We hear similar stories about near-death experiences because it is collectively assumed that that is what is supposed to transpire, hence people repeat what they heard in previous stories.
Compare this to alien and UFO sitings. It seems to be a commonly held belief that they have large heads, super Asian eyes and scrawny appendages. That is how we wish to see them so that is what turns into common knowledge.
Area 51 is a “black site”, that's all. You're not going to find Elvis, Amelia Earhart, Groucho Marx, JFK and Hitler there, sorry folks. Hoax-makers, make lots of money. Where is Erich Von Daineken when you need him?
I am not buying this woman's story because she has a history of mental problems or disorders. Now, take a qualified physician or rationalist, scientist. If hey tell the same story then...I'm in.
You’re exactly right. She’s also peddling a book, making money off her experience.
The market for such books & videos is lucrative, much like books and videos about the ufo phenomenon. There’s a hungry audience that is desperate to believe in both of these things.
Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon's Near-Death Experience and Journey into the Afterlife
My grandmother told a similar story in 1973 and she had never heard of “life after death stories.” She wasn’t making it up, for sure. She wasn’t taking strong medication either.
A sense of peace surrounded her the last few months before she died.
Long before “Near Death Stories” were commonly known, researchers found remarkable similarity in the stories from people from many nations and cultures. Dr. Raymond Moody was among the very first to research this phenomena.
People believe because they want to, not because of the level of proof.
That topic is addressed in Scripture, by Jesus in this account.
Luke 16:19-31 “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side.
And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house— for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’
But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’”
No amount of miracles will convince someone if they are not willing to believe. There were plenty of people in Jesus' day who saw Him heal people and raise others from the dead and they still didn't believe.
So, tell me, if someone who you consider *reputable* testifies this is the truth, will you become a believer?
Now, take a qualified physician or rationalist, scientist. If they tell the same story then...I’m in.
Truth is not that easy. It costs a lot to get to the truth of a matter.
There WAS recently a book written by a doctor who underwent a similar episode. It was out last year. It was pretty interesting stuff.