1. 2) Who said ‘Ex nihilo, nihil fit’?
Rapid Recall!
Fill in the table with what you remember from memory! Prizes for the first correctly filled in one!
1) What is Design qua Regularity
2) Who said ‘Ex nihilo, nihil fit’?
3)Who said existence is not a predicate?
4) What is an intrinsic maximum?
5) What is Aquinas’ fifth way?
6) How is Anselm’s version of the ontological argument different to Descartes?

2. Everybody write!
Kant said humans have fives senses and everything comes through these. God is not part of the phenomenal world of objects that come through the senses. What would he say about Religious Experiences?

3. Aiming for an A*? Try to complete the ‘Top Philosopher’ tasks!
Learning Outcomes
To be able describe the concept of a Conversion experiences (Grade C).
To be able to explain, in detail, James’ and Starbucks’ views on conversion experiences (Grade B).
To be able to evaluate the concept of conversion experiences (Grade A).
Aiming for an A*? Try to complete the ‘Top Philosopher’ tasks!

4. Cow time! Literacy Target
Check that you have spelt all the key words correctly.
Conversion
Veridical
Volitional
Take the time to check over the rest of your work for any other spelling mistakes.
Ask for a dictionary or use the internet to check over any words that you are not sure are correct.

5. Conversion Experiences
Conversion is a process that leads to the adoption of a religious way of life.
Although the inner experience is not empirically testable, the changes are something that can be empirically observed.
Conversions are seen as miracles by those who experience it because of its strong and permanent effects. Conversion regenerates the person and they gain a greater understanding of their faith.

6. Conversion: The examples
You need to include examples in your essay to support your points! Find out and explain the following examples in your notes…
Nicky Cruz
St Paul
Stretch yourself: Find out about John Wesley’s conversion experience.
Top Philosopher: What would Freud say about religious experiences?

7. Aiming for an A*? Try to complete the ‘Top Philosopher’ tasks!
Learning Outcomes
To be able describe the concept of a Conversion experiences (Grade C).
To be able to explain, in detail, James’ and Starbucks’ views on conversion experiences (Grade B).
To be able to evaluate the concept of conversion experiences (Grade A).
Aiming for an A*? Try to complete the ‘Top Philosopher’ tasks!

8. Different views on Conversion experiences
William James
Edwin Starbuck
James saw conversion experiences as a transformation from a divided imperfect self to a more unified consciousness.
If someone changed over a period of 20yrs then it wouldn’t be so special, but the fact that it happens so quickly and some changes are permanent gives a powerful piece of evidence for the existence of God.
James; the truth of the experience is in its results.
He said most Religious conversion happen to people between 15-24, however interestingly non-religious people this age go through depression etc and then find an identity after.
This caused Starbuck to make parallels between conversion experiences and psychological experiences.

9. Can we find out more?
The process of conversion experiences occurs when religion becomes the central focus of a person’s mind.
There are two types:
1) Volitional – voluntary experience
2) Self-surrender – involuntary experiences
Read the article and highlight 5 key pieces of information on conversion experiences: 1) 2) 3) 4) 5)
Top Philosopher: What does Maurice Wiles say about Miracles and Religious Experiences?
Stretch yourself: Find out more about how Starbuck conducted his research.

10. How do these pictures link to what we have been learning about today?
Think, Pair, Share
How do these pictures link to what we have been learning about today?

11. Aiming for an A*? Try to complete the ‘Top Philosopher’ tasks!
Learning Outcomes
To be able describe the concept of a Conversion experiences (Grade C).
To be able to explain, in detail, James’ and Starbucks’ views on conversion experiences (Grade B).
To be able to evaluate the concept of conversion experiences (Grade A).
Aiming for an A*? Try to complete the ‘Top Philosopher’ tasks!

