LAD: Near Death LAD: Near Death Experiences Experiences Mr. DeZilvaMr. DeZilvaMarch 10March 10thth, 2014., 2014.

What is Near Death What is Near Death Experience? (NDE)Experience? (NDE)

NDE refers to the wide range of experiences NDE refers to the wide range of experiences people have had at a point when they nearly diedpeople have had at a point when they nearly died

An An “out-of-body experience”“out-of-body experience” or a “seeing a or a “seeing a bright light at the end of the tunnel” experiencebright light at the end of the tunnel” experience

NDE’s contain similar features (such as the above), NDE’s contain similar features (such as the above), and this typically gives credence to their factualityand this typically gives credence to their factuality

Medical studies suggests that NDE is reported by Medical studies suggests that NDE is reported by between 8%-12% of patients who have been between 8%-12% of patients who have been resuscitated after suffering cardiac arrest.resuscitated after suffering cardiac arrest.

Raymond Moody (1944 Raymond Moody (1944 - )- )

ContextContext A parapsychologist who coined the term “Near A parapsychologist who coined the term “Near

Death Experience”Death Experience” Wrote Wrote Life After DeathLife After Death in 1975, in which he in 1975, in which he

discussed Near Death Experiences and brought discussed Near Death Experiences and brought the topic to popularitythe topic to popularity

Recorded the descriptions of patients who had Recorded the descriptions of patients who had claimed to have NDEs and found several claimed to have NDEs and found several common featurescommon features

Moody continuedMoody continued

Common characteristics includeCommon characteristics include The subjective sense of being aware of one’s own The subjective sense of being aware of one’s own

deathdeath A pleasant feeling of peace and painlessnessA pleasant feeling of peace and painlessness A sense of being outside the body and being able to A sense of being outside the body and being able to

look down on one’s own body from abovelook down on one’s own body from above A sense of going into somewhere dark and tunnel-likeA sense of going into somewhere dark and tunnel-like Encountering a presence or hearing a voiceEncountering a presence or hearing a voice Feeling an intense sense of being surrounded by loveFeeling an intense sense of being surrounded by love Meeting people who “glow with light”Meeting people who “glow with light” Seeing one’s whole life in a flashSeeing one’s whole life in a flash

Support to NDEsSupport to NDEs

Kenneth Ring (1936 - )Kenneth Ring (1936 - ) American psychologist who expanded on Moody’s workAmerican psychologist who expanded on Moody’s work Studied blind people and noted they were able to see Studied blind people and noted they were able to see

in the NDE and during out-of-body experiences.in the NDE and during out-of-body experiences. NDEs were not subject to a person’s religion NDEs were not subject to a person’s religion The The

feeling of being surrounded by love was in commonfeeling of being surrounded by love was in common NDEs also had a lasting effect i.e. people were no NDEs also had a lasting effect i.e. people were no

longer afraid of death, they had a new appreciation of longer afraid of death, they had a new appreciation of the world, and were less concerned with material the world, and were less concerned with material possessionpossession

Concluded that life after death is a genuine realityConcluded that life after death is a genuine reality

Support to NDEsSupport to NDEs

William JamesWilliam James (1842 – 1910) (1842 – 1910) Varieties of Religious ExperienceVarieties of Religious Experience Suggested that a religious experience could be Suggested that a religious experience could be

validated by its lasting effectsvalidated by its lasting effects Showing Showing saintliness saintliness (for example)(for example)

The religious experience was The religious experience was validatedvalidated base base on if the person was made more caring and on if the person was made more caring and more moralmore moral

Focused on the Focused on the pragmaticpragmatic ((practical) practical) consequences of the Religious Experienceconsequences of the Religious Experience

Challenges to NDEsChallenges to NDEs

1. NEDs only happen in a small proportion of those who 1. NEDs only happen in a small proportion of those who become clinically dead for a whilebecome clinically dead for a while

2. Sensations typical of NDEs can also be experienced 2. Sensations typical of NDEs can also be experienced by people who are not near death at allby people who are not near death at all

3. Experiments show that nothing actually leaves the 3. Experiments show that nothing actually leaves the body during an “out-of-body experience”body during an “out-of-body experience”

4. No objective basis for looking down on one’s own 4. No objective basis for looking down on one’s own bodybody

5. An “ought” that influences the experience5. An “ought” that influences the experience

6. Just because it “feels real” does not make it reality6. Just because it “feels real” does not make it reality

7. No evidence for the “After-life” even if experienced 7. No evidence for the “After-life” even if experienced an “out-of-body” experiencean “out-of-body” experience