Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious?

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Current time: July 25, 2025, 9:13 pm

Poll: Have you had such experiences? This poll is closed.
No, I don't believe I have or am quite certain I have not.	23.94%	17	23.94%
Maybe, but it was too indistinct to be sure and/or is too poorly remembered to describe in any detail.	1.41%	1	1.41%
Yes, I believe so or am quite certain that I have.	9.86%	7	9.86%
What I experienced could be described as a merging with something greater than or less narrow than my ordinary self.	4.23%	3	4.23%
What I experienced could be described as a kind of disembodied or general awareness in which I was more a spectator than an actor.	5.63%	4	5.63%
What I experienced could be described as improved perception and insight and a correspondingly increased sense of power or confidence.	4.23%	3	4.23%
My experience was confusing, frightening or unpleasant.	0%	0	0%
My experience was largely uplifting, energizing or euphoric.	8.45%	6	8.45%
The experience I had made sense to me while it was happening within a frame of reference I already had. (Which one?)	8.45%	6	8.45%
The experience I had has not been one of which I've been able to make a great deal of sense.	0%	0	0%
The experience I had was one I've come to recognize as fitting a frame of reference I did not possess at that time. (Which one?)	7.04%	5	7.04%
The experience has made an enduring change which is quite clear to me. (Regrets or glad?)	4.23%	3	4.23%
The experience has probably changed me but it is hard to say exactly how. (Regrets or glad?)	4.23%	3	4.23%
The experience was transitory and I now feel back to normal or largely the same. (Regrets or glad?)	1.41%	1	1.41%
As a result of this experience, I now feel more connected to other people and/or something greater.	4.23%	3	4.23%
As a result of this experience, I now feel different and somewhat more estranged from other people than I used to.	0%	0	0%
What I experienced was a one time thing.	2.82%	2	2.82%
What I experienced was spread out over multiple events.	7.04%	5	7.04%
Whatever it was, it was something I'd like to experience again.	0%	0	0%
Whatever it was, it was something I wouldn't expect to experience again.	2.82%	2	2.82%
Total		71 vote(s)	100%

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Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious?

Sejanus Offline

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Religious Views: Atheist

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#8

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious?

August 19, 2014 at 10:18 pm (This post was last modified: August 19, 2014 at 10:19 pm by Sejanus.)

(August 19, 2014 at 10:07 pm)Michael Wrote:
(August 19, 2014 at 10:03 pm)Sejanus Wrote: But how did you go from there (deism?) to Christianity?

Well, I don't think religious experiences are really compatible with deism, or at least not an experience of a loving numen. But the short answer is, I think, mostly because Christianity is the natural cultural setting for me to explore this sense. I imagine if I were in India I would have explored it through Hinduism.

It seems you're implying that the god you think exists is essentially a personal deist god... you're saying a god exists, and religions are just the different interpretations of said god? why call yourself a Christian then?

(August 19, 2014 at 10:13 pm)Polaris Wrote: Experiencing the Holy Spirit for the first time made me a Christian.

It must've been some high-proof stuff, that Holy Spirit. I should check it out.

[Image: thfrog.gif]

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Messages In This Thread

Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious? - by Whateverist - August 19, 2014 at 9:51 pm

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, spiritual and/or religious? - by Sejanus - August 19, 2014 at 9:56 pm

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, spiritual and/or religious? - by Michael - August 19, 2014 at 10:00 pm

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, spiritual and/or religious? - by Sejanus - August 19, 2014 at 10:03 pm

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, spiritual and/or religious? - by Michael - August 19, 2014 at 10:07 pm

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious? - by Sejanus - August 19, 2014 at 10:18 pm

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, spiritual and/or religious? - by Whateverist - August 19, 2014 at 10:01 pm

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious? - by Polaris - August 19, 2014 at 10:13 pm

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious? - by Anomalocaris - August 19, 2014 at 10:24 pm

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious? - by vorlon13 - August 19, 2014 at 11:33 pm

