House M.D. on Near-Death Experiences

House (talking about himself and visions he had): "The patient was technically dead for over a minute."
Wilson: "Do you think he was dead? Do you think those experiences were real?"
House: "Define real. They were real experiences. What they meant... Personally, I choose to believe that the white light people sometimes see, visions, this patient saw: they're all just chemical reactions that take place when the brain shuts down."
Foreman: "You choose to believe that?"
House: "There's no conclusive science. My choice has no practical relevance to my life, I choose the outcome I find more comforting."
Cameron: "You find it more comforting to believe that this is it?"
House: "I find it more comforting to believe that this isn't simply a test."
~ House MD, Season 1, Episode 21

Sunday Sermon: The Invention of the Gods

For just a little while today, let's go on a trip. Close your eyes… actually on second thought, ignore that, You're reading a blog post. It won't work if you close your eyes. Regardless, imagine for a moment that you are alone, walking through the savannah. It is a beautiful spring day in the middle of Africa. The year is 150,000 BCE.