Starter quiz
- How did William James research religious experiences?
- by using brain scans to observe religious experiences
- by reading sacred texts from various religions
- by interviewing and reading personal accounts of people from different religions ✓
- by attending different religious ceremonies
-
- What do Ian McCormack and St Bernadette of Lourdes have in common?
- they are both Christian ✓
- they both lived in the 19th century CE
- they were originally both atheists
- they both had religious experiences ✓
-
- What does mysticism emphasise in its approach to connecting with God?
- personal inner experience ✓
- studying sacred texts
- formal rituals and public worship
- following rules and laws
-
- What is the mystical tradition within Islam known as?
- 'Sufism' ✓
- Which of the following best describes Brahman in Hindu Dharma?
- the eternal soul or spirit in each being
- the ultimate reality or supreme being ✓
- the cycle of birth and rebirth
- a new body for the atman
-
- Hindus believe that every living being has an ______ that is eternal.
- 'atman' ✓
Exit quiz
- In Hindu Dharma, religious experience is recognising atman, the true self, as the divine within, connected to ...
- 'Brahman' ✓
- In Dvaita Vedanta, atman and Brahman are considered to be ...
- one
- distinct ✓
- infinite
- equal
-
- Which of the following is true in Advaita Vedanta?
- atman and Brahman are distinct
- atman and Brahman are one ✓
- atman is separate from Brahman
- atman is a temporary form of Brahman
-
- Which of the following statements challenges the idea that atman is the same as the soul in other religions?
- Atman is seen as a temporary, mortal entity in Hinduism.
- Atman lives on as an individual in heaven after death.
- Atman is considered eternal and divine, not just a personal soul. ✓
- Atman is not connected to Brahman in Hinduism.
-
- What is the multiple claims argument?
- Religious experiences are subjective and cannot prove God's existence.
- Conflicting religious experiences challenge the proof of one specific God. ✓
- All religions ultimately point to the same divine truth.
- The divine can only be experienced through personal revelation.
-
- John Hick’s ______ hypothesis suggests different religious experiences interpret the same truth.
- 'pluralist' ✓
Worksheet
Loading worksheet ...
Presentation
Loading presentation ...
Video
Lesson Details
Key learning points
- Atman is a Sanskrit word for the true or eternal self and most Hindus believe it is in every living being.
- Atman comes from Brahman and could be seen as a part of the ultimate being within each of us.
- In different Indian philosophies, atman is part of the individual self and ultimate reality or completely separate.
- The multiple claims issue is the problem that conflicting religious experiences challenge the proof of one specific God.
- John Hick argues that religious pluralism means different religious experiences interpret the same divine reality.
Common misconception
Atman is just like the soul in other religions.
While atman is similar to the soul, in Hinduism, it's not only the individual self but also connected to the larger, ultimate reality (Brahman). So, it’s more than just an individual soul; it can be seen as part of everything.
Keywords
Atman - the spark of Brahman or spirit within all living beings
Brahman - the supreme spirit or ultimate reality
John hick - philosopher who argues for religious pluralism
Multiple claims argument - conflicting religious experiences challenge the idea they can prove the existence of God
Pluralist - someone who believes that different religions are paths to understanding the same divine truth
+