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March 1, 2004
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NEWSLETTER |
Vol. 03 No. 02
Ed. 1 |
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 The
Near-Death Newsletter is a free semi-monthly newsletter which is emailed to
subscribers every 1st of the month and on every 15th of the month.
The mission of this newsletter is to inform, enlighten, entertain, and aid the
public in understanding the latest in all things concerning the
NDE
and related phenomena by promoting
IANDS
(International Association for Near-Death Studies),
NDE researchers,
experiencers,
multimedia resources, and
events. [Disclaimer: This newsletter is not affiliated with IANDS; but the
creator of this newsletter,
Kevin Williams, is a member of IANDS who is dedicated to the IANDS mission.]
IANDS is the premier organization for NDE research. Membership gives you access
to subscribe to their prestigious
Journal
of Near-Death Studies and their newsletter
Vital Signs. You can
join online right from their website. Get connected with the people and
organization which will likely provide the world with the evidence of our
survival after death. |
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(1) |
NDEs in the news |
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(2) |
Notes from the webmaster |
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(3) |
What's new at near-death.com |
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(4) |
Discussion on the NDE |
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(5) |
Q & A with P.M.H. Atwater, L.H.D., Ph.D. (Hon.) |
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(6) |
Television on the NDE |
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(7) |
Books on the NDE |
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(8) |
Websites on the NDE |
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(9) |
Support the search for the afterlife |
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(10) |
Odds and ends |
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Two Former IANDS Board Members
Return to the Light.
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FT LAUDERDALE, FL -
(Sun Sentinel) |
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PMH Atwater
eulogizes Barbara: |
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"Barbara had the ability to light
up a room just with her presence. No, she was not a near-death experiencer
herself, yet evidenced all the signs of someone who had been transformed by the
healing power of love..." [read
more] |
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CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA
- (P.M.H. Atwater's website) |
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PMH Atwater
eulogizes Joanne: |
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"She was gifted with the ability
to facilitate healings after her near-death experience. Yet, she knew in her
heart this was not enough, that she must refine and develop the gifts she was
given. This she did. As a result, her healing abilities skyrocketed and she
became well-known..." [read
more] |
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BIRMINGHAM, AL -
(al.com City Magazine) |
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Dr. T. Lee Baumann states, "Light
has been proven to be omnipresent, which means it's everywhere in the universe
at once. And as an entity for which time doesn't exist, light is omniscient
because it's aware of everything in past, present and future. For the third
part, light's omnipotence, I have to take physicists at their word because it's
a very complex concept. But basically, when scientists try to measure the energy
levels of electrons or atoms, they come up with infinities, which makes the
equation meaningless." |
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TUCSON, AZ -
(Arizona Daily Wildcat) (Feb. 23, 2004) |
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Dr. Gary Schwartz states, "When
you look at the totality of the data, the simplest and most parsimonious
explanation that accounts for the largest amount of data is the survival of
consciousness hypothesis." |
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Notes from the webmaster |
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Kevin Williams writes: |
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"Everything I
Learned About The World |
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I Learned From
The Movie "The Planet of the Apes"" |
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 After
I saw the movie "The Planet of the Apes" when I was a kid, it made me imagine
what it would be like if evolution were true (I didn't know that evolution was
true at that age) but more than anything it made me realize how fragile this
world appears to be and how the wars over religion and material things could
easily destroy this planet. And the threat comes not only from this planet, but
from outer space. Just two months ago, there was a "nine-hour crisis" where
astronomers were very concerned that a devastating asteroid was about to hit the
planet within 36 hours. And the odds of Earth actually being hit by an asteroid
of the kind that killed off the dinosaurs is ... [read
more] |
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What's new at near-death.com |
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the latest additions to near-death.com website: |
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NDE News Page make-over |
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Instead of a simple links page of
recent NDE news, I re-vamped the entire NDE New page on my website by adding the
news history of NDE and Consciousness studies research as it is leading to
proving scientific evidence for the survival of consciousness after death.
(added 03/01/04) |
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NDEs of
the Rich and Famous added |
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I have added the NDE testimony of
famous crooner Tony Bennett and CSI television show star William Petersen of the
show CSI. (added 02/26/04) |
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The NDE and the Future |
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I added another vision of the
future given to Howard Storm which he received during his NDE which I wasn't
aware of before and am now including. It is a very dire vision of America's
immediate future which will occur before the year 2185 if American doesn't
change its ways. When I read about the prophecy, my heart became very saddened
for America because it is not a good picture. Just remember that all such
apocalyptic NDE visions will be following by a new era of human enlightenment
and the "heaven on Earth."
