notMichaelJackson

I have begun examining a few near death experiences, such as the ones from www.near-death.com. Many like to point to them as proof of an afterlife, but I must examine them before I draw such a conclusion.

There are scientific/medical explainations for these experiences. One is that when blood is removed from the brain it can cause strange delusions to occur. Another explaination is that NDE's are "physiological episodes," the body trying to make sense of everything after a tramatic event.

Again, while some of the strongest evidence of God and an afterlife, I think it must be examined.

Thoughts?

sweep

there's quite a thread on this subject on the second page, by ps418, if you're interested, NMJ

Philosoft

Good idea.

These are all perfectly good explanations. I mentioned some more in this thread.
This is what I don't understand. We have good naturalistic explanations of these phenomena, some of which are even lab-repeatable. We don't know anything about 'afterlife experiences' other than the tautologic presumption that NDEs are 'afterlife experiences.' Occam's Razor is fairly jumping out of my hand at this point. Why is any of this strong evidence of God and and afterlife?

The Admiral

Michael

Read "Dying To Live" by Susan Blackmore, a former believer turned skeptic. She is a person with legitimate and impressive credentials.

For the crass money making side of the issue do a search for Betty Eadie.

The Admiral

Amie

Have you read her book?

The Admiral

Amie

Yes, I have read "Embraced by the Light".

The Admiral

Darth Dane

Well if Jesus is anyone to go by, your faith will save you. If you believe you have sinned and will go to hell, maybe you will. Maybe those who have a NDE, just "wanted" to see waht would happen, they heard about the light and jesus perhaps, and wouldn´t it be grand to go to heaven.






DD - NDE Spliff

Amie

and do you think it is her intention to deceive people? what did you think of her story?

I must say I had a NDE but mine was nothing like what she claimed.

The Admiral

Amie

Concerning Betty Eadie. yes, I think her intention is to deceive and she is very successful at it. I thought the book was nonsense.

Have you visited her website? She has a large following . After reading Embraced by the light I posted a couple of times on her forum giving my opinion. Let me tell you, I write letters to the editor in my local paper in which I clearly identify myself as an Atheist and I get some criticism but nothing like the immediate hostility I aroused with what I thought was pretty mild criticism on that site. I believe that I would have been physically assaulted had I confronted these people personally.

The Admiral

Amie

Hi Admiral
okay fair enough.
I enjoyed reading about her experience because I have had one as well. I don't see why she would be intentionally trying to deceive people...

I have never been to her site but I am sorry you were treated so horribly