discuss the claim that religious experience is all in the mind of the believer

Discuss the claim that ‘Religious experience is all in the mind of the believer’
Nicholas Jay
In order to explore this claim, we must first establish what we mean by religious experience. In this essay I will look at different scholars who have attempted to provide definitions such as James, Swinburne and Jung. We must take into account each scholar’s ideas and concepts and come to an informed decision based on the available information.
To begin with, says William James, there are three different types of religious experience (r.e.) and these are: Numinosity, Mystical experience and Conversion. An emotion, rather than a direct engaging of our normal five senses defines a numinous experience, (Taken from ‘Varieties of Religious Experience’ p.383 William James). Those claiming to have had one usually relay a feeling that God was present or some other form of divinity depending on their faith. Such an experience is often awe-inspiring and can leave the subject feel...