Howard Storm was told by beings
of light that because America is the primary merchant of war and culture of
violence which is exported to the rest of the world. This exploitation will come
to an end because American society has the seeds of its own destruction within
them. America will either destroy themselves or God will bring it to an end if
there isn't a change. America exploits the rest of the world by greedily
consuming the world's resources and if this doesn't stop, God's blessing upon
America will be withdrawn. The American economy will collapse and civil chaos
will occur. People will be killing each other over a cup of gasoline. The world
will watch in horror as America is obliterated by strife. The rest of the world
will not intervene because they have been victims of American exploitation.
[Kevin
Williams' note: More can be read about this on the NDE and Future
page. This vision cuts to my heart that such a thing is even possible to happen
to America. I only pray that enough of my fellow Americans will seek to change
the way America exploits the world for profit, and help change our country away
from a culture of violence, and prevent this prophecy from happening.] |
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What's New page |
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Recent additions and updates to
near-death.com are also listed on this
What's New page. |
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Discussion on the NDE |
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A Critique of Mary Baxter's Hellish NDE and Her Book
"A Divine Revelation of Hell" |
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I received an email concerning a
reported NDE by Mary Baxter which she describes in her book "A Divine Revelation
of Hell" where she describes being given a tour of hell by Jesus. The person who
emailed me this information was concerned about my statements that there is no
"real" Biblical, historical, or NDE evidence for the existence of a being known
as "Satan." He claimed that Mary Baxter's NDE had a reference to Satan and that
I should check it out. I was being witnessed to through email to attempt to get
me to accept Satan as my personal tormentor. So I researched Mary Baxter's NDE
and had a very interesting email debate about this topic ... [Read
more] |
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(5) |
Q & A with P.M.H. Atwater,
L.H.D., Ph.D. (Hon.)
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An in-depth look at the near-death
phenomenon |
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 In
this section of the newsletter,
P.M.H. Atwater will answer questions
submitted to her from subscribers to this newsletter.
Atwater's contribution to near-death studies is considered to be one of the most
important as her first two books,
Beyond the Light
and
Coming Back to Life, are
considered to be the "Bibles" of the NDE by researchers and enthusiasts.
If you have a question which you would like her to answer for this column, just
email your question to Kevin Williams at
http://www.near-death.com/contact.html for consideration.
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 PMH
Atwater's latest book is entitled
The New Children and Near-Death Experiences
and is now available. In the Summer of 2004, her next book entitled
The Real Truth About Death will be released but you can order a reserve copy
now.
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Question:
"Whether you have the time to reply to this I have no idea, but it's worth a go.
I live in Dunedin, New Zealand. This year my daughter Krysha Helen Hansen was
killed whilst water skiing on the Waikato River near Auckland. She hit a log and
died within seconds. My daughter was a born again Christian; devout to an
extreme in her religion. I am not of that faith, having been to India four times
and am a disciple of a 'perfect living master.'
"I am concerned about my
daughter's spiritual state - Krysha enjoyed an especially happy marriage, three
children. There was absolutely nothing in her life that would make her want to
leave it. A very happy person, vibrant and bubbly. I have no belief in Jesus but
do understand, in a sense, that we go to where our mind is focused. She would be
shocked at leaving her husband and young children, and I believe she would be in
a confused, shocked, and surprised state; looking hopelessly for her family, not
finding them, and wondering what on Earth is going on.
"If you can find
the time, P.M.H. Atwater, to send your opinion on such a meaningless death,
would be more than appreciated. For myself, I blame the driver of the boat and
see the whole event as an avoidable accident and not pre-destined in any way.
What is your opinion of accidents versus destiny? I send you love." ....Isha |
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P.M.H. Atwater's reply:
"Goodness, you ask a question that has been asked for thousands of years by
millions of people, who receive just as many answers from just as many others.
Since you narrowed the field to "my opinion," I'll respond.
"Near-death
research is replete with stories and observations that address this head-on: Why
would a nine-day baby have a hellish experience? Why would a female toddler
suffer a terrible rape at the hands of her father, die, then revive, only to
endure having to live with her murderer until she reached adulthood? Why would
two brothers drown while swimming in a river - yet only one revive? Why would an
accident wipe out an entire family, except for one small child?
"We all
ask why. Life does not seem fair to us, or even rational. God seems not to hear
our pleas yet another's prayers are answered and miracles occur. Why for them
and not us? Does God even exist? Are our lives little more than happenstance -
fated - or do we have a destiny, a purpose?
