1. What is "Self-Transcendence"
True religious experience involves moving beyond self-centeredness (decentering the self)
It’s not just mystical feelings or intellectual beliefs but an ethical shift where we let go of control and encounter a *truly other* (e.g., God, the divine, or ethical demands).
2. The Problem of Self-Deception
Even seemingly devout acts (prayer, rituals, sacrifice) can mask hidden selfish motives.
Example: A "perfectly pious" person might unconsciously use religion to feel superior or manipulate others.
Self-deception is sneaky—it makes us think we’re serving God while secretly serving our ego.
3.Why "Transcendence" is Hard
Philosophers like Nietzsche, Levinas, and Derrida warn:
We often reduce God/others to our own ideas (making "idols" instead of encountering true transcendence).
Even spiritual practices (meditation, worship) risk becoming self-centered "enjoyment" rather than genuine surrender.
4.Ethics as the Bridge to True Religion
To love God authentically, we must love others selflessly (e.g., caring for the vulnerable, as Levinas argues).
The "face of the Other" (like the oppressed or marginalized) challenges our ego and reveals true transcendence.
5. Why Religious Experience Isn’t "Proof"
Religious feelings alone don’t prove God’s existence—they might just reflect our desires or cultural biases.
Authenticity matters: Experiences must pass the test of *ethical transformation* (e.g., humility, justice) to be meaningful.
6.A Warning to Religious Thinkers
Modern philosophy often prioritizes "objective truth" over inner sincerity, sidelining the messy work of self-examination.
True faith requires suspicion of our own motives (à la Kierkegaard) to avoid turning God into a tool for power or comfort.
Real religious experience isn’t about feeling holy—it’s a lifelong struggle to move beyond selfishness, confront the *wholly other*, and resist the trap of using faith to prop up our egos. Even the most "devout" people risk self-deception, so humility and ethical action are key.
