Journal of Near-Death Studies, volume 10, issue 3
Assessment of Clergy Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Near-Death Experiences
Bechtel, L. J., Chen, A., Pierce, R. A., & Walker, B. A.
The results of a questionnaire distributed to 2,722 clergy from Pennsylvania and Illinois (320 usable questionnaires returned) showed the respondents had limited knowledge of the near-death experience (NDE) but had a moderately positive attitude toward the subject. Using Nina Thornburg's (1988) Near-Death Phenomena Knowledge and Attitudes Questionnaire, respondents mean score for knowledge questions was 7.8 out of 18, and mean score for attitudes questions was 49 out of 85. Approximately 98% of the clergy had heard of NDEs; 85% of the clergy had counseled parishioners who had had NDEs; nearly 40% had had personal contact with an experiencer; and 10% reported having had NDEs themselves. Respondents were most familiar with the near-death element of "peace," and with experiencers greater appreciation for life and belief in an afterlife.