"I have said many times that
with child experiencers of near-death states, reasons for the child's death and
later revival may not always be what we might expect. A child's experience,
although important for the child once mature, seems rather to happen, at least
initially, more for benefit of the child's parents, caregivers, relatives, or
friends than for the child. I have observed this with adult experiencers, as
well. I saw the same thing during all those years I was researching fatal
accidents - why some lived and others died. Let me share a few paragraphs from
the book that will come out April 2004 entitled
We Live Forever: The Real Truth About Death
about this very thing:
"During the days when my former husband John and I
leased 160 acres near Filer, Idaho, there were many farm tragedies. We were
privy to all of them. This situation intensified once he became a crop-duster
pilot. He specialized in flying night jobs barely inches above the soil of
tree-lined farm fields. A number of gruesome and horrible accidents snuffed out
innocent lives. We both stared death in the face at moments of personal risk
because of auto accidents and serious illness, so did our loved ones and each of
our three children. This kind of thing happened so often that for a time I used
to set a place for 'death' at the kitchen table, replete with dishes and chair,
so our children wouldn't be frightened of our family's familiar consort.
"Among what caught my attention then was the incredible number of people who,
far from having a brief hunch or scary feeling, actually exhibited pre-knowledge
of their coming death. Conversations my husband and I had with survivors and
next of kin revealed intriguing stories about how the deceased must have known
what was coming because of the way he or she behaved before the tragedy
occurred, shifting routines about three to six months before his or her death.
"After a while, I noticed that these changes centered around a need to wrap up
business and personal affairs as if there existed some unspoken reason for
expediency. Insurance policies took on importance, as did the need to visit
loved ones and to be more intimate or philosophical than usual. One last 'fling'
was often enjoyed before the individual relaxed and was at peace. Just before
the death event, the victim seemed to 'glow' as if something important were
about to happen; something the individual had prepared for."
"You can
find an article that goes more in-depth about this and gives the full pattern of
how people tend to behave before they die on my website.
"A mistake most
people make in trying to make sense of life and death issues, is - we view the
occurrence from the point of view of our personality, which is wrapped up in the
here and now, things eternal to us. We miss the soul's point of view, which is
internal to us, the larger picture.
"Here is another quote, from the
chapter called "The Thought Which Stirred," in my book
Future Memory. This particular quote comes from that section where I attempt
to convey in words what was revealed to me during my third near-death
experience:
"'Fate' is a term used to describe those specific and planned
events encountered during specific and planned cycles of the soul. These seem
fixed in the cycles because of choices made previously by the soul, and they
usually remain as planned until met (fulfilled) or completed to whatever extent.
But that which seems fixed still carries within it an open range of responsive
choices. Variations of response can alter events or change entire scenarios.
This is because choice is inviolate. As the soul has free will, so, too, does
any embodiment (personality). And with that freedom of choice, the embodiment
can choose to cooperate with or deny its soul, oppose or deviate from any plan
its soul has made. Life experiences tend to run smoother or at least be more
effective and satisfying if the life-form cooperates with its soul and accepts
the plan of the cycle. The choice factor, however, is layered with possibilities
and is not restricted to any particular result or concept of sequential timing."
"Really, anyone who wishes to tackle the weightier issues of life should read
Future Memory. Be advised, though, that it is a labyrinth, not a regular book,
per se. You must read it as you would walk through a site labyrinth - follow the
path, no skipping around (or the book will not make sense to you).
"You
might examine your daughter's life for the six months before she died to see if
she left any clues that imply she might have "known" what was about to happen to
her. You may be surprised with what you find. Life has taught me that we all
know when we are going to die; some know subconsciously, others with full
awareness ... but somehow, someway, we know.
"Can there be real
accidents? Can soul plans change suddenly? Can there be interference or
intervention? Yes, I believe so. Yet even that tends to serve a purpose sooner
or later.
"I cannot say that your daughter's untimely death was fated or
destined. But I can say that there is more to life and death than what any
religion or "perfect master" teaches us. Do not judge the impact of your
daughter's death solely on the basis of how it appeared or what you or
anyone else might think. Embrace possibility, and allow love to heal your grief
and kiss your soul. |
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| Blessings to all, P. M. H.
