Let's talk Genesis. . . . . . .REALLY

[DRMIZER]

This is an offshoot of sub_zer0's thread. . . . . . .


Absurdities in Genesis

God creates light and separates light from darkness, and day from night, on the first day. Yet he didn't make the light producing objects (the sun and the stars) until the fourth day (1:14-19). 1:3-5

God spends one-sixth of his entire creative effort (the second day) working on a solid firmament. This strange structure, which God calls heaven, is intended to separate the higher waters from the lower waters. 1:6-8

Plants are made on the third day before there was a sun to drive their photosynthetic processes (1:14-19). 1:11

In an apparent endorsement of astrology, God places the sun, moon, and stars in the firmament so that they can be used "for signs". This, of course, is exactly what astrologers do: read "the signs" in the Zodiac in an effort to predict what will happen on Earth. 1:14

"He made the stars also." God spends a day making light (before making the stars) and separating light from darkness; then, at the end of a hard day's work, and almost as an afterthought, he makes the trillions of stars. 1:16

"And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth." 1:17

God makes the animals and parades them before Adam to see if any would strike his fancy. But none seem to have what it takes to please him. (Although he was tempted to go for the sheep.) After making the animals, God has Adam name them all. The naming of several million species must have kept Adam busy for a while. 2:18-20

God's clever, talking serpent. 3:1

God walks and talks (to himself?) in the garden, and plays a little hide and seek with Adam and Eve. 3:8-11

God curses the serpent. From now on the serpent will crawl on his belly and eat dust. One wonders how he got around before -- by hopping on his tail, perhaps? But snakes don't eat dust, do they? 3:14

God expels Adam and Eve from the garden before they get a chance to eat from that other tree -- the tree of life. God knows that if they do that, they well become "like one of us" and live forever. 3:22-24

Cain is worried after killing Abel and says, "Every one who finds me shall slay me." This is a strange concern since there were only two other humans alive at the time -- his parents! 4:14

"And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD." 4:16 HUH?

"And Cain knew his wife." That's nice, but where the hell did she come from? 4:17

Lamech kills a man and claims that since Cain's murderer would be punished sevenfold, whoever murders him will be punished seventy-seven fold. That sounds fair. 4:23-24

God created a man and a woman, and he "called their name Adam." So the woman's name was Adam, too! 5:2

THIS IS THE WORD OF GOD OR THE WORD OF MEN?

Come on folks, wake up, just a litttle bit.

[::Major_Baker::]

Mizer I bet this thread will sial through withotu so much as a bible beater to argue it.
"some things you just have to have faith in" even if its literally impossible.

[DRMIZER]

Mizer I bet this thread will sial through withotu so much as a bible beater to argue it.
"some things you just have to have faith in" even if its literally impossible.Yep. Ya gotta believe a whole lotta stuff to get through this book. You have to disburse with your brain.....all the way.

[Larani]

DRMIZER, DRMIZER you cannot take a story that was not meant to be taken literally or even argue it in a literal way. You can of course argue the behavior of individuals to take it literal when of course to do so will indeed present such an erroneous outcome.

Genesis is simply the setting of a story to present certain truths; truths that well many of us avoid for whatever reasons some ignorance and others well they have their self-serving reasons.

As in all writings there is a spirit present a current of meaning, take for example the US Constitution, with its “ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL”, now one knows one could not take that literal especially since there were slaves present at the time of its writing and of course all men themselves are not nor never could be equal, some men are indeed bigger, some smarter, some faster some more flexible and the list goes on, but the point the meaning behind the words that ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL had nothing to do with any physical parameters and as such is silly to then try and apply literal physical parameters to such writings.

Where the truth of the Constitution does come out and where all men are indeed equal is in our ability to choose our freedom which we always have from the moment we are born even a slave has the ability to choose he can choose to serve as a slave or he can choose to appose such a position even if such an action means his or her death, but if the latter can it not be said he or she died a Free Man regardless of the choices he or she was given?

Genesis is about the polarity of Man that which is Holy and that which is Unholy or to use another term that which is Christ and that which is the Anti-Christ or another term that which is Ying and that which is Yang, or how about something a little more current that which is The Force and that which is the Darkside.

Taken this way I am sure you will see that which is hidden within the sentences and paragraphs of the story. It is like a giant Parable meant to convey something really BIG something to bring enlightenment to those who eyes are open and who are prepared to see or who’s ears are listening and who are prepared to hear.

