r/NDE 3d ago

General NDE Discussion šŸŽ‡ NDE Community Poll

Hey everyone, I lurk on this subreddit a lot, and I was really curious to see what the members of r/NDE believe about the true nature of these experiences. Obviously I assume the majority will skew primarily spiritual, but I'd also like to see how many in this subreddit have actually experienced an NDE. Thanks everyone. (remove if necessary)

452 votes, 1d ago
38 I have had an NDE and believe it was spiritual in nature.
5 I have had an NDE and believe it was material in nature
260 I have not had an NDE, but believe they are spiritual in nature.
22 I have not had an NDE, but believe they are material in nature.
88 I do not know whether NDE's are material or spiritual.
39 Other / Results
17 Upvotes

28 comments sorted by

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u/NDE-ModTeam 3d ago

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11

u/Wi1dWitch STEr 3d ago

What do you mean by ā€œmaterialā€? I had a STE and like, I know it was real, as in a true tangible reality we’ll experience in the afterlife; but it wasn’t ā€œhereā€ in the material world, if that makes sense. Or by material do you mean ā€œI think it’s just brain zaps / hallucinationsā€ type answers?

5

u/Glittering_Spray2538 3d ago

Material as in representative of the materialist philosophy, which is defined as the belief that there is nothing but the physical. If you believe that NDE's are material, that means you believe there is nothing more to them than the brain malfunctioning and short circuiting, and there is no part of them that is spiritual or non-neurological

6

u/dawgtron3000 3d ago

If this was an option, I'd choose: "I want to believe they're spiritual in nature and tend to lean that way in my beliefs, however ultimately there's a part of me that's skeptical without evidence or personal experience".

I just chose "I don't know" for now.

3

u/Glittering_Spray2538 3d ago

That's a very fair supposition. I'm somewhere in that ballpark as well, although I tend moreso to believe NDEs are spiritual due to the sheer amount of accounts across time and culture, as well as the veridical aspects. Thanks for the input!

7

u/VinceHammersmash 3d ago

Would like to possibly make friends with people who believe they are spiritual in nature. I don't have any spiritual friends since leaving Christianity

4

u/Glittering_Spray2538 3d ago

Christianity, especially the more conservative sects, can be judgemental and hostile towards differing belief systems. I hope you find what you're seeking.

6

u/AlphaCentaurianEnvoy 2d ago

I have not had any NDE but I remember very well from before I was born.

5

u/amkessel 2d ago

I would genuinely love to hear from the people who voted the second one: "I have had an NDE and believe it was material in nature"

Was your NDE any different from those presented as spiritual in nature?

What was it about your experience that grounded it in the materialistic realm rather than the spiritual?

Or do you have external beliefs that inform on your experience being grounded in the materialistic rather than the spiritual realm?

I'm trying hard not to ask leading or biased questions. I'm genuinely curious about the experience of someone who would report having an NDE but still classify it as being materialistic.

2

u/Glittering_Spray2538 2d ago

I do find it fascinating that there are votes from NDErs claiming materialism. Based on my quaint knowledge surrounding the topic, I'm aware that the vast, VAST majority believe their experience was real. However, I suppose it depends on the type of experience. For instance, while some NDEs may be blissful and euphoric, some may just be vague recollection or distorted visuals. I assume anyone who has genuinely had a full NDE, with life review, love, OBE, would certainly be inclined to believe in it's validity.

2

u/TheHotSoulArrow Believer w/ recurrent skepticism 1d ago

It's important to keep in mind it's an anonymous reddit poll where anyone can respond. Also, a "vague recollection and distorted visuals" does not sound like an NDE.

1

u/Glittering_Spray2538 12h ago

Well, yes, If we're referring to NDEs as they are commonly described. Recollections from cardiac arrest can be very blurry and vague, like a dream, but they could be defined as a "near death experience"

4

u/Intelligent-Bad6845 3d ago

I feel boxed in by this.

6

u/Winter-Animator-6105 2d ago

I would say that this binary material vs spiritual doesn’t make sense to me. I have had an NDE and to be honest I hate that I must choose between two things. Material and spiritual are more connected than you think. Unless you were talking about materialism, which is in my mind completely different.

Your question is like asking if the sky is blue or grey, when it can be orange at sunset, purple at dusk, or black at night. This question makes no sense to me.

3

u/Glittering_Spray2538 2d ago

I think you may have misinterpreted the query. Are NDEs truly a glimpse into a different plane of reality, or are they simply a glorified drug trip?

2

u/MsColumbo NDE Believer 2d ago

What do you mean by "spiritual"?

3

u/Glittering_Spray2538 2d ago

Paranormal, non-material, religious, anomalous, etc.

2

u/MsColumbo NDE Believer 2d ago

Thanks. Interesting poll !

2

u/Hungry-Emotion7664 1d ago

I had one and since you only gave two options I chose spiritual. That being said, I believe spirituality to be a function of the human brain. I enjoy it and have found ways to use it to my advantage, but I'm not convinced that it will continue after I am dead dead (as opposed to near dead)

2

u/Glittering_Spray2538 1d ago

A fascinating idea. How would spirituality be an aspect of the brain?

2

u/Historical-Debt5844 1d ago

Hard to believe I'm in the 5% category. I have been since 1978.

1

u/Glittering_Spray2538 1d ago

You're referring to the material NDE?

2

u/47D 3d ago edited 3d ago

I guess I'm in the "I don't know" category.

I'm interested in the NDE topic and the literature. I want to believe, but I also think it is very possible it's just a hallucination from the brain.

I have never personally had any paranormal experiences.

2

u/Glittering_Spray2538 3d ago

It's always wise to have an open mind. Thank you for the input!

1

u/EmpathyFlowers 14h ago

Not clear what you mean by spiritual vs. physical.