Does a near death experience change the person's idea of death?

Answer 1

Typically, yes. This is if the near death experience, or 'NDE', was one that the Survivor could recall and come to terms with. Most NDEs will result in brain damage or severe disability due to their very nature. Despite popular culture, few NDEs survivors are able to retell their experiences. However! Dr. Sam Parnia's fascinating book 'What Happens When We Die' suggests most survivors that experienced an NDE experience strong emotions and gratitude when they recall their experience. It might be argued that anyone that had been 'near' death would do this given the circumstances. Most survivors become more spiritual, relaxed, but interestingly less religious in the sense they cannot confirm to any one set of beliefs. NDEs are usually a positive experience that leaves the survivor feeling reassured and less fearful of their ultimate fate. Since they feel that cannot understand their experience, they become more open-minded and less sceptical of all beliefs. A.J. Ayer, a British logical positivist philosopher was a famous atheist who had an NDE and was remarked to have questioned everything he had ever said about life after death. Some say this is not really what happened though - yet he was recorded to say he is no longer as certain as he once was, and hopes that death IS the end for him.