[sub_zer0]

Let me help you better understand how a Christian - who has accepted Jesus Christ into their heart and believe the Bible is the word of God - should comprehend Genesis. Just so there is no confusion.

God creates light and separates light from darkness, and day from night, on the first day. Yet he didn't make the light producing objects (the sun and the stars) until the fourth day (1:14-19). 1:3-5

What God did is connect the light (most likely from a heavenly presence such as God) to a specific light source on day 4.

God spends one-sixth of his entire creative effort (the second day) working on a solid firmament. This strange structure, which God calls heaven, is intended to separate the higher waters from the lower waters. 1:6-8

This firmament is Heaven, but Heaven in this case is also space and the atmosphere.

In an apparent endorsement of astrology, God places the sun, moon, and stars in the firmament so that they can be used "for signs". This, of course, is exactly what astrologers do: read "the signs" in the Zodiac in an effort to predict what will happen on Earth. 1:14

"He made the stars also." God spends a day making light (before making the stars) and separating light from darkness; then, at the end of a hard day's work, and almost as an afterthought, he makes the trillions of stars. 1:16

"And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth." 1:17

Placing the moon, sun and stars in the firmament is not endorsing astrology, rather God put them there so that me and you could relate to Him through this creation in faith (Psalms 8:1-4), weather (Matthew 16:1-4), prophecy (Matthew 2:2 and Luke 21:25) and judgment (Joel 2:29-32 and Matthew 24:29). The stars are no afterthought, rather a divine creation just like the rest.

God makes the animals and parades them before Adam to see if any would strike his fancy. But none seem to have what it takes to please him. (Although he was tempted to go for the sheep.) After making the animals, God has Adam name them all. The naming of several million species must have kept Adam busy for a while. 2:18-20

The action by God to have animals accumulate around Adamn was two-fold. One was to name all the animals as man is to have dominion over earth. And two was to prepare Adam to realize that he needed something else that was not inferior to him.

God's clever, talking serpent. 3:1

God walks and talks (to himself?) in the garden, and plays a little hide and seek with Adam and Eve. 3:8-11

God curses the serpent. From now on the serpent will crawl on his belly and eat dust. One wonders how he got around before -- by hopping on his tail, perhaps? But snakes don't eat dust, do they? 3:14

God is not talking to Himself. "Voice" is better translated to "sound" and God "walking" is understood to be "traversing back and forth in the Garden" looking for Adam and Eve. And the "cool of the day", is better understood as "spirit of the day", as the Hebrew word for both is the same.

God is trying to connect with man, so He acts like one. God is traversing the Garden, and calling out for Adam and Eve. Wanting them to come back into His presence. God comes asking questions, not accusing them of anything.

Adam and Eve both hide themselves from God, from His presence, because of the agelong process of hiding oneself from God. Yet He always calls out for you, it takes you to hear it.

God expels Adam and Eve from the garden before they get a chance to eat from that other tree -- the tree of life. God knows that if they do that, they well become "like one of us" and live forever. 3:22-24

Yes, like "like one of us", God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. If they eat from that tree they able to live forever. Eating from the first tree did nothing, but take Adam and Eve away from Gods presence and did in fact make them like "one of us" or like Satan and his fallen angels. They know sin, now Adam and Eve do to.

Cain is worried after killing Abel and says, "Every one who finds me shall slay me." This is a strange concern since there were only two other humans alive at the time -- his parents! 4:14

What Cains idea is behind that quote is that blood revenge is to pay for death of somebody by murder.

"And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD." 4:16 HUH?

Exactly what it says, but is also symbolic for humanity. It protrays the direction in which, both physically and spiritually humanity goes when unsaved or sinful; into exile, without God and without hope in the world.

"And Cain knew his wife." That's nice, but where the hell did she come from? 4:17

Your questions are answered in Genesis 5:4. While Cain was Adam and Eves first child, Genesis 4:1. But Adam and Eve had more than one. They had Cain, Abel and Seth. Seth had sons and daughters, the daughters which Cain could marry if he chose do so.

Lamech kills a man and claims that since Cain's murderer would be punished sevenfold, whoever murders him will be punished seventy-seven fold. That sounds fair. 4:23-24

By Lamech assuming that he will be avenged by God seventy-fold for killing somebody out of revenge, clearly displays the arrogance put into mankind from sinning. Lamech had taken law into his own hands and had killed somebody out of revenge. Mankinds wickedness had spread to the top of government and it sets the background as to why God sent the flood.

