God

clum clum · January 23, 2015, 04:17:40 PM

In 1983, a team of deeply pious scientists conducted a radical experiment in an undisclosed facility. The scientists had theorized that a human without access to any senses or ways to perceive stimuli would be able to perceive the presence of God. They believed that the five senses clouded our awareness of eternity, and without them, a human could actually establish contact with God by thought. An elderly man who claimed to have “nothing left to live for” was the only test subject to volunteer. To purge him of all his senses, the scientists performed a complex operation in which every sensory nerve connection to the brain was surgically severed. Although the test subject retained full muscular function, he could not see, hear, taste, smell, or feel. With no possible way to communicate with or even sense the outside world, he was alone with his thoughts. Scientists monitored him as he spoke aloud about his state of mind in jumbled, slurred sentences that he couldn’t even hear. After four days, the man claimed to be hearing hushed, unintelligible voices in his head. Assuming it was an onset of psychosis, the scientists paid little attention to the man’s concerns. Two days later, the man cried that he could hear his dead wife speaking with him, and even more, he could communicate back. The scientists were intrigued, but were not convinced until the subject started naming dead relatives of the scientists. He repeated personal information to the scientists that only their dead spouses and parents would have known. At this point, a sizable portion of scientists left the study.

After a week of conversing with the deceased through his thoughts, the subject became distressed, saying the voices were overwhelming. In every waking moment, his consciousness was bombarded by hundreds of voices that refused to leave him alone. He frequently threw himself against the wall, trying to elicit a pain response. He begged the scientists for sedatives, so he could escape the voices by sleeping. This tactic worked for three days, until he started having severe night terrors. The subject repeatedly said that he could see and hear the deceased in his dreams.

Only a day later, the subject began to scream and claw at his non-functional eyes, hoping to sense something in the physical world. The hysterical subject now said the voices of the dead were deafening and hostile, speaking of hell and the end of the world. At one point, he yelled “No heaven, no forgiveness” for five hours straight. He continually begged to be killed, but the scientists were convinced that he was close to establishing contact with God.

After another day, the subject could no longer form coherent sentences. Seemingly mad, he started to bite off chunks of flesh from his arm. The scientists rushed into the test chamber and restrained him to a table so he could not kill himself. After a few hours of being tied down, the subject halted his struggling and screaming. He stared blankly at the ceiling as teardrops silently streaked across his face. For two weeks, the subject had to be manually rehydrated due to the constant crying. Eventually, he turned his head and, despite his blindness, made focused eye contact with a scientist for the first time in the study. He whispered “I have spoken with God, and he has abandoned us” and his vital signs stopped. There was no apparent cause of death.

More Than Mortal · January 23, 2015, 04:18:16 PM

Fuck you.

I'm not reading all of that.

Yu · January 23, 2015, 04:18:21 PM

Pastrami.

Coomer · January 23, 2015, 04:35:58 PM

Not bad but severing all senses means that the brain is in total isolation

Without sensation, if he lifted his arm, he wouldn't know he lifted his arms
He would not be able to speak
Or, he would use his knowledge of speaking to attempt to do so but without being able to hear his own voice or feel his tongue and mouth, the words would hardly be coherent

And how would he be able to bite his arm?
He can't feel it in his mouth to bite down on it
And how would he be sure that the arm even is in his mouth without confirmation from his senses?

He would have no conscious control over his body
All his body would be doing his incoherent movements from his attempts to control it and subconscious reflexes

Mat Cauthon · January 23, 2015, 04:39:41 PM

Good read.

spoopy

clum clum · January 23, 2015, 04:44:50 PM

Quote from: Ingloriouswho98 on January 23, 2015, 04:35:58 PM

Not bad but severing all senses means that the brain is in total isolation

Without sensation, if he lifted his arm, he wouldn't know he lifted his arms
He would not be able to speak
Or, he would use his knowledge of speaking to attempt to do so but without being able to hear his own voice or feel his tongue and mouth, the words would hardly be coherent

And how would he be able to bite his arm?
He can't feel it in his mouth to bite down on it
And how would he be sure that the arm even is in his mouth without confirmation from his senses?

He would have no conscious control over his body
All his body would be doing his incoherent movements from his attempts to control it and subconscious reflexes

It's possible that the operation wasn't entirely successful and the sensation of touch still remained somewhat.