Atwater, L.H.D. |
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Her website |
Marketplace
(a public service)
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Her research on this site | |
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(6) |
Television on the NDE |
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[Check your local
TV listings for the correct time near you.] |
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It is unfortunate that Crossing
Over ultimately lost out in the ratings game, especially when there is such a
hard-core group of viewers who are dedicated fans of his. But I am sure we have
not heard the last of John Edward. Visit his website but you will not find that
it has been updated yet. |
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I hope to expand this web page even
further soon. |
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I did an internet search for NDE
documentaries and movies on for this month and came up with these: |
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"Flatliners" (Drama) |
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The movie about medical students
secretly inducing their own NDEs but not being about to handle the
after-effects. Although this movie is well done, I was disappointed that it only
focused on hellish NDEs. Kiefer Sutherland, Julia Roberts, Kevin Bacon. |
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"Dragonfly"
(Drama) |
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Kevin Costner plays Dr. Joe
Darrow, an ER physician who's married to a pediatrician named Emily (Susanna
Thompson). While on a Red Cross mission in Venezuela, Emily is killed in a bus
crash. Six months later, Joe sees dragonflies - Emily's good luck �totem� -
everywhere and begins to wonder if his wife is trying to contact him from the
Other Side. He also encounters young cancer patients who have had near-death
experiences and claim to have messages from Emily. Is his wife really trying to
reach him, or is he simply consumed with unresolved grief? I recommend this
movie because of the many references to NDEs and the actual NDE scenes they have
in the movie. |
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"Defending
Your Life"
(Drama) |
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Albert Brooks and Meryl Streep
find love in an afterlife way station where fates are determined. This movie is
based around Brook's life review in heaven which is done extremely well in
dealing with the life review as self-evaluation. This movie is actually almost a
tear-jerker and very funny. Well worth seeing if you haven't seen it
already. Two thumbs very enthusiastically up! |
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In case your a fan of this show,
I recently added Michael Petersen's NDE on my NDEs of the Rich and Famous. |
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"Penn & Teller:
Bull! Ouija Boards; Near-Death Experiences"
(Deception) |
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The skeptical magicians (Why are
they all magicians? Where's the skeptical brain surgeons?) get their sleight of
hands-on experience dealing with Ouija boards, and kill time discussing
near-death experiences. It is always good to hear the skeptics opinion to
understand your own position better. I am sure we will not hear about brain
surgery or anything too in depth here. Check your TV listings for the time
nearest you. |
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At the
NDE Online Store you can find NDE products such as books, documentaries,
movies, music, magazines, and journals. More NDE media products are coming. |
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Dr. Newton's next books is soon
to be released! Dr. Newton is world-famous for his spiritual regression
techniques which take hypnotic subjects back into the past when they were lived
in heaven in between Earth lives. His two best-selling books, Journey of Souls
and Destiny of Souls, have left thousands of readers eager to discover their own
afterlife adventures, their soul companions and guides, and their purpose in
this lifetime. Now, for the first time in print, Dr. Newton reveals his
step-by-step methods. His experiential approach to the spiritual realms sheds
light on the age-old questions of who we are, where we came from, and why we are
here. This groundbreaking guidebook, designed for both hypnosis professionals
and the general public, completes the afterlife trilogy by Dr. Newton. And it is
remarkable how well his research compliments NDE research. I get more email from
people wanting to know about Dr. Newton. So now your wait will soon last no
more! Also visit his website which I recently discovered at:
http://www.lifebetweenlife.com/
For many years I have been trying to find his website or contact him. Judging my
the name of the above internet address, I believe that Dr. Newton probably has
the rights to that website address. |
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Whatever you thought you knew
about life and death, be prepared for some surprises. This material is based on
PMH Atwater's 25 years of researching the near-death phenomenon with thousands
of experiencers, other personal stories, plus what she herself witnessed on the
Inner Planes when she died in 1977. |
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Grosso covers some of the best
cases supporting survival of consciousness after death from the vast body of
paranormal research from a wide variety of anomalies. Larry Dossey, M.D. says
this about the book: "A daring new vision of consciousness is currently taking
shape, in which the mind transcends the physical brain and body. This new
picture of the mind holds the promise of survival of bodily death -
immortality... Dr. Michael Grosso is one of the leading architects of this new
paradigm, as this book shows." |
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This book is an expansion of her
original book, "Children of the New Millennium" and it goes much further in
examining children's cases; a large and detailed Resource Section and
Appendices. Included in the material is the story of the youngest hellish case
she has found, that of a nine-day-old infant. |
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Fortean Times Website |
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This is one of the best websites
dealing with everything weird. It has been around for over 30 years and they
have an excellent archive. |
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Esolibris Website |
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This is a large site containing
many different articles dealing with survival after death, reincarnation,
meditation, and healing. |
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If you know of any new NDE
website or web article you would like to see profiled, email to me the address
of the website at:
neardeathexperience@earthlink.net Thank you! |
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| (9) |
Support the search for the
afterlife |
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 How
can your usual online shopping raise funds for near-death research without any
extra cost to you? By joining the free charity website called iGive.com. Then
whenever you shop online and make a purchase at eBay, Barnes & Noble, Land's
End, Florist.com, Amazon.com or over 500 other participating websites,
iGive.com
has arranged to automatically direct up to 27% of the purchase price near-death
research (IANDS) as a contribution. Become a part of the family of people who
are working to bring proof of life after death to this world! Just click on the
graphic for more info.
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Copyright � 2007
Near-Death Experiences and the Afterlife |
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