[Scaryclouds]

DRMIZER, DRMIZER you cannot take a story that was not meant to be taken literally or even argue it in a literal way. You can of course argue the behavior of individuals to take it literal when of course to do so will indeed present such an erroneous outcome.



Exactly! See the problem is that you over emphasis the story of how the universe was created yet other than the fact God created the universe (which I realize is very important) it is not that important part of being either a Jew or Christian. Not only that there are many parts of the Bible that should not be taken literally, this is another one of them.

Let me give you an analogy, when you write an biography about yourself or another person what are you going to spend mrore time on how he was born or how he/she lived?

[Sauniere]

Your questions are answered in Genesis 5:4. While Cain was Adam and Eves first child, Genesis 4:1. But Adam and Eve had more than one. They had Cain, Abel and Seth. Seth had sons and daughters, the daughters which Cain could marry if he chose do so.

If we are all descended from Adam and Eve, and Cain married one of his brother's daughters, well then how come we aren't all bleeping idiots? And with whom did Seth have children? Eve? Talk about the mother of all inbreeding!

[mataj]

DRMIZER, DRMIZER you cannot take a story that was not meant . . . Oh dear... Another one that explains what was meant so that seeing we may see, and not perceive; and hearing we may hear, and not understand; lest at any time we should be converted, and ours sins should be forgiven us (Mark 4,12)

Let me help you better understand how a Christian - who has accepted Jesus Christ into their heart and believe the Bible is the word of God - should comprehend Genesis.That pretty much rules me out. Guess I can't argue with the rest of your post.

[Larani]

Oh dear... Another one that explains what was meant so that seeing we may see, and not perceive; and hearing we may hear, and not understand; lest at any time we should be converted, and ours sins should be forgiven us (Mark 4,12)


Hey let's just say I provide yet another plausible explanation and different view on things if it were. Nor do I see you providing anything less. albeit maybe with a little more flare and a lot less detail, thus leaving me to ponder what did you all mean, even though I do not think you understood what I meant about seeing and hearing since you quoted Mark as if that is what I meant, when in truth I did not. I only meant what I wrote and that is in every story there is an intent a purpose or deeper meaning that the writer often is trying to convey and that personal prejudices or other factors such as dogma obscure such meanings from individuals often simply because they do not wish to see them, for whatever reason as I stated.


ADDED.... TO Drimzer

Drimzer my post was in error in its beggininig I wrote you cannot when in truth you can thus scratch that and insert you could. you might, you may or whatever suits your fancy

[Russikan]

DRMIZER, DRMIZER you cannot take a story that was not meant to be taken literally or even argue it in a literal way.

This thread is aimed at those who do take it literally, such as subzero, who has impassionately argued the complete literal meaning of the entire Bible.

Genesis is about the polarity of Man that which is Holy and that which is Unholy or to use another term that which is Christ and that which is the Anti-Christ or another term that which is Ying and that which is Yang, or how about something a little more current that which is The Force and that which is the Darkside.

Do I detect Blashphemy against all that is truly Holy? The Force, I'll have you know, is Everything. The Dark Side is but a facet of it's infinite multitude. So that last part would be quite incorrect.

Love,
The Only Russian Star Wars Geek

PS I don't really believe it is holy. Just in case someone thought that.

[NiteGuy]

Do I detect Blashphemy against all that is truly Holy? The Force, I'll have you know, is Everything. The Dark Side is but a facet of it's infinite multitude. So that last part would be quite incorrect.

Don't underestimate the power of the Darkside, Russikan. Join me, and together we can rule the Galaxy as Father and, umm, well, Russikan!

:lol: :sorry:

[sub_zer0]

If we are all descended from Adam and Eve, and Cain married one of his brother's daughters, well then how come we aren't all bleeping idiots? And with whom did Seth have children? Eve? Talk about the mother of all inbreeding!

Genesis 3:20: "And Adam called his wife's name Eve: because she was the mother of all living"

All human beings are related, because they are all descendants of the first man, Adam, and the first woman, Eve. Which is why a person who has been born again (or one who has a relationship with God - such as Adam and Eve) calls others who are born again their brother or sister in Christ.

