European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 10, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 6 the stars and stripes saturday november 10,1990 study recognizes near death experiences by Rob Stein up science editor Washington up a study of people who underwent Quot near death experiences Quot suggests Many of the events Are psychological but also could be used to argue that some really glimpsed an afterlife researchers said thursday. On one hand the study published in the British medical journal the lancet found Many people who said they had near death experiences actually were never really in danger of dying. But the study also found that most of those who did almost die reported increased mental Power at a time when their brain function would be expected to diminish providing support for those who believe the events May be Quot transcendental a the researchers said. While the study neither proves nor disproves proposed explanations of such experiences the findings provide further support for the existence of the events and the need for More study the researchers said. A there is something very interesting going on Here a said Janice Owens an assistant research professor at the University of Virginia m Charlottesville who led the analysis. John Sappington a psychology professor at Augusta College in Augusta ga., said the study is a a clue to the Puzzle of such Phenomena. Quot the Public wants to know a is there an afterlife or is there not is there a soul or is there not a in a afraid there Are certain questions science can to answer fully a he said. Near death experiences have been reported a at least since the time of Plato and have been described increasingly in modern times As medical advances allow More people to survive close encounters with death the researchers said. _ the experiences include a variety of sensations such As moving Down a Long Tunnel sensing a Strong Light leaving the body feeling Strong emotions reliving past memories and seeming to think and perceive much More clearly. A some commentators have claimed that these reports provide a glimpse of the existence awaiting us after death whereas others have suggested that the experiences Are the result of physiological or pharmacological states accompanying the process of dying a Owens and her colleagues wrote. Regardless psychologists Are especially interested in such Phenomena because the experiences appear to have a powerful beneficial effect on patients giving most a much better Outlook on their lives Owens said. To investigate the reports the researchers studied 58 patients who reported having near death experiences. Medical records showed Only 28 of the patients actually were near death and a would have died without medical  the remaining 30 patients a were not in danger of dying although most of them thought they  however patients from both groups reported having a a closely similar experiences a bolstering the View that such events Stem from psychological not physical or transcendental factors the researchers said. Science texts get tentative of but evolution clash continues Austin Texas apr Texas education officials gave preliminary approval thursday to science textbooks that teach evolution but a longtime clash with creationists continued. The state Board of education asked its staff to look into whether a reference in some of the books which says human embryos have Gill slits was accurate. The Board meeting As a committee tentatively a so roved the biology books striking a blow to religious fundamentalists who say the texts dont treat creation ism As an equally valid idea. A final vote was set for saturday. Texas is one of the nations largest textbook buying states and influences what publishers put in textbooks. The textbooks under consideration Are for grades one through 12. A this is a major Victory a said Mike Hudson general counsel for the people for the american Way a civil rights group that has lobbied for expanded coverage of evolution in science textbooks. A this is probably the most important thing that has happened in science education in the past five years a Hudson said of the boards preliminary vote. Mel Gablor who with his wife Norma has fought against evolution for about 30 years said the proposed texts were a form of censorship. Gabler argued they treat evolution As a fact without including debate of the theory. A Why Are evolutionists so afraid of giving students weaknesses As Well As strengths of evolution a Gabler asked. A censorship nullifies critical thinking of Stu dents. This is indoctrination not  the theory of evolution holds that All species of plants and animals developed from earlier forms through hereditary transmission of slight variations in successive generations. Creationism ascribes the origin of species to acts of god As described in the Bibie. Education Board member will Davis of Austin said the books a separate religious theory from scientific  a in Public school textbooks we Are not to engage in religious theory. That a for churches that a for your own soul searching. In Public schools we Deal with science not religion a he said. Davis said the current science textbooks give a cursory review of evolution while the new books Are much More in depth. Each Side presented its own scientists to testify. Claud Bramblett a University of Texas scientist said the textbooks were Well written and would probably interest More students in science. A we need to grow future scientists not import them a he said. But Walter Bradley a Texas a amp a University scientist said the books contained errors and were written in a Way that students would just accept the teachings As fact. Education Board chairman Monte Hasie of Lubbock said the books weren to perfect but better than the current ones a i think we re making Progress and that a what education is All about a he Saia. Gay scout suit gets go ahead Timothy Carran los Angeles apr a judges ruling has cleared the Way for a homosexual Man to proceed with a discrimination lawsuit against the boy scouts of America and its National policy Banning homosexuals As poor role models. Timothy Curran 29, who was a scout Leader was asked to leave the organization in 1980 after he took a Young Man to his senior prom. He filed his lawsuit in 1981 when his bid to return was rejected. Superior court judge Sally disco ruled late tuesday that the mount Diablo Council in the san Francisco Bay area is subject to californians Unruh civil rights act. The act forbids businesses from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation race religion or disability. Disco said the Council is a business because it has considerable property holdings and makes Money by Selling products to the Public. The boy scouts had argued that it is a non profit organization free to promote its own moral philosophy. Curran a free Lance television editor and former Eagle scout said he wants to serve As a scout Leader and is not seeking monetary damages. A a in a really pleased to see that after 10 years in the courts this Case is developing some momentum and moving toward a conclusion a Curran said wednesday. The two sides will meet nov. 16 to discuss a Date for the Start of a july trial. George Davidson an attorney for the boy scouts said he believes the lawsuit will be decided in the Orean nation s favor. Stateside Man flunks driving test by crashing into building los Angeles apr a Man taking a driving test crashed into a department of motor vehicles office. Dozens of people scattered for safety As the car slowed 30 feet inside. Only six minor injuries were reported but damage to the office was extensive authorities said. A a 70-year-old Man really flunked the driving test. He ran right into the building a said police officer Dennis Smith. Two people were treated at the scene for minor injuries and four were examined at a Hospital. The Driver Wasny to injured in the morning crash that caused an estimated $40,000 damage to the office in suburban Canoga Park. The office was to remain closed several Days for  thought extinct rediscovered in Oregon Corvallis Ore. Apr a Butterfly that experts believed had been extinct for More than 50 years has been rediscovered. Entomologists say they want endangered species Protection for fenders Blue Butterfly a relic of the ice Ages found Only in Oregon a Willamette Valley. The Butterfly was last seen near the Small town of Wren West of Corvallis in 1937. Paul Hammond an Oregon state University entomologist and Butterfly expert said he rediscovered the butterflies by Accident. A in the Spring of 1989,1 hiked out onto a South facing slope of a Hill that had native Prairie on it and Here was this very unusual kind of Lupine Plant with All these Little Blue butterflies swimming around on it. A i knew immediately what it was a he said. Since that find last year several pockets of the species have been found in Western  the name of simplicity just Call him baby Smith Mason City Iowa apr Phouthone and Chan Hsy Sicha Thongthip wanted a simpler Shorter More common name for their new baby boy. So they picked Ronald Smith. A a it a too hard Here to have a last name that a a Long name the baby a father said. Sicha Thongthip 23, said his Mother brother and sister visited the baby and Mother at a Hospital. His family approved of the baby a name. Say to s of. It s Good. They like it a Sicha Thongthip said. Sicha Thongthip and his father moved to Iowa in 1986 after they escaped to Thailand from Laos. They were joined by other family members in 1988, who left Laos with the help of a Church