Many people who refer to themselves as skeptics of near-death experiences are actually pseudo-skeptics. A true skeptic, as defined by the philosophers of ancient Greece, is a nonbeliever - a person who does not make conclusions based on evidence that is inconclusive.

Critics of near-death experiencers who assert negative claims but call themselves skeptics often think they have no burden of proof. Such critics who take this stance think it is only necessary to present a case for a counter-claim based upon the plausibility of evidence rather than empirical evidence. Such pseudo-skeptics are actually believers that the survival of consciousness after death is impossible.

What Pseudo-Skeptics Do

Pseudo-skeptics of near-death experiences have done the following:

By this definition, pseudo-skeptics are not true skeptics because they have already made up their minds that near-death experiences are nothing more than chemical reactions in a dying brain which produces hallucinations from a dying brain. Such pseudo-skeptics make these claims without a shred scientific evidence.

But a true skeptic of the theory that consciousness survives death will keep an open mind and not take a position in favor nor take a position against it until it is proven either true or false.

Examples of how pseudo-skeptics attack unconventional paradigms such as the near-death experience:

(1)  Pseudo-skeptics attempted to discredit the research of a researcher, who yielded evidence that certain astrological signs, especially the planet Mars are associated with champion athletes. Although the pseudo-skeptics' research actually confirmed the findings, they distorted their own data when they published it and caused their statistician to go public stating that the science establishment covered up evidence for the occult.

(2)  A researcher published a study showing that ultrahigh dilutions of LgE effected white cells in the lab. There were 10 authors on the study and pseudo-skeptics investigated and debunked the study. The researcher complained that they made no effort to replicate his study, but only came and accused him of fraud, without reviewing the evidence.

(3)  One particular pseudo-skeptic offers a one million dollar challenge to prove the reality of paranormal claims such as proving that psychic abilities are real. Concerning his challenge, skeptics of the pseudo-skeptic's million dollar challenge claim that the offer is insincere and that the pseudo-skeptic has ensured that he will never have to pay out. He was quoted in a well-known magazine as allegedly saying, "I always have an out."

(4)  A study was done to understand to what extent psychic mediumship works (not how it works). The study was led by a university professor with impeccable credentials. Using five of the most credible psychic mediums in the country, a test subject underwent a reading by all five mediums. The test subject was selected by the researchers and known only to them. The controls used in the study are the following:

The result of the study was the following:

(i)  All the mediums identified the same 6 deceased loved ones of the subject including information about them and their passing. These include a son who committed suicide, a father with lung cancer, a mother with lung cancer, and a little dog. Eight other individuals were identified by various mediums.

(ii)  All the mediums were identical in average performance (in the 90 percentile).

(iii)  The study doesn't tell how it works, but suggests there is a phenomenon that can be replicated.

This study launched an ongoing debate between the research and a high-profile pseudo-skeptic on this study. You can read about it at this website: http://survivalscience.50megs.com/torandi.htm

(iv)  One of the most famous psychic mediums in this country is John Edward who performs readings before a live audience on television. His impressive abilities suggests that he may actually be communicating with the dead. Pseudo-skeptics claim that John Edward is a master of reading body language to elicit information. But, Edward often does phone readings and sometimes readings where he cannot even see the subject. 

Pseudo-skeptics also claim that Edward manipulates people into supplying answers, which he then builds on. However, Edward comes up with symbols in his head that are hits that sometimes even the subject doesn't know about until they think more about it. Edward states that he receives symbols which the subject ultimately identifies with.

Pseudo-skeptics also claim that there are set-ups planted in the audience even though none have come forward. 

Pseudo-skeptics claim that questionnaires and bugging devices help producers learn about deceased family members. But shows producer stated that viewers only fill out a standard release form.

Concerning bugging devices, the show's producer replied, "Of course there's microphones, but are they being fed anywhere, no. And John doesn't see any of this."