Hi Shadow,
I have to say that Crashfrog's comment about anoxic euphoria seems to be on the money to me. After all, very similar states can be induced in heathy subjects simply by exposing them to the extremne gravity produced in a centrifuge.
Centrifuges are typically used for training pilots and astronauts to withstand the high gravity condidtions that they might face in their work. One of the common effects of very high gravity (typically at about 9G) is sudden unconsciousness, a phenomenon known as G-LOC
(G-force induced Loss Of Consciousness). During the periods of unconsciousness, subjects have reported similar symptoms to Near Death Experiences; tunnel vision, a feeling of floating, out-of-body experiences and vivid hallucinations, sometimes involving loved ones.
Given the similarity of the experiences and the fact that a lack of oxygen to the brain is the main similarity between a dying person and one who is being exposed to high gravity, I can't really see how we can conclude other than that anoxia is the root cause of both G-LOC and near death euphoria.
Jobs was probably experiencing being in a beautiful glowing tunnel or some such. It sounds like a peaceful way to go, but I don't think that it has any rational link to Christianity.
Mutate and Survive
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