You can get the picture that when Adam and Eve were created by God and put into this perfect enviroment, their genetics must have been created superior and much more complex then they are now. What I mean by that is that the genetics of the person born from inbreeding would not be affected. Once sin entered into the world, and children had been born, it took time, but eventually the genetics became less complex and results in what we can't do today.

[Russikan]

Don't underestimate the power of the Darkside, Russikan. Join me, and together we can rule the Galaxy as Father and, umm, well, Russikan!

:lol: :sorry:

Did I say I don't appreciate the Darkside? No. I just said it is one facet of the force that can be put to use my a competent force user. Like for example, me.

[Sauniere]

Genesis 3:20: "And Adam called his wife's name Eve: because she was the mother of all living"

All human beings are related, because they are all descendants of the first man, Adam, and the first woman, Eve. Which is why a person who has been born again (or one who has a relationship with God - such as Adam and Eve) calls others who are born again their brother or sister in Christ.

You can get the picture that when Adam and Eve were created by God and put into this perfect enviroment, their genetics must have been created superior and much more complex then they are now. What I mean by that is that the genetics of the person born from inbreeding would not be affected. Once sin entered into the world, and children had been born, it took time, but eventually the genetics became less complex and results in what we can't do today.

ok, dat esplane dat... :rolleyes:

[dittohead not!]

Actually, there are a lot of things left out of Genesis, or perhaps lost over the mellenia. One of the most important things that has been lost is this:

God saw that Adam was alone in the Garden of Eden, and said, "Yo, Adam. Aren't you kind of lonely down there? Wouldn't it be better if you had a woman to keep you company?"
Adam replied, "Yes, lord, that would be wonderful, but can you make me one I can understand?"
"Of course, Adam, I can do anything even that. The problem is, it will cost you an arm and a leg."
"Oh, I see. Well, what can you do for, say, a rib?"

That lost passage explains a lot of things.

[DRMIZER]

DRMIZER, DRMIZER you cannot take a story that was not meant to be taken literally or even argue it in a literal way. You can of course argue the behavior of individuals to take it literal when of course to do so will indeed present such an erroneous outcome. My point exactly.

Genesis is simply the setting of a story to present certain truths; truths that well many of us avoid for whatever reasons some ignorance and others well they have their self-serving reasons.Precisely

As in all writings there is a spirit present a current of meaning, take for example the US Constitution, with its “ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL”, now one knows one could not take that literal especially since there were slaves present at the time of its writing and of course all men themselves are not nor never could be equal, some men are indeed bigger, some smarter, some faster some more flexible and the list goes on, but the point the meaning behind the words that ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL had nothing to do with any physical parameters and as such is silly to then try and apply literal physical parameters to such writings.Disagree here. When the constitution was written, slaves were not considered "men". They were looked upon more as property, i.e. dogs, cats.

Taken this way I am sure you will see that which is hidden within the sentences and paragraphs of the story. It is like a giant Parable meant to convey something really BIG something to bring enlightenment to those who eyes are open and who are prepared to see or who’s ears are listening and who are prepared to hear.I believe I know the distinction. It's interesting though to see what the apologists write to justify the book.

[DRMIZER]

Exactly! See the problem is that you over emphasis the story of how the universe was created yet other than the fact God created the universe (which I realize is very important) it is not that important part of being either a Jew or Christian. Not only that there are many parts of the Bible that should not be taken literally, this is another one of them.

Let me give you an analogy, when you write an biography about yourself or another person what are you going to spend mrore time on how he was born or how he/she lived?Good. . . . :D

[Scaryclouds]

Genesis 3:20: "And Adam called his wife's name Eve: because she was the mother of all living"

All human beings are related, because they are all descendants of the first man, Adam, and the first woman, Eve. Which is why a person who has been born again (or one who has a relationship with God - such as Adam and Eve) calls others who are born again their brother or sister in Christ.

You can get the picture that when Adam and Eve were created by God and put into this perfect enviroment, their genetics must have been created superior and much more complex then they are now. What I mean by that is that the genetics of the person born from inbreeding would not be affected. Once sin entered into the world, and children had been born, it took time, but eventually the genetics became less complex and results in what we can't do today.

Sub I really do think that Genesis's is more of a story of how the universe was created as opposed to how it actually happened. It was meant for people back in 2,000 or so B.C. not directly for us (that is in the understanding of how the world around us came to be). Understand this does not make God fallaiable but only giving us something that we can understand. I mean what about dinosaurs and new species being discovered? Do you think Adam really named the T-Rex? I don't think God would put this stuff on Earth to directly mislead us. Not to mention the fact that inbreeding is a sin.

