I stumbled upon a article about an ex-atheist having a near death experience. Naturally, after "his experience" he now believes and is a Rev. for the United Church of Christ.

Personally, I'm not an atheist, and I think organized religion is dangerous, to a certain degree. I still haven't established any beliefs, except for maybe that I hope there is a God or some higher being. I guess that would be make me an agnostic, right? haha.

Here is my question: How does some one read this? Should it be read as an indication that MAYBE there is a heaven and hell? That maybe we should believing. Should it be ignored and considered as propaganda?

Here is the full article:

http://archive.southcoasttoday.com/daily/01-04/01-31-04/c04rg223.htm

Here is the shorter version:

http://www.neatorama.com/2007/07/20/near-death-experience-of-an-atheist/

One more thing, I believe there are other sources and book in the world than just the "holy book."

One last thing, I've read "The End of Faith."
I've also read "A Letter To A Christian Nation." by Sam Harris.

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I think deep about such experiences...they mark my existence...

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Years ago I worked for an ambulance company in Phoenix, AZ. The first thing I picked up on is differences in peoples definition of near death. Example, if someone has led a trauma free life, has an accident of some sort which results in being unconscious, they often think it was a near death experience. My reaction to near death stories is always with skepticism because of that. As for the religion aspect. I really do believe, that as humans, we are programmed, or even "hard wired" to accept religion. I say that because all cultures, although separated by time and geography, have all developed some religion. It can be the people on Easter Island, a tribe in a Brazilian rain forest, the Incas, Mayans, Druids, it doesn't matter. All cultures develop religions. It must be a gene we posses.

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Being close to death is a fearful and anxious situation for anyone to encounter. I wouldn't believe in a cockroach god or a cockroach near death experience either simply because a creature had a brush with death.

It's one thing to have a discussion on inference, string theory and parallel universes and another to invent things to ease our fears and anxieties. Speak to any child who has trouble distinguishing fact from fantasy and dreams.

Some of the science explores the changes that are experienced in the brain of people who have made these claims. I remember a research study of people who made such claims. Printed messages were left on the tops of equipment and filing cabinets in hospital rooms. People claimed to be able to look down and see themselves, but weren't able to see the messages that were written for them.

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