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious? - by ComradeMeow - August 20, 2014 at 12:38 am

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious? - by Michael - August 20, 2014 at 1:25 am

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious? - by Sejanus - August 20, 2014 at 1:52 am

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious? - by Losty - August 20, 2014 at 1:46 am

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious? - by Michael - August 20, 2014 at 2:06 am

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious? - by Whateverist - August 20, 2014 at 8:17 am

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious? - by pocaracas - August 20, 2014 at 8:27 am

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious? - by Endo - August 20, 2014 at 9:29 am

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious? - by Confused Ape - August 20, 2014 at 10:38 am

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious? - by Whateverist - August 20, 2014 at 10:48 am

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious? - by Confused Ape - August 20, 2014 at 11:57 am

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious? - by Whateverist - August 20, 2014 at 9:53 pm

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious? - by Confused Ape - August 21, 2014 at 5:18 am

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious? - by Neo-Scholastic - August 21, 2014 at 10:35 am

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious? - by Confused Ape - August 21, 2014 at 12:40 pm

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious? - by Diablo - August 20, 2014 at 10:58 am

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious? - by Neo-Scholastic - August 20, 2014 at 12:13 pm

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious? - by Michael - August 20, 2014 at 2:42 pm

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious? - by Diablo - August 20, 2014 at 3:25 pm

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious? - by Michael - August 20, 2014 at 3:53 pm

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious? - by Diablo - August 20, 2014 at 4:01 pm

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious? - by Neo-Scholastic - August 20, 2014 at 7:03 pm

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious? - by Diablo - August 21, 2014 at 10:39 am

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious? - by Neo-Scholastic - August 21, 2014 at 12:12 pm

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious? - by Diablo - August 21, 2014 at 12:52 pm

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious? - by Whateverist - August 21, 2014 at 12:56 pm

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious? - by Diablo - August 21, 2014 at 3:51 pm

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious? - by Fidel_Castronaut - August 20, 2014 at 3:27 pm

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious? - by Michael - August 20, 2014 at 4:08 pm

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious? - by Diablo - August 20, 2014 at 4:21 pm

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious? - by ShaMan - August 20, 2014 at 4:13 pm

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious? - by Thumpalumpacus - August 20, 2014 at 4:26 pm

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious? - by jesus_wept - August 20, 2014 at 4:29 pm

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious? - by professor - August 20, 2014 at 8:59 pm

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious? - by paulpablo - August 21, 2014 at 10:59 am

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious? - by Whateverist - August 21, 2014 at 12:48 pm

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious? - by Anomalocaris - August 21, 2014 at 12:29 pm

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious? - by Neo-Scholastic - August 21, 2014 at 12:43 pm

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious? - by Confused Ape - August 21, 2014 at 3:53 pm

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious? - by Neo-Scholastic - August 21, 2014 at 5:39 pm

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious? - by Confused Ape - August 22, 2014 at 6:01 am

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious? - by Whateverist - August 22, 2014 at 11:17 am

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious? - by Dystopia - August 21, 2014 at 3:31 pm

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious? - by Thumpalumpacus - August 22, 2014 at 11:29 am

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious? - by Diablo - August 22, 2014 at 4:51 pm

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious? - by Nine - August 22, 2014 at 4:54 pm

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious? - by Thumpalumpacus - August 22, 2014 at 5:56 pm

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious? - by Neo-Scholastic - August 22, 2014 at 4:01 pm

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious? - by Mudhammam - August 22, 2014 at 4:44 pm

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious? - by ComradeMeow - August 24, 2014 at 7:31 pm

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious? - by Nine - August 24, 2014 at 7:34 pm

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious? - by ComradeMeow - August 29, 2014 at 12:34 pm

RE: Have you had experiences you'd describe as sacred, mystical and/or religious? - by CapnAwesome - August 30, 2014 at 8:31 pm

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