Are religious experiences veridical?

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REASONS TO DISBELIEVE EVIDENCE FOR RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE

There may be reasons to believe the person was mistaken (e.g. if they are hallucinating under the influence of drugs)

If we have 'strong' reasons to believe that God does not exist, this would count against believing that an experience was religious

There may be evidence that an event wasn't caused by God.

Swinburne's example: Twins in an arcade: you could think you saw John and later discover it was his identical twin

It's reasonable to believe what someone tells you unless you have a specific reason to disbelieve them

Example: Your best friend tells you about a religious experience they've had, do you have reason to disbelieve them? However, if the friend is a renowned liar you may have 'special consideration' - this knowledge about your friend would undermine any instinct to believe what they tell you

PRINCIPLE OF TESTIMONY

PRINCIPLE OF CREDULITY

It is reasonable to believe the world is most likely as we experience it to be

Unless we have a specific reason to question a religious experience, we should accept it

Swinburne

Principle of testimony and credulity