The God Study: Near-Death Experiences Provide Substantial Evidence for God's Existence

JEFFREY LONG, M.D.

Near-death experiences (NDEs) provide profound insights into life, death, and the possibility of a higher power. The God Study, conducted by the Near-Death Experience Research Foundation (NDERF, nderf.org), stands out as a groundbreaking exploration of encounters with God during NDEs. Drawing from over 200 firsthand accounts of individuals who encountered or became aware of God during their NDEs, this study offers compelling evidence for God’s existence.

The inspiration for this study stemmed from frequent reports of divine encounters during NDEs. By systematically categorizing and analyzing these narratives, I identified consistent patterns, while maintaining rigorous objectivity. The study included all sequentially sharedNDE accounts, regardless of content, to eliminate bias. This method ensured that the results authentically represented the participants’ experiences and strengthened the study’s credibility.

Transparency was a cornerstone of this research. The NDERF website published every  testimonial, allowing both believers and skeptics to scrutinize the findings. This open approach ensured independent verification and added weight to the study’s conclusions.

As both a physician and a scientist, I approached this investigation with an open mind, free from preconceived notions about God. My focus was solely on the participants’ direct experiences, avoiding theological or philosophical interpretations. This impartiality was essential for an objective evaluation of the evidence.

The statistical findings were striking. Among 420 eligible NDEs, 45.5% reported an awareness of or encounter with God — exceeding other common NDE phenomena, such as tunnels or encounters with deceased loved ones. Only 14.8% of the participants expressed uncertainty about their encounter, highlighting the profound and unmistakable nature of these experiences.

NDE experiencers consistently described God as transcending all religious and cultural beliefs. They often depicted God as a being of boundless love, infinite wisdom, and unconditional acceptance, who embraces individuals exactly as they are, without judgment or favoritism toward any religious belief. Participants consistently described their encounters as deeply meaningful.

Perhaps most remarkable was the lasting transformation in belief among participants. Before their NDEs, 39% of the participants believed that God definitely exists. This figure rose dramatically to 72.6% when surveyed an average of 22 years after their experiences — a stunning 86% increase in certainty. Unlike changes triggered by other life events, these shifts reflect the enduring, transformative impact of encountering God. The stability of these convictions, even decades later, reinforces the significance of these experiences.

The consistency of these reports across diverse populations further reduces the likelihood that these encounters are coincidental or subjective illusions.

A fundamental scientific principle is that reality is consistently observable. The consistency in descriptions of God throughout NDEs is compelling empirical evidence for God’s reality. Over 30 skeptical “explanations” for NDEs have been proposed, but none plausibly accounted for the phenomena observed, including the consistent encounters with God.

The God Study provides robust evidence supporting the existence of God through the lens of near-death experiences. Its rigorous methodology, transparent approach, compelling statistical findings, and the enduring belief changes it documents make a persuasive case for the reality of a higher power.