1. On Mysticism and Its Challenges: New Religious Movement
20144 Jacky 1
2. Agenda Mysticism Definitions of Mysticism The Necessity of
Mysticism Views of Mysticism by Other Philosophers / Theologians /
Psychologists Implications of Mysticism 2
3. Agenda Cult Definition of Cult Case Study: Eastern Lightning
() / Church of Almighty God () Challenges 3
5. Philosophical Definitions of Mystical Experience in Wide
Sense A (purportedly:) super sense-perceptual or sub
sense-perceptual experience granting acquaintance of realities or
states of affairs that are of a kind not accessible by way of sense
perception, somatosensory modalities, or standard introspection.
Exclude religious visions / auditions, OBE, telepathy,
precognition, clairvoyanceetc 5
6. Mystical Experience in Narrow Sense A (purportedly:) super
sense-perceptual or sub sense-perceptual unitive experience
granting acquaintance of realities or states of affairs that are of
a kind not accessible by way of sense- perception, somatosensory
modalities, or standard introspection. Eradication of multiplicity,
Oneness, oceanic feelingetc 6
7. At that time it will be clear to you that I am in my Father,
and you are in me, and I in you. 14:20 John 14:20 7
8. Other Related Definitions Religious Experience: any
experience related to religious context. Narrow sense: without
mystical experience Numinous Experience: Mystical experience in
wide sense - mystical experience in narrow sense. Non-unitive
experience 8
9. Categories of Mystical Experiences Extrovertive and
Introvertive framework (Stace, 1960) - Perennialism Theistic and
Non-theistic: Theistic: Union with God. I am God. Non-theistic:
Neurophysiologically / Drug induced. 9
10. Psychological Definitions of Mysticism Lectures XVI and
XVII Mysticism, The Varieties of Religious Experience (William
James, 1920) Ineffability: "defies expression, that no adequate
report of its content can be given in words" Noetic quality:
"insight into depths of truth unplumbed by the discursive intellect
Transiency: short occurrence but effect persists Passivity: not
active seekers, but passive recipients 10
11. Evidential Force and Value The evidential value of
religious experiences (Clark, 1984) The evidential force of
religious experience (Davis, 1989) The evidential value of
religious experience (Swinburne, 1981) Evidential Force: sufficient
warrant for belief in God Evidential Value: justify if holding
Principle of Credulity 11
12. The Necessity of Mysticism Here comes my argument, defend
one by one 12
13. Scientism All can be explained / studied by science New
atheists (e.g. Richard Dawkins) subscribe to that 13
14. Limitations of Knowledge Related to Epistemology Some we
cannot know forever Empirical History: particularities in
historical events Physics: Unobservable universe, uncertainty
principle, weather forecast 14
16. Some unsolved at this moment Origin of Universe Origin of
Life Hard problem of consciousness P = NP 16
17. Origin of Universe Current mainstream interpretation in
physical science: homogeneous God is homogeneous. Universe is
homogeneous. Which to choose? By Occams razor, choose universe is
homogeneous? Implications: many worlds interpretation, multiverse,
bubble universe 17
18. Gap of Human Knowledge How should we fill in? Scientism,
New Atheists: Science. God is God of the Gap. Science of the Gap?
Science / natural explanation is more superior? With predictive
power? With track record? 18
19. Falsifiability of Science Open-end worldview Can always
adjust hypotheses Must accept possibility of unknown unexpected
events in the future (e.g. miracles) 19
20. Better Knowledge Model Image credit: Monica Anderson
20
21. Better Knowledge Model Image credit: Robin Ford 21
22. Agnosticism We cannot know forever Critique of Pure Reason
(Kant) das Ding an sich (thing-in-itself, , Noumenon) Antinomy ():
Space and Time, Atomism, Freedom, God the most rational stance, but
modern philosophers think this as lazy stance (there is an internal
urge) If you have a mystical experience, you still need to handle
(explain to yourself) 22
23. Skepticism Doubt everything. If not sure, default is
negative. Look for normal explanation before turning to mystical /
supernatural explanation. Ray Hyman Professor Emeritus of
Psychology, University of Oregon Cofounded Committee for Skeptical
Inquiry (CSI), previously Committee for the Scientific
Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP) 23
24. Pseudoskepticism? Reject pseudoscientific and paranormal
events Include yogic flying, therapeutic touch, astrology, fire
walking, voodoo, magical thinking, Uri Geller, alternative
medicine, channeling, psychic hotlines and detectives, near-death
experiences, unidentified flying objects (UFOs), the Bermuda
Triangle, homeopathy, faith healing, and reincarnation 24
25. An extraordinary claim requires extraordinary proof.
Marcello Truzzi, On the Extraordinary: An Attempt at Clarification,
Zetetic Scholar, Vol. 1, No. 1, p. 11, 1978 25
26. Purely Psychological The Psychology of Religious Mysticism
(Leuba, 1925): physiological explanation The Future of an Illusion
(Freud, 1927/1961b): psychological double error: presume existence
of God, attribute to God 26
27. Purely Psychological? The Varieties of Religious Experience
(James, 1902/1985) science cannot rule out that a mystical
experience is an experience of the Real or of a foundational
reality that may be necessary for the experience to occur 27
28. Maybe neuropsychological some fundamental internal
mechanism is operating (Wulff, 2000) activated non-theistic
mystical experience from prefrontal area (d'Aquili and Newberg,
1993, 1999, 2000) they question its practicality in evolution with
such mechanism 28
29. Maybe psychotic? Mysticism: Spiritual Quest or Psychic
Disorder? (Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry, 1976) Temporal
Lobe Epilepsy Not neurophysiological deficiency Hallucination?
