Moreover, it could also be explained in physiological terms; where an individual could have a body illness, or the brain being deprived of oxygen. These could distort their image of the world leading to them not obtaining a real picture of what’s going on, and hence making them think they are undergoing a divine experience, whether religious or near death. It could also be the result of affects in neurological terms (involving the nervous system). The brain could be affected by nerves and how they are working. This could also be in connection with common diseases such as Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis and other, whereby they affect the individual’s brain and what they perceive.
“I tried to tell my nurses what had happened when I woke up, but they told me not to talk about it, that I was just imagining things.” (An individual who claims to have had a near death experience)
These experiences could also be psychological, where an individual feels a sense of isolation. Dreams and delusions could also be a reason. For example, in times of ultimate stress, it tightens sensitivity and stress release endorphins could cause visions. A near death experience can be purely subjective (there could be any reason for it). This is confirmed in Islam, where Muslims believe that a person is either dead or alive, there is no concept of life after death. Islamically, you cannot die and then come back. The soul has gone and that is it.
“No person can ever die accept by Allah’s leave and at an appointed time.” (Quran)
This clearly shows that some religious views claim that there is no such thing as near death experiences; therefore, it can be explained only by scientific views such as psychological, physiological, hallucinations or pharmacological explanations. This means that if it is not a religious experience, then surely it cannot be a near death experience.
Moreover, some put the view forward that a near death experience is non-empirical; therefore, it can certainly not be proved. It cannot be recreated and measured hence, clearly, there is no empirical evidence. In addition to this, only one person has the experience, hence there is only one witness and only one view, therefore, that individual has to prove that he/she had the experience with no other support. This can also lead to us considering whether people are telling the truth, they could be perceptions only. Even so, if these experiences do occur, in particular, during emotional times, we may be just interpreting them wrong; hence they may have nothing to do with death or any such divine experiences. Also, why is it that only some people have a near death experience?
Moreover, religious people who believe in reincarnation could say that memories of their past life ought to reside in their subconscious, and hence could think that the memories they have from a previous life are near death experiences.
However, some may believe that the event is a near death experience but it has nothing to do with religion. Advances in modern technology have resulted in more people who have been declared clinically ‘dead’ subsequently being resuscitated. Dr Raymond Moody realised that the descriptions by these people of what happened to them a while they were ‘dead’ were so similar that it must be more then a coincidence. His research on near death experiences demonstrated that they were common features to the experiences such as at the moment of death, the person has a feeling of being outside the body and of floating above it.
“I saw my body in the water…from the back…I had an airy feeling that was almost indescribable. I felt like a feather” (An individual who claims to have had a near death experience)
This shows that as many people have the same type of experiences near to their ‘death’, it cannot be a coincidence as so many people describe the same characteristics.
Moreover there could be a scientific explanation for these types of experiences, but they are real experiences, however, this does not mean that it has to be religious.
In response to the argument of why only some have near death experience, it could be put forward that this is because only some people nearly die.
The major monotheistic faiths (Islam, Christianity and Judaism) will not recognise a near death experience as religious experiences, because it does not affect their religious belief. However there could be some disagreements to this view.
On the other hand, others merely argue that people can have near death experiences and they can also be considered a religious experience. A near death experience, for many, is life changing, as they believe God is reaching out to them. This could cause a conversion in a person’s life. Religious ideas could now take central place, and that person’s life may have changed so dramatically. Some religious people may believe that the event is a miracle, where the hand of God is behind it. Moreover, for some people it could also provide proof of Gods existence. Some may say it is a revelation experience because of the nature of life after death.
Some features of a near death experience can also prove that the experience can be religious. For example, there is a rapid movement down a tunnel, with a bright light at the end; at the end of the tunnel is a beautiful place, where the person feels in the presence of this divine being. This clearly shows that God or some other divine being plays apart in the experience, so hence it can also be interpreted as a religious experience.
In connection with religion, the near death experience could also have supernatural explanations, i.e. jinn, angels, or any other being that is religiously inspired could be involved with the experience.
Furthermore, Christians believe in life after death. Near death experiences confirm that there is a possibility and the kingdom of God is for everyone. This is shown in the following quote in the Bible, where Jesus speaks to a penitent thief.
“Go give everything you have to the poor and come follow me and you will have treasure in heaven”
At this time, two other were being crucified with Jesus. However one of the thieves was a penitent, whom Jesus told,
“I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise”
This clearly confirms near death experience for Christians. Christians believe Jesus bought a new covenant that all people can enter the kingdom and his death sealed this. For Christians, near death experiences confirm for them entry in to the ‘kingdom’ too, by having this experience, they see a glimpse of it. Moreover, death is an event in life for Christians, life will continue beyond this life as proved in the Covenant. A near death experience confirms this. Christians have more to say about near death experiences than Muslims because the Quran makes clear what happened after death, this is not so clear in the gospel. Hence, a near death experience could be a taste of death.
In conclusion, to a large extent a near death experiences can be considered as a religious experience. This is because both experiences can be perceived as supernatural; they can be described as mental events and are spontaneous. Recipients of religious and near death experiences usually say what has happened to them has ‘drawn them deeper’ into knowledge of awareness of God. This clearly shows the similarities between both types of experiences. Moreover, to a small extent, there is no proof of a near death experience, it is the way the experience is interpreted or it could just be an individual’s blick, the way they look at the world and interpret it. It is subjective rather than objective.