Definition: Life events that can be had in religious and non-religious contexts to which religious meaning is attached by leadership, participants and witnesses
Catholic Christianity
Religious experiences in Catholic Christianity is generally related to the deepening connection with God. Praying each day and attending mass are such ways of strengthening this connection. However, there is no one way of experiencing God. Unique experiences with God do occur with adherents, generally by following his word and how he wishes us to live our lives.
Catholics would generally have a hard time experiencing the presence of God. This is because, according to the Bible, it is technically impossible, as we have rejected God by sinning. Nevertheless, instead of us experiencing God, God will experience us. This has to do with the Holy Trinity, God reached us when he became man, Jesus, and this is how we experience God. We follow the path of Jesus and his teachings, and this allows us to be forgiven for our sins and therefore strengthen the connection with God. |
One very important time where religious experiences are highly present is during Lent and the Easter Triduum. This is a time for adherents to give up all cravings and desires of the body, including food, water, an physical pleasures. Lent, according to the Canon Law, must be completed by people 18-60 years old, except for those who are too young, old, sick/ill, or pregnant. There are many symbols used during this time, including:
• Ash - as a symbol of human mortality and it compels adherents to do penance
• Fish - as a symbol of abstaining from eating meat
• Money - as a symbol for almsgiving
Beginning on Ash Wednesday, Lent continues for 40 days, up until Holy Thursday (or Maundy Thursday), and this is the beginning of the Easter Triduum. This is a time for when adherents remember the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, as Holy Thursday is the day of the Last Supper. It follows onto Good Friday, the death of Jesus, and then to Easter Sunday, the resurrection of Jesus.
• Ash - as a symbol of human mortality and it compels adherents to do penance
• Fish - as a symbol of abstaining from eating meat
• Money - as a symbol for almsgiving
Beginning on Ash Wednesday, Lent continues for 40 days, up until Holy Thursday (or Maundy Thursday), and this is the beginning of the Easter Triduum. This is a time for when adherents remember the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, as Holy Thursday is the day of the Last Supper. It follows onto Good Friday, the death of Jesus, and then to Easter Sunday, the resurrection of Jesus.
Aboriginal Spirituality
Religious experience in Aboriginal Spirituality is constant, never-ending, and there is no separation of the sacred and the daily. It can be found in stories, through the Dreamtime or in rituals. Their religious experiences explain how one should live their life, including responsibilities to carry out within their community and it also reinforces the connection with land and all objects surrounding it.
Through the Dreaming, Aboriginals may experience the wholeness and holiness of all objects and their aspects. Some personal experiences may give them the power to cure illnesses in the community as well as prevent harm to the community |
Islamic Religion
In Islam, completing the five pillars are considered to be religious experiences (as well as rituals) as they allow an adherent to increase their connection with Allah. There are other experiences which a Muslim may encounter in their life known as revelations, and there are two types:
• General Revelation - a part of Allah and the truth is shown to a person or people through either the natural world, reasoning, conscience or morality. Albeit indirect, it is available to everyone and they can choose whether to accept the message or not, but it is compulsory for any Muslim to take this revelation as a sign • Special Revelation - this revelation is more directed to a certain individual or group and is believed to be sent, according to Muslims, by the Angel Gabriel, the messenger of revelations. These can be seen through visions, prophecies or in dreams and reveal a strong truth about Allah and/or Islam |
The Five Pillars of Islam:
• Shahadah - Shahadah is the most important pillar in Islamic Religion, the recitation of the Islamic faith, “La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammadur rasoolu Allah.” meaning "There is no true God but Allah and Mohammed is the Prophet of God". • Salat - It is compulsory for all Muslims to perform five prayers each day, however, each prayer only goes for a few minutes. These prayers allow a Muslim to deepen his or her connection with the God, Allah, and allows the Muslim to feel happiness, peace and comfort |
• Zakat - The word Zakat means purification and growth. The Zakat is when a Muslim donates to the poor and unfortunate, either paid in gold, silver or money. It is believed that putting aside one's fortune for others causes the purification
• Sawm - Completed in the 9th month of the Islamic Calendar, Ramadan, all Muslims must fast from sunrise to sunset, meaning there is no eating, drinking, smoking or sexual pleasures. Sawm is considered to be a healer for the spirit, as it allows Muslims to truly feel commiseration for those who do go hungry or do not have access to what they normally would
• Haji - Considered the second most important out of the five pillars, the Haji is the yearly pilgrimage to Mecca. It is performed in the 12th month of the Islamic Calendar and is an obligation for those who can physically and financially afford it
• Sawm - Completed in the 9th month of the Islamic Calendar, Ramadan, all Muslims must fast from sunrise to sunset, meaning there is no eating, drinking, smoking or sexual pleasures. Sawm is considered to be a healer for the spirit, as it allows Muslims to truly feel commiseration for those who do go hungry or do not have access to what they normally would
• Haji - Considered the second most important out of the five pillars, the Haji is the yearly pilgrimage to Mecca. It is performed in the 12th month of the Islamic Calendar and is an obligation for those who can physically and financially afford it