Coomer · January 23, 2015, 05:00:59 PM

Quote from: Numb Digger on January 23, 2015, 04:44:50 PM

Quote from: Ingloriouswho98 on January 23, 2015, 04:35:58 PM
Not bad but severing all senses means that the brain is in total isolation

Without sensation, if he lifted his arm, he wouldn't know he lifted his arms
He would not be able to speak
Or, he would use his knowledge of speaking to attempt to do so but without being able to hear his own voice or feel his tongue and mouth, the words would hardly be coherent

And how would he be able to bite his arm?
He can't feel it in his mouth to bite down on it
And how would he be sure that the arm even is in his mouth without confirmation from his senses?

He would have no conscious control over his body
All his body would be doing his incoherent movements from his attempts to control it and subconscious reflexes

It's possible that the operation wasn't entirely successful and the sensation of touch still remained somewhat.

That defeats the impact of total isolation and connection to God

rC · January 23, 2015, 05:08:00 PM

lol people actually read creepypasta?

Girl of Mystery · January 23, 2015, 05:10:31 PM

gODS NoT REAl

clum clum · January 23, 2015, 05:15:43 PM

Quote from: Ingloriouswho98 on January 23, 2015, 05:00:59 PM

Quote from: Numb Digger on January 23, 2015, 04:44:50 PM
Quote from: Ingloriouswho98 on January 23, 2015, 04:35:58 PM
Not bad but severing all senses means that the brain is in total isolation

Without sensation, if he lifted his arm, he wouldn't know he lifted his arms
He would not be able to speak
Or, he would use his knowledge of speaking to attempt to do so but without being able to hear his own voice or feel his tongue and mouth, the words would hardly be coherent

And how would he be able to bite his arm?
He can't feel it in his mouth to bite down on it
And how would he be sure that the arm even is in his mouth without confirmation from his senses?

He would have no conscious control over his body
All his body would be doing his incoherent movements from his attempts to control it and subconscious reflexes

It's possible that the operation wasn't entirely successful and the sensation of touch still remained somewhat.

That defeats the impact of total isolation and connection to God

It's also possible that you don't entirely need to eliminate all of the senses.

Dustin · January 23, 2015, 05:22:17 PM

This user has been blacklisted from posting on the forums. Until the blacklist is lifted, all posts made by this user have been hidden and require a Sep7agon^® SecondClass Premium Membership to view.

Coomer · January 23, 2015, 05:53:33 PM

Quote from: Numb Digger on January 23, 2015, 05:15:43 PM

Quote from: Ingloriouswho98 on January 23, 2015, 05:00:59 PM
Quote from: Numb Digger on January 23, 2015, 04:44:50 PM
Quote from: Ingloriouswho98 on January 23, 2015, 04:35:58 PM
Not bad but severing all senses means that the brain is in total isolation

Without sensation, if he lifted his arm, he wouldn't know he lifted his arms
He would not be able to speak
Or, he would use his knowledge of speaking to attempt to do so but without being able to hear his own voice or feel his tongue and mouth, the words would hardly be coherent

And how would he be able to bite his arm?
He can't feel it in his mouth to bite down on it
And how would he be sure that the arm even is in his mouth without confirmation from his senses?

He would have no conscious control over his body
All his body would be doing his incoherent movements from his attempts to control it and subconscious reflexes

It's possible that the operation wasn't entirely successful and the sensation of touch still remained somewhat.

That defeats the impact of total isolation and connection to God

It's also possible that you don't entirely need to eliminate all of the senses.

I know but that takes away from the atmosphere of the story

clum clum · January 23, 2015, 05:58:57 PM

Quote from: Ingloriouswho98 on January 23, 2015, 05:53:33 PM

Quote from: Numb Digger on January 23, 2015, 05:15:43 PM
Quote from: Ingloriouswho98 on January 23, 2015, 05:00:59 PM
Quote from: Numb Digger on January 23, 2015, 04:44:50 PM
Quote from: Ingloriouswho98 on January 23, 2015, 04:35:58 PM
Not bad but severing all senses means that the brain is in total isolation

Without sensation, if he lifted his arm, he wouldn't know he lifted his arms
He would not be able to speak
Or, he would use his knowledge of speaking to attempt to do so but without being able to hear his own voice or feel his tongue and mouth, the words would hardly be coherent

And how would he be able to bite his arm?
He can't feel it in his mouth to bite down on it
And how would he be sure that the arm even is in his mouth without confirmation from his senses?

He would have no conscious control over his body
All his body would be doing his incoherent movements from his attempts to control it and subconscious reflexes

It's possible that the operation wasn't entirely successful and the sensation of touch still remained somewhat.

That defeats the impact of total isolation and connection to