29
30. Explanation to Mysteries in the Bible and Theology
hypostatic union exorcism holy spirit basis of revealed theology
30
31. Explanation to personal events private revelations
meditations big dreams not psychosis ground of personal validity,
may not be universally valid 31
32. Views of Mysticism by Other Philosophers / Theologians /
Psychologists 32
33. St. Thomas Aquinas Rational, systematic theologian, natural
theologian writer of Summa Theologica () Lives of the Saints (Alban
Butler, Thurston and Attwater revision, 1956) 33
34. On the feast of St. Nicholas [in 1273, Aquinas] was
celebrating Mass when he received a revelation that so affected him
that he wrote and dictated no more, leaving his great work the
Summa Theologiae unfinished. To Brother Reginalds (his secretary
and friend) expostulations he replied, "The end of my labors has
come. All that I have written appears to be as so much straw after
the things that have been revealed to me." When later asked by
Reginald to return to writing, Aquinas said, "I can write no more.
I have seen things that make my writings like straw. Aquinas died
three months later while on his way to the ecumenical council of
Lyons. Aquinass Mystical Experience 34
35. Martin Luther Reformer, Protestant It occurred in the tower
room of the monastery when he was reading the first chapter of the
Epistle to the Romans. While reading Luther suddenly saw that Paul
was describing a merciful justice, and not a punitive one, which is
conferred upon men through Christ and which in no way can be
separated from the Redeemer. Because of this revelation Luther was
like a man for whom paradise had been reopened. With the selfsame
intensity with which he has previously hated God, he now drank in
the exceedingly sweet pledge. It was not that Luther found God, but
rather God found him. From then on he was oriented more toward the
Pauline epistles than toward the Gospel.
(http://www.themystica.com/mystica/articles/l/luther_martin%20.ht
ml) 35
36. Tien Ming Lee () Modern Philosopher in Hong Kong,
specialized in critical thinking and mathematical logic Had
mystical experience, and so hold religious stance as mystical
optimism () (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrvQKgp7dog ) 36
37. Paul the Apostle Saul, zealous Pharisee Conversion of Paul
the Apostle As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light
from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a
voice say to him, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? Who are you,
Lord? Saul asked. "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting, he
replied. Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what
you must do. The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless;
they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the
ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they
led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and
did not eat or drink anything. Acts 9:39, NIV 37
38. Lcia Santos 1 of 3 visionaries to the Marian apparitions at
Ftima in 1917 Another 2 died as prophesied on the next year (1918
influenza pandemic) they requested no treatment She turned into
Carmelite nun for whole life Died in 2005. Beatified in 2008.
38
39. Carl Jung Psychologist, contributing to psychotherapy and
analytical psychology Open to experiences before interpreting by
religious contexts Mystical experiences described in Memories,
Dreams, Reflections (MDR)
(http://www.bodysoulandspirit.net/mystical_experi
ences/read/notables/jung.shtml) 39
40. Implications of Mysticism 40
41. Implications of Mysticism Encourage superstition whenever
cannot explain something, just say it is a mystery Charismatic
movement glossolalia active seeking 41
42. Implications of Mysticism New Age Movement UFO To
scientists / new atheists, do they believe in aliens more than in
God? Ancient Astronaut Theory Creationism Cults & New Religious
Movement 42
43. Cults & New Religious Movement 43
44. Definition Religion: Church > Denomination > Sect New
Religion: Cult 44
45. Common Characteristics of Cults New More on spiritual needs
Maybe mystically oriented Often with charismatic leader 45
46. Case Study Eastern Lightning () Church of Almighty God ()
46
47. Brief History The Shouters (), another cult, was found by
Witness Lee () in 1962 in US The Shouters was spread to China from
US in 1970s Zhao Weishan () was a core member of The Shouters He
started Eastern Lightning () from Henan () in China in 1990s
Declared a female mental patient Yang Xiangbin () (Lightning Deng,
) as female Christ () They escaped to US in 2001 Started to spread
to Taiwan and Hong Kong in 2010s 47
50. Growth Methodology Target Christians, clergies and females
New immigrants to HK Infiltration to local churches and seminaries
Setup street stations next to MTR stations KPI: 30 new leads / mo
Threats, drugged, kidnapping and imprisonment Flirty fishing to
clergies Sell their books in bookstores 50
51. They understand Christian doctrines, then distort it, and
they know all the objection points you would have. 51
52. They listen and respond with points They are able to write
a large portion of text (not by copy and paste) 52
54. Female Pastor in HK Got Converted
(http://www.gospelherald.com.hk/news/gen-2476/ )
(http://www.gospelherald.com.hk/news/gen-2490/ )
(http://www.gospelherald.com.hk/news/gen-2491/ ) 54
