Heaven Is Real: A Doctor's Experience With the Afterlife

 Eben Alexander, Neurosurgeon

Published October 8, 2012

http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2012/10/07/proof-of-heaven-a-doctor-s-experience-with-the-afterlife.html

During seven days in a coma, a neurosurgeon takes a trip to the afterlife.

Summary:

While a neurosurgeon was in a coma, he experienced a trip to the afterlife. Doctor Eben Alexander has been a neurosurgeon for the past 25 years. During that time, he has become a firm believer in the theory of evolution, rather than the idea of creationism (Adam and Eve). He had come to accept that he did not know where the beginning cells came from, and that he did not know all that was out there. Dr. Alexander considered himself a christian, but he never accepted the theory involving God. A powerful being that is known to many through faith. That all changed, though, after he fell into a coma and experienced what he is now calling a trip to the afterlife. He describes his journey to the afterlife which included great beings that were flying - but not butterflies or birds - and making a noise of pure happiness, a woman who was kind and reassuring, and "an inky darkness that was also brimming with light". All of these descriptions were used to emphasize the peace and joy he felt in this new place he believes was the afterlife. While there are many skeptics - he does not hold it against people - he tries to persuade them, not to accuse them of inferior knowledge. He explains in detail about his cortex was completely shut down, rather than just being unconscious. With his cortex having been shut down while he was in a coma (for seven days), there is no concrete answer of how he could have imagined this journey from a scientist's perspective.

Connection to Honors Biology:

During the first weeks of school, we discussed in class the difference of science versus pseudoscience. However, this article has most likely made many people who have also been believers of the theory of evolution, question their beliefs. If this article had been written by someone who had not worked in a science related field for twenty five years, it most likely would not have gotten so much publicity. Dr. Alexander's field comes along with many stereotypes, including brains and skill. People tend to trust and respect a doctor's opinion because they usually approach a situation from a "logical" perspective. Yet this article not only completely contradicts this stereotype, but also gives an understandable, step by step process of the way Dr. Alexander came to the conclusion he did. In this case, people would have to use their own opinions and beliefs to define Dr. Alexander's findings as either science or pseudoscience.