Examine The Main Characteristics Of Both Visions And Conversion Experiences

Examine the main characteristics of both visions and conversion experiences.
Visions and conversions are both types of religious experiences. This makes them non-empirical, or in other words, not experienced by one or more of the 5 senses. This sort of event can be brought about as a result of self-discipline and training, or can be purely spontaneous. A genuine or not self-serving experience seems to be encouraging; they usually do not condemn the individual.
Religious experiences come in infinite forms, with each being unique. However, they can be split into two groups, vision and conversion.
A religious vision is when someone believes that they have heard or seen a supernatural object or being. There are three ways that an individual can experience a religious vision. They could experience an intellectual vision, which would bring them a greater knowledge or understanding, for example a revelation from god. St Theresa had an intellectual vision in which afterwards she said “if there is anywhere on earth a lover of God is always kept safe, I know nothing of it for it was known to me.” Otherwise, they could experience an imaginary vision, which would be an ‘imaginary’ image or an image created in the mind. Finally, they could experience go through a corporeal vision. This differs from an imaginary vision because a corporeal vision occurs outside the body, for example St Bernadette and her visions of the Virgin Mary. Visions are either about an image or event in which there is a message, religious figures, and places of religious significance, fantastical creatures or judgement day. These are the most common themes in visions.
A vision can often to lead to a conversion, which leads me on nicely to conversion experiences. This is when the effects of a religious experience are life-changing. The term ‘religious conversion’, meaning the change in behaviour, discovery of greater knowledge and a relationship with god in an individual directly the result of a religious vision. These effects can be either permanent or temporary. There are two type of this, conscious/voluntary, like Edith Stein, and involuntary much like the conversion of St Paul. William James was a psychologist who looked in detail about conversions. He came to several conclusions; that a sudden conversion is very real to those who experience it and that it is performed or caused by God. “Man’s extremity is God’s opportunity.” He also said that for some religious groups a ‘crisis’ is needed for a relationship with God. On top if this he said that those who are converted see it is a miracle, but that conversions are inspired by the divine. Conversions can be split into 3 groups; Intellectual, moral and social. Intellectual represents thinking about God and his existence, moral is a change in lifestyle and social is changing the way you live.