Year 8 - Religious education
Ian McCormack and near death experience
Knowing God: does religious experience prove God exists?
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit pupils investigate the idea of religious experience. They start with the ideas of William James before examining case studies from history and Christian, Islamic and Hindu worldviews.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to reflect on Ian McCormack's conversion experience and use philosophical arguments to show how it could be used as support for the existence of God.
Key Notes
- People may have religious experiences that confirm their current beliefs or convert them to a new religious outlook.
- Ian McCormack was an atheist who had a near death experience and became a Christian.
- Following his near death experience and conversion, he has dedicated his life to spreading Christianity.
- Richard Swinburne argues the role of credulity and testimony support the validity of religious experiences.
- Philosophers may argue that whether his experience can be proven is less significant than the impact it has had.
Vocabulary To Learn
- conversion: a complete transformation, often involving a change in worldview, such as adopting a new religious belief
- Ian McCormack: a man who converted to Christianity after having a near death experience
- near death experience (NDE): a transformative experience often involving visions, feelings of peace or encounters with a higher power, typically reported by those who have been close to death
- Richard Swinburne: a philosopher who argues that religious experiences should be taken as evidence for the existence of God
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Ian McCormack's experience is unique and proves the truth of Christianity.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
People may have religious experiences that confirm their current beliefs or convert them to a new religious outlook. Ian McCormack was an atheist who had a near death experience and became a Christian.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'conversion'
a complete transformation, often involving a change in worldview, such as adopting a new religious belief.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: Ian McCormack's experience is unique and proves the truth of Christianity. Correction: McCormack's experience is similar to those in other religions, where people report encounters with divine beings or light, showing such experiences aren't unique to Christianity.
More Lessons In This Unit
Browse all guides in the Year 8 Religious education guide library.