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632
quantitative
webpage
NDERF 717 Santo C NDE 21035
https://nderf.org/Experiences/1santo_c_nde.html
1968
1968-05-16
2005
M
Santo C was wounded in Vietnam on May 16, 1968, when a mortar round struck near him. The injury was severe - he noted that another half-inch and he would have been dead. Upon being wounded, he suddenly found himself above his body, looking down at himself on the ground. From this elevated perspective approximately fifteen feet above his physical form, he had no body or form himself. His first thought was concern for the three women in his life and how they would cry upon learning of his death. He experienced a warm, secure feeling that everything would be alright, accompanied by a sense of unconditional love. However, once he thought about those women crying rather than himself, he was immediately hurled back into his body and found himself up and running despite his injuries.
The experience included a profound sense of timelessness, with time appearing to stand still. He felt super-alert with a "cottony" feeling, and experienced a level of all-knowing understanding. The emotional content was mixed - sadness for the women who would grieve, yet a pervasive sense that everything was okay, with no fear present. He understood death as simply another stage of life rather than an ending. When he came to the border or point of no return, he felt he was sent back specifically because he had thought of others first rather than himself. Following the NDE, Santo developed psychic abilities he did not previously possess. From that point forward, he could always "hear" his mother and sister's voices in his head when they were in trouble. His friends became accustomed to him saying he needed to go to his sister because he heard her calling, and every time this happened, his sister or mother would confirm they had needed him and thought of him first during their physical or spiritual troubles. --- Biblical Summary --- Biblical elements: The experience contains several elements consistent with biblical accounts of the afterlife. The out-of-body experience aligns with Paul's description of being "caught up to the third heaven" (2 Corinthians 12:2-4). The warm, secure feeling and unconditional love Santo experienced reflects the biblical concept of God's perfect love. His understanding that death is another stage of life resonates with biblical teachings about eternal life. The experience of being sent back because he thought of others first rather than himself reflects Christ's teaching about selfless love being the greatest commandment. The development of supernatural knowledge about family members in distress could be interpreted as a spiritual gift of discernment mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12. Unbiblical elements: The experience lacks several key biblical elements and contains some potentially problematic aspects. There is no mention of encountering God, Jesus, angels, or any divine beings, which are common in biblical visions. The concept of being sent back simply for thinking of others first, while noble, doesn't align with biblical accounts of divine encounters where specific missions or messages are given. The psychic abilities developed afterward - specifically hearing voices of living people in distress - more closely resemble clairvoyance than biblical spiritual gifts. The Bible warns against certain forms of supernatural communication (Deuteronomy 18:10-12). Additionally, the complete absence of any life review, judgment, or divine presence differs from biblical descriptions of the afterlife.
5
Other
5
8
18
Moderate Evidence
5
Severe combat injury from mortar round, life-threatening but not clinical death
Clear OBE with specific height mentioned (15 feet) but no verifiable observations
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4/16/2025
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