IMEs are simple hallucinations

This argument is used in the debate Does God exist?.

This argument is an objection to Near-death experiences show an invisible reality.

Keywords: consciousness, death, immortality, survival, medicine, testimonies, occultism, soul, afterlife, neuroscience, hallucination, beliefs, deceased, metaphysics

Summary

We mean hallucination in the common sense of the term, i.e. "subjective delusions", rather like visions of pink elephants! IMEs resemble delusions, which are often accompanied by the delusional person's feeling that his or her experience is "real".

Quotes

References

Justifications

IMEs are like dreams
IMEs reflect the beliefs and mythical images in which they are immersed.
The sensation of leaving one's body is produced by stimulation of the right parietal cortex.
Some people who testify to their IME lie to make it more sensationalist (more sellable to the media or if they decide to write a book about it).

Objections

The delusions are very diverse, the EMIs always repeat a similar scenario.
Delusions are accompanied by a very active EEG, whereas IMEs can take place with a flat EEG.
Delusions often generate anxiety, IMEs lead to serenity
IMEs affect normal personalities who are not delusional.
IME memories are stronger and more coherent than those of imagined events

Parent debate