystical Experiences). The individuals whose stories are in the database are self-selecting, so they are not likely to be statistically proportional to the world's population as a whole. Nevertheless, a significant number of the individuals reporting mystical experiences are nontheists, including atheists. However, I don't know what proportion of those reporting religious or spiritual experiences are nontheists. Mystical experiences are RSMEs that, among other things, emphasize oneness, wholeness, or unity as a characteristic or trait of the experience.
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