12. Writing an argument in ... ‘S!
Work in pairs to write a paragraph explaining the Conversion experiences.
You will each spend half of the time writing, when you are not writing you must be checking what the other person is writing against the checklist.
I will tell you when to swap the writer!
Checklist:
Start one sentence with ‘However.’
Include at least two philosophers.
Use an example to explain the view further.
Use a range of technical terms such as Volitional.
Stretch yourself:
Include an synoptic link as a little thinker.

13. Aiming for an A*? Try to complete the ‘Top Philosopher’ tasks!
Learning Outcomes
To be able describe the concept of a Conversion experiences (Grade C).
To be able to explain, in detail, James’ and Starbucks’ views on conversion experiences (Grade B).
To be able to evaluate the concept of conversion experiences (Grade A).
Aiming for an A*? Try to complete the ‘Top Philosopher’ tasks!

14. Sort the cards out into a Zig-Zag with for and against arguments…
‘Only conversion experiences should be accepted as veridical’ Discuss. (35 marks)
Sort the cards out into a Zig-Zag with for and against arguments…
For
Stretch yourself:
To reach a better A02 grade you must always link your arguments. E.g. However Starbuck would disagree with James because…..
Against
For
Against
Top philosopher:
Include two synoptic links on your zig-zag!

15. Freud:
Links religion with a neurosis caused by childhood insecurities and the desire for a father figure to protect us, like God. Religious experiences are hallucinations that have a simple psychological explanations. This makes religious experiences similar to wishful thinking.
Edwin Starbuck: Most Religious conversions happen to people between 15-24, however interestingly non-religious people this age go through depression etc. and then find an identity after. This caused Starbuck to make parallels between conversion experiences and psychological experiences.
William James:
James saw conversion experiences as a transformation from a divided imperfect self to a more unified consciousness.
If someone changed over a period of 20yrs then it wouldn’t be so special, but the fact that it happens so quickly and some changes are permanent gives a powerful piece of evidence for the existence of God.
Hume:
Different religions claim to see the deities of their religions, e.g. a Hindu may see Vishnu, whereas a Christian may see Jesus and a Muslim see the Prophet. Conflicting claims in different religious traditions cancel each other out.
Kant:
Even if there is a realm beyond our own, it is impossible for us to experience it. God is outside of the phenomenal world.

16. Richard Swinburne:
He said we should follow two Principles:
Principle of Credulity; what one sees is probably right.
If we constantly rejected things we’d end up doubting everyday ordinary experiences which is absurd.
Principle of Testimony; if there isn’t evidence stating the opposite then one should believe the testimony of religious experience.
Peter Vardy:
UFO criticism of Swinburne – that would need to verify the experience, can’t accept your own view from face value, you wouldn’t immediately say you have seen a UFO you’d go to a radar station for confirmation. Hence Swinburne would be wrong to say one should just accept the testimony
Maurice Wiles :
God’s actions should not be for particular instances but be on the world as a whole, otherwise this would create problems such as being arbitrary [actions based on random choice] and partisan [supporting one side].
If God does intervene why is there suffering? Why not intervene when a child suffers? Therefore the goodness of God and RE are incompatible.

17. We can do Conclusions!
‘Only conversion experiences should be accepted as veridical.’ Discuss
(35 marks).
Let’s make sure your conclusion is well argued…
You must include in your arguments the following words and phrases.
However
Consequently
On the other hand
Therefore
James
Individual
Psychological
realist
Empirical
Subjective
veridical
truth

18. Mini White Boards Describe one example of a conversion experience.
Explain one the view of one Philosopher who supports conversion experiences.
Explain the view of one philosopher who criticises conversion experiences.
Do you think conversion experiences are veridical? Explain your reasoning.

19. Aiming for an A*? Try to complete the ‘Top Philosopher’ tasks!
Learning Outcomes
To be able describe the concept of a Conversion experiences (Grade C).
To be able to explain, in detail, James’ and Starbucks’ views on conversion experiences (Grade B).
To be able to evaluate the concept of conversion experiences (Grade A).
Aiming for an A*? Try to complete the ‘Top Philosopher’ tasks!