Is religious experience evidence for God?
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Question
The core question of 5.3.2?
Answer
Can a private religious experience count as evidence that the divine is really there — not just for the person, but for anyone?
Question
Alston's argument?
Answer
Experiencing God is like ordinary perception — you trust your senses without outside proof, so you may trust a religious experience the same way.
Question
The main objection to Alston?
Answer
Ordinary perception can be checked by others, but a private religious experience can't be shared or replayed.
Question
The 'understanding problem'?
Answer
Someone who's never had a religious experience may not grasp the reports — like describing colour to someone born blind.
Question
The neuroscience objection?
Answer
Religious experiences line up with brain activity and can be triggered artificially — so maybe it's 'just the brain'.
Question
Why doesn't the brain reply settle it?
Answer
Ordinary seeing runs on brain activity too, yet the tree is real — so a brain cause alone doesn't make an experience empty.
Question
Private vs public evidence?
Answer
Public evidence (like seeing a tree) others can check; private evidence (a religious experience) only the person has.
Question
Evidence for the believer vs the doubter?
Answer
A religious experience can ground personal belief well, but is weak for proving the divine to someone who hasn't had one.
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Full study notes for Is religious experience evidence for God?
Topic 5.3 hub
Religious experience and behaviour
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