Gut instinct is internal in origin, a religious experience is external in origin. Gut-instinct is intuition manifest, religious experience is transcendental.

hmmm, I see where you're coming from but I don't necessarily agree. The 'instinct' part is internal, however the reference to 'gut' I believe is misleading. My 'gut' feelings often come from feelings of external energy and then an internal, total recognition and acceptance of a unproved circumstance. I do agree that a religious experience can be transcendental but a transcendental experience need not be religious. Even transcendental experiences fade with time leaving self-doubt.