S
Starwynd
Guest
I’m not sure where to put these questions.
Have you ever had a near death experience?
Is having one a sin or sinful?
Have you ever had a near death experience?
Is having one a sin or sinful?
- Status
P
puzzleannie
Guest
in the first place I have no idea what the phrase mean, other than the urban legend of someone who is near death, such as because of an accident, and is revived by medical treatment, who claims or feels they had a spiritual encounter of some kind. Trying hard to come up with a scenario on how such an event, even if for some reason the person had a spiritual experience through it, could possibly in anyone’s imagination be sinful. Can you give some example or reason why it might be sinful, and why the topic is suitable and useful for speculation on this forum?
M
Mystic_Warrior
Guest
I haven’t, but many people that I know have had it and I’ve been there with them. Why would having one be sinful?
Peace…
MW
S
Starwynd
Guest
I don’t know if it would be or not, that’s why I asked.
N
Newbie2
Guest
Such an experience is something that would happen to a person without their having anything to do with it; no voluntary action, no sin.
Never had one myself, but have had my…um…self saved by the intercession of my guardian angel.
Never had one myself, but have had my…um…self saved by the intercession of my guardian angel.
L
Lancer
Guest
For real insight to your question and also remain within our Catholic doctrine, I recommend the book: As I Lay Dying: Meditations on Returning ( @ $10–168 pgs) by Father Richard John Neuhaus (a former Lutheran pastor in Manhattan) who is the editor of *First Things *magazine. Father Neuhaus is a terrifically gifted orthodox priest who also has a terrifically gifted sharp mind and discerning intellect. He is a most impressive communicator both verbally and written. A book review note says:
The narrative of Fr. Neuhaus’s illness occupies a relatively small proportion of this memoir. The first three of seven chapters consist of the author’s reflections on the meaning of suffering and death, and especially the existential question of “Why me, now?” (His answer is "Why not?) In chapter five Fr. Neuhaus describes a near-death experience that changed his life, a scene in which he heard two “presences” tell him, “Everything is ready now.” In much of the rest of the book, the author examines and rejects the possibility that the experience was a dream or an hallucination. He is convinced that he witnessed the “door” to a more glorious life after death, and this has, in some sense, profoundly changed his present life.
I hope this suggestion is helpful…the book is winner and a great reminder of how diligently and aggressively we should keep our focus (hearts and minds) on The Things Above…I pray that His Will be done…in every moment of our lives!
Pax Christi
P.S. FYI–Father Neuhaus was clearly put on death’s doorstep by significant and gross medical malpractice…Although strongly encouraged and justifiably so…he refused any recrimination or lawsuits!..How’s that for being counter-cultural!
The narrative of Fr. Neuhaus’s illness occupies a relatively small proportion of this memoir. The first three of seven chapters consist of the author’s reflections on the meaning of suffering and death, and especially the existential question of “Why me, now?” (His answer is "Why not?) In chapter five Fr. Neuhaus describes a near-death experience that changed his life, a scene in which he heard two “presences” tell him, “Everything is ready now.” In much of the rest of the book, the author examines and rejects the possibility that the experience was a dream or an hallucination. He is convinced that he witnessed the “door” to a more glorious life after death, and this has, in some sense, profoundly changed his present life.
I hope this suggestion is helpful…the book is winner and a great reminder of how diligently and aggressively we should keep our focus (hearts and minds) on The Things Above…I pray that His Will be done…in every moment of our lives!
Pax Christi
P.S. FYI–Father Neuhaus was clearly put on death’s doorstep by significant and gross medical malpractice…Although strongly encouraged and justifiably so…he refused any recrimination or lawsuits!..How’s that for being counter-cultural!
M
Marsha_Adams
Guest
When you’re that near death, you don’t really have any controll over your experience, so you could not be accused of willful sin if it were sinful to have one (which it isn’t, but even if is were.)
There are two kinds of near death experience (NDE). One where you see light and one where you see dark. People who have the dark experience often take great pains to get right with God as soon as possible. So I would say that NDE’s are probably good things.
M
Mystic_Warrior
Guest
Well, you can’t really help it if you’re having a near death experience, because…well…you’re dying and none of us can control that. Do you have a particular experience that you could bring to the discussion either publicly or privately?
Peace…
MW
A
Angels_Unaware
Guest
Maybe you think it may be sinful because sometimes people report near death experiences where they are told/shown that God does not judge them and they come back to earth convinced there is no hell, or having other beliefs we associate with being morally permissive and/or associated with the New Age, such as a belief in reincarnation?
I really have no idea what to make of those stories, but I have never believed it could be true that there is no hell for many reasons, including the testimonies of other people who have died and reported seeing hell. I don’t know why other people have contradictary experiences.
Is that why you would think it would be sinful? I cannot imagine it would be sinful unless you wished to leave your body on purpose for no other reason than to see what things are like outside of the body.
I really have no idea what to make of those stories, but I have never believed it could be true that there is no hell for many reasons, including the testimonies of other people who have died and reported seeing hell. I don’t know why other people have contradictary experiences.
Is that why you would think it would be sinful? I cannot imagine it would be sinful unless you wished to leave your body on purpose for no other reason than to see what things are like outside of the body.
S
Starwynd
Guest
No, I haven’t. I’ve only heard a few stories about them.
S
searching4myslf
Guest
Yes I have had a near death experience when i was 12. i had just had back surgery and wound up getting Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS). I don’t remeber much from that summer let alone a bright or dark light. Personally I don’t believe that having a near death experience is sinful. You don’t have control over what happens or if you almost die.
Unless you are trying to commit suicide and wind up failing, then yes i do believe that that almost near death experience might count as sinful since suicide is a sin. Still even then that could be debated on whether they changed their way of thought and turned to God for mercy and help after their attempted suicide.
~searching4myslf
Unless you are trying to commit suicide and wind up failing, then yes i do believe that that almost near death experience might count as sinful since suicide is a sin. Still even then that could be debated on whether they changed their way of thought and turned to God for mercy and help after their attempted suicide.
~searching4myslf
- Status