[sub_zer0]

Sub I really do think that Genesis's is more of a story of how the universe was created as opposed to how it actually happened.

Huh?

It was meant for people back in 2,000 or so B.C. not directly for us (that is in the understanding of how the world around us came to be). Understand this does not make God fallaiable but only giving us something that we can understand.

Of course it is the same meaning for people back then as it is now! To take it and learn about it to understand! To understand the same thing they did, that the earth was recently created and God created everything for a purpose and independant.

I mean what about dinosaurs and new species being discovered? Do you think Adam really named the T-Rex? I don't think God would put this stuff on Earth to directly mislead us. Not to mention the fact that inbreeding is a sin.

Depends on whatever God created in the first six days. Remember what we have now came from Noahs Ark. Nothing is misleading, we all have the same evidence. The difference is one has to close their eyes from the world and open them in light of Scripture! It will come into focus.

[Scaryclouds]

Of course it is the same meaning for people back then as it is now! To take it and learn about it to understand! To understand the same thing they did, that the earth was recently created and God created everything for a purpose and independant.

Genesis' still has to same meaning in that God demonstrated his power by creating the universe. But it was told in a way that a person with no education could understand it. Had the bible be written in today's world for countries like the US and western europe it may of had a more scientific take on how the universe was created because people now have a far better understanding of science.

Depends on whatever God created in the first six days. Remember what we have now came from Noahs Ark. Nothing is misleading, we all have the same evidence. The difference is one has to close their eyes from the world and open them in light of Scripture! It will come into focus.

Then why would God deliberatly mislead us with fomations like the Grand Canyon? Or by putting human or human like bones in the ground that clearly predate when God created the universe and thus the Earth? If there was a world wide flood it would take 1,000 of years for the flora and fauna of the world to recover. But yet back in Roman and Greek times there was no indications of a lack of such things. Also wouldn't all animals be severly deformed because of huge amounts of inbreeding? Noah's Ark happend but it was probaly a large scale localized flood in what we now call the middle east. Don't forget back in those times most of humanity was still in the "cradle of humanity" which is around the Euphrates and Tibris river. So if just that part of the world was flooded as far as humanity goes the world was flooded.

[heel31ok]

Hey let's just say I provide yet another plausible explanation and different view on things if it were. Nor do I see you providing anything less. albeit maybe with a little more flare and a lot less detail, thus leaving me to ponder what did you all mean, even though I do not think you understood what I meant about seeing and hearing since you quoted Mark as if that is what I meant, when in truth I did not. I only meant what I wrote and that is in every story there is an intent a purpose or deeper meaning that the writer often is trying to convey and that personal prejudices or other factors such as dogma obscure such meanings from individuals often simply because they do not wish to see them, for whatever reason as I stated.


ADDED.... TO Drimzer

Drimzer my post was in error in its beggininig I wrote you cannot when in truth you can thus scratch that and insert you could. you might, you may or whatever suits your fancy
no you do not understand , anyone that tries to explain the Bible to him cannot because Jesus has forbidden it. No matter your reasons he cannot and will not receive them.He knew what you spoke of it just does not apply to him.

[heel31ok]

Genesis' still has to same meaning in that God demonstrated his power by creating the universe. But it was told in a way that a person with no education could understand it. Had the bible be written in today's world for countries like the US and western europe it may of had a more scientific take on how the universe was created because people now have a far better understanding of science.



Then why would God deliberatly mislead us with fomations like the Grand Canyon? Or by putting human or human like bones in the ground that clearly predate when God created the universe and thus the Earth? If there was a world wide flood it would take 1,000 of years for the flora and fauna of the world to recover. But yet back in Roman and Greek times there was no indications of a lack of such things. Also wouldn't all animals be severly deformed because of huge amounts of inbreeding? Noah's Ark happend but it was probaly a large scale localized flood in what we now call the middle east. Don't forget back in those times most of humanity was still in the "cradle of humanity" which is around the Euphrates and Tibris river. So if just that part of the world was flooded as far as humanity goes the world was flooded.


that is funny.Still not getting it!

[dittohead not!]

Then why would God deliberatly mislead us with fomations like the Grand Canyon? Or by putting human or human like bones in the ground that clearly predate when God created the universe and thus the Earth?

