The Near-Death Experience: A Survey of Clergy's Attitudes and Knowledge

Abstract

Reports on a questionnaire survey of 174 clergy in an attempt to discover their attitudes and knowledge of the near-death experience. Concludes that it is not rare for near death accounts to be reported to clergy, that such reports are hardly ever “hellish” in tone, and that near-death experiencers tend to become more religious and their fear of dying lessened. Notes implications for pastoral counselors and speculates as to the reasons pastoral counselors may hesitate to introduce the topic of near-death experiences into their counseling.