shifterknob

I assume you are referring to Piltdown Man here. It is true that many were fooled by this hoax, but I would point out two things. It was a particularly good hoax, and fooled some people pretty thoroughly. But it was science that proved it was a hoax, and there were many well-known paleontologists that were extremely skeptical at the time due to questionable aspects of the available evidence. Science has often been wrong, but science has a self-correcting nature, and it's own internal self-critiquing methodology ensures that errors are weeded out. This is what seperates belief from scientic theory: inherant skepticism, peer review, repeatability of results, and self-critiquing protocols...

Hmmm... let's examine the rationale behind this statement, shall we?
"I've never agreed that skeptics have a monopoly on objectivity." Does your opinion matter? What I mean is, this statement defines your belief. It is not neccesarily a statement of fact.
Skepticism is not about belief. Skepticism is about fact. Skepticism demands proof, in the form of repeatability and critical analysis. It is not a belief system in and of itself. It is a doctrine of systematic doubt, exemplified by rigorous internal critiquing protocols.
Belief is that which is not quantifiable or proveable by any methods...

Cthulhu

A physiological explanation is "simplistic"? Compared to what? I suppose you believe the scientific explanation for various diseases to be "simplistic" compared to the "explanation" that they're caused by evil spirits?

As usual, you miss the point. I didn't say you couldn't use a Christian site, I just find it odd that of all the info about this subject on the web, you latch on to this one site in particular, ostensibly because of its Christian bias, and ignore all the other ones that might contradict your religious preconceptions.

Oh, for Christ's sake! Do I have to do provide you with every goddamn link on the internet myself? Do you know how to use a freakin' search engine?

Fine. Here's a few more (the rest you can go dig up yourself):

Hindu #1
Hindu #2
Mormon
Native American

Here's three from the perspective of some of your fellow Christians, including the belief that NDEs are a product of...guess who? Who could it be? Oh, I don't know...SATAN?!
Christian #1
Christian #2
Christian #3

And here's one dealing with the similarities and differences in experience with people of different belief systems:

http://www.lutz-sanfilippo.com/library/lsfnde.html

And there's a plethora of sites dealing with this stuff from a "New Age" perspective as well, but I'm sure you're not interested in what those evil, devil-worshipping freaks have to say, are ya?


You know, the fact is I do agree that there is no definitive evidence one way or the other yet. What is needed is more research, plain and simple. At the very least, it could provide some valuable insights into how the brain functions. And if it really does lead to the discovery of the reality of posthumous survival, then obviously that would be arguably the most momentous discovery in the history of mankind. Time will tell...maybe.

Daggah

The only dogmatic thing anyone has said in this thread is above (the statement is not just saying NDEs are unexplained - but that they're unexplainable.) Guess who said it?

Yeah, that's right. Radorth.

Radorth

Re Ct

No you missed the point. My main site was the most balanced and extensive I know of.

Better than some here apparently. No you don't have to look anything up. That was never an issue. The issue is your picking nits about which non-Christians we look at and your personal remarks. My sites talked about all kinds of studies and results on both Indians and Hindus. Did you read any of them? They probably help make you point. (If we can figure out just what it is).

From the king of thoughtful speed readers, Daggah:

Biff, apparently, who said

The man has his opinions.

And yes, with the knowledge we have now, NDE's are inexplicable and as Chalmers said, may never be fully explained except to dogmatists. BTW Daggah, are you going on record as saying they are sufficiently explained or not?

We like to know who the real dogmatists on the are so we can just ignore them. It saves time.

Rad

Radorth

Well after reading all this stuff again, I've decided life on earth begins as an atheist, who is reincarnated into thirty or so Hindus and other non-Christian searchers, moves up to open-minded agnostic and is finally reincarnated as a Christian, saved by grace and ever grateful for the atonement.

Rad

Radorth

Well actually I've read about 10-15 of them, and I take them for what they are worth. Of course I've never believed only people who are Christians at death can be saved, so I wouldn't have a problem.

You've been reading my posts how long?

Or maybe you don't actually read them.

Rad

Yellum Notnef

You forgot to mention the Zen training.