God would never mislead us, and of course, He left us His word in ancient writings, expecting us to take those writings literally regardless of how illogical it may be to do so. It must have been this guy :devil: who left all of those ancient appearing formations, like the Grand Canyon, for us to find. It must be him who left human bones in layers of earth that date back 50,000 years, and drew pictures of animals on cave walls about the same time. No doubt he was the one who buried all of those dinosaur bones, too. :rolleyes:

[NiteGuy]

God would never mislead us, and of course, He left us His word in ancient writings, expecting us to take those writings literally regardless of how illogical it may be to do so. It must have been this guy :devil: who left all of those ancient appearing formations, like the Grand Canyon, for us to find. It must be him who left human bones in layers of earth that date back 50,000 years, and drew pictures of animals on cave walls about the same time. No doubt he was the one who buried all of those dinosaur bones, too. :rolleyes:

Dammit, dittohead, I refuse to believe that either Clinton or Bush had anything to do with the geologic fossil record. The congressional fossil record, maybe...... :D

[dittohead not!]

Dammit, dittohead, I refuse to believe that either Clinton or Bush had anything to do with the geologic fossil record. The congressional fossil record, maybe...... :D
:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Never underestimate the power of the evil ones!

[Senor Herberto]

God creates light and separates light from darkness, and day from night, on the first day. Yet he didn't make the light producing objects (the sun and the stars) until the fourth day (1:14-19). 1:3-5

maybe on this day God seperated 1 from 0. the big from the bang. did the world begin with stars? no. it began with a flash.

[Senor Herberto]

God spends one-sixth of his entire creative effort (the second day) working on a solid firmament. This strange structure, which God calls heaven, is intended to separate the higher waters from the lower waters. 1:6-8

this is the land. the 2d space between the 3d watery depths and the 3d sky. 'space armada'.

[Senor Herberto]

God could easily have made the world 10,000 years ago, looking just like it was 14.5 billion years old. or could have incubated it or fast forwarded it that sort of time.

one thing, though, deep inside formative rock, we see signs of particles coming into being, it seems. embedded in rock. poof, the world? ask God when you get there, or fi you have an NDE.

[sub_zer0]

God could easily have made the world 10,000 years ago, looking just like it was 14.5 billion years old. or could have incubated it or fast forwarded it that sort of time.

one thing, though, deep inside formative rock, we see signs of particles coming into being, it seems. embedded in rock. poof, the world? ask God when you get there, or fi you have an NDE.

The introduction of sin to the world could make it seem old as that is what is expected.

[Void Image]

The introduction of sin to the world could make it seem old as that is what is expected.

Why would that be expected?

[sub_zer0]

Why would that be expected?

I'm talking from my point of view. If sin entered into the world, the world would start to decay, become less complex, etc.

[Void Image]

God could easily have made the world 10,000 years ago, looking just like it was 14.5 billion years old. or could have incubated it or fast forwarded it that sort of time.

one thing, though, deep inside formative rock, we see signs of particles coming into being, it seems. embedded in rock. poof, the world? ask God when you get there, or fi you have an NDE.

Creating the world and making it seem like it was 14.5 billion years old seems a little unnecessary. Unless your saying God is intentionally trying to trick us. I don't know what you mean by incubated it..as for fast forwarding time, again..seems a little overboard.

Actually, particles appear out of nowhere all the time. They're called virtual particles. Poof, they're here..then within split seconds gone. If anything, this adds more weight to the argument that a spontaneous, random event could have brought about all we know today.

As for near death experiences, there is nothing supernatural about these. You underestimate the power of your own mind. The brain is an amazing organ, and it has the capability to trick itself. Have you ever had a dream that seemed real? You can't say no, because we all have. If you say you have never had a dream that seemed real, then why do you believe so when you're asleep? More interesting is the lucid dream. A lucid dream is a dream where the dreamer becomes concious of his actions, or sometimes, concious that he is dreaming. In many laboratory studies, lucid dreamers would feel strange floating sensations as they drifted off to sleep, then felt as if they had left their body, and were even able to look around and view their sleeping self, the room they drifted off in, and the researchers around them. This concious dream was brought about by the floating sensations everyone gets as they drift off the sleep, the difference, is that on this occasion the person retained consciousness. However, upon waking they were asked very simple questions about their surroundings and the places they visited, to which their answers were of course dead wrong.