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5270
qualitative
book
Holden, Janice Miner, et al. The Handbook of Near-Death Experiences: Thirty Years of Investigation. Praeger Publishers, 2009, Chapter 5, The NDE of Daniel, p. 99.
The Handbook of Near-Death Experiences, The NDE of Daniel, Chapter 5, p. 99, 2009
2009
4
M
Daniel, fourteen at interview time but four during NDE, experienced significant encounter during one of many medical crises. Born with multiple severe congenital defects including incomplete esophagus, imperforate anus, and spina bifida, child with such conditions would have undergone numerous surgeries and faced constant medical crises throughout early years. NDE at age four occurred during unspecified medical event when in imminent danger of death. Medical context was chronic severe illness from birth with life-threatening defects.
Core of Daniel's experience was not journey through tunnel or life review but direct vivid encounter with Jesus Christ. Most remarkable aspect was not meeting itself but specific unorthodox details of Jesus's appearance that Daniel recalled. Experience came to light when mother showing him religious book containing conventional illustration of Jesus. Daniel adamantly rejected picture, insisting it was not accurate depiction, stating Jesus "didn't look anything like" illustration. When pressed, he provided details from NDE memory. Said Jesus he met wore "black flowing cape." Also focused on hands, stating he remembered them being soft but crucially they "didn't bleed like the picture on the wall." This description radical departure from common Western iconography of Jesus typically portrayed in white or light-colored robes, often shown with stigmata or crucifixion wounds in hands. Case has no claims of veridical perception of physical world. Evidentiary weight comes from unexpected counter-cultural nature of child's description. Despite exposure to traditional religious imagery, personal experience provided vision that contradicted it, challenging skeptical argument that NDEs are merely products of expectation or cultural scripts. Daniel's experience not what he had been taught to expect; rather unique personal revelation he held with conviction even when correcting mother and religious art. Account corroborated by mother who reported spontaneous insistent comments to researcher. At interview age fourteen, Daniel had undergone seventeen major operations and had many NDEs in early years, suggesting life punctuated by repeated brushes with death. Final statement reflects profound peace regarding mortality: "Death's all right. I know I could die any time so I just live each day. I'd say to people who are dying, Don't be afraid. It's a beautiful place."
5
Unknown
3
0
7
Weak Evidence
4
Multiple severe birth defects creating chronic life-threatening condition (2 points). No medical monitoring or sensory barriers documented (0 points). Retrospective report (1 point). Total: 3 points.
Experience is entirely subjective encounter with Jesus. No veridical claims about physical world. Score: 0 points.
written_account
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0.00
0.00
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8/10/2025
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