What are Christian explanations for the similarities between ecstatic spiritual experiences of Christians and those of other religions?

score:3

Accepted answer

I have no interest in arguing against the possibility of physical benefits from yoga; I also readily acknowledge that endorphins can be released through physical activity. But that exercise can make one feel good isn't the fundamental question here--we're looking much deeper than that: are the experiences described above comparable to the influence of the Holy Ghost?

I'll group my observations into 6 general topics.

  1. I believe the influence of the Holy Ghost can be felt by anyone who opens their mind & heart to it. I believe the gift of the Holy Ghost comes only through the authorized laying on of hands (see Acts 8:17-20). So I do not find it surprising a priori that people from many backgrounds may have experienced the influence of the Holy Ghost.

  2. One of the critical roles of the Holy Ghost is to reveal truth (e.g. John 14:26, 16:13). Merely making someone feel bliss, with no associated teaching, strikes me as inconsistent or at least incomplete.

  3. The referenced associations with contemplating nothingness or the experience of o*g**m cause me some skepticism that we're talking about the same thing as the inspiration of the Holy Ghost. I find no scriptural support for those particular associations.

  4. I would be very cautious with the phrase "anointed with the Holy Ghost" - this is a concept the Bible applies specifically to Jesus (e.g. Luke 4:18). While we might argue that many have been anointed with the Holy Ghost to a lesser degree, the phrase carries a weight to it that may not be intended when we speak of feeling the inspiration of the Holy Ghost or receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost.

  5. Jesus warned of those who would do impressive things [sometimes even in His name] but were not truly acquainted with Him (see Matt. 7:15, 21-23). As such, I also cannot a priori rule out the possibility that there are clever deceptions out there. That said, Jesus' warning clearly implies that not all who speak in His name are deceivers. When all is said and done, I don't believe God will judge people with broad brushstrokes, so I don't see reason why I should do so (e.g. saying all Christians are righteous or all Buddhists are wicked are nonsensical statements). Are there diabolical fakes out there? I believe there are. The way to secure oneself against them is to become familiar with the real thing. (a deep topic on its own but probably the subject of another question)

  6. My belief in dispensations and apostasy leaves me very open to the possibility that there are kernels of truth in many belief systems. I see no difficulty with the idea that the Gospel was taught somewhere generations or even millennia ago, and the contemporary beliefs of that area contain modifications, fragments, or even large chunks of those gospel principals (this is not the same as suggesting those belief systems contain the fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ).

As taught by Alma:

For behold, the Lord doth grant unto all nations, of their own nation and tongue, to teach his word, yea, in wisdom, all that he seeth fit that they should have (Alma 29:8a)

Conclusion

I am not bothered by the possibility of spiritual experiences--even profound ones--by people whose beliefs differ from my own. Is every one of them telling the truth and realistically relaying their experience? Perhaps not (and that could conceivably be said of both Christians & non-Christians), but I do not have direct access to that information.

I prefer to leave judgement of people's adherence to the light & truth they've been given to the One who does have that information.

More post

Search Posts

Related post