What is numinous experience? Discuss in pairs. Can you give any examples?

Numinous experiences

Learning outcomes To be able to describe what is meant by a numinous experience. To be able to evaluate the views on Rudolf Otto on Numinous Experiences.

Feeling the experience of the divine, ‘numin’ = Latin word for divine. Numinous Feeling the experience of the divine, ‘numin’ = Latin word for divine. Definition: It can be described in many ways. It is hard to define the term as individual experiences of Numinosity are not always the same. Kimberly Rodgers best defined Numinosity as: “The emotional glow...an object instils, which is different from what we experience in ordinary life...; an awe-filled encounter [with the divine]” This definition is derived from the word “Numinous” which can be described as being in the presence of an awesome power.

Basically, no religion would be where it is without the experiences. Rudolf Otto He claimed Numinosity is irrational, and is beyond what one is able to experience through the senses. He suggested that religion must derive from a being that is totally separate from this world. This being is totally unknowable and awesome and terrifying yet fascinating. In the presence of such a being that numinosity is felt. This numinosity = the key to understanding religions. He says: “There is no religion in which it does not live as the innermost core and without it no religion would be worthy of the name” Basically, no religion would be where it is without the experiences.

Rudolf Otto… Read through the article and answer the following questions: What is the name of Otto’s book? What do you think Otto means by the term ‘wholly other’? What are the three components of religious experience according to Otto? Describe each one in detail. Explain an example of a numinous expereince in the Bible. Top Philosopher task: What are the criticisms of Otto’s views? Stretch yourself task: Scan the second QR code and find out more on Otto’s beliefs about God.

Think, pair, share A: Give an example of a numinous experience. B: Explain what Otto thinks a numinous experience is. A: Give three of Otto’s characteristics of a numinous experiences. B: What did he mean by the term ‘wholly other’?

Mysterium Tremendum et Facinans He said elements of numinous experience can be identified as the ‘wholly other’, ‘awfulness’, ‘over poweringness’ and the ‘fascinating’. Msyterium: because experience cannot be explained. Tremendum: because of the awe and terror in God’s presence. Facinans: because we have a strange fascination towards it.

This ‘otherness’ makes God seem impersonal. ‘Wholly other’ Otto said these RE’s are at the heart of religions, believers interpret these experiences and create beliefs around them. Ideas about God are formed when people reflect on these experiences, but ideally God is indescribable. Influenced by Kant, Otto said God not known through logic, rather God is ‘wholly other’. We can’t know God unless he shows himself. Numinous experience is where God reveals himself. Criticisms: This idea of God being separate from mankind is extremely problematic. For instance, it is an apparent contradiction of the Christian belief that God is a personal being. This ‘otherness’ makes God seem impersonal.

Other views… Scan the QR code to find out more about Friedrich Schleiermacher’s views. Imagine you were writing an essay on religious experiences. Write a paragraph explaining his views… Stretch yourself task: What are the criticisms of Schleiermacher’s views? Top Philosopher task: What are Buber’s views on religious experience?

Evaluation zig-zag Complete the zig-zag in your notes. Zig-zag from arguments that support and criticise Otto’s views on numinous experiences. For Against Stretch yourself: To reach a better A02 grade you must always link your arguments. E.g. However Schleiermacher would agree with Otto because….. For Against Top Philosopher task: What is Pascal's wager?

Philosophical discussion ‘The unsettling nature of religious experiences means they are less likely to be something the mind has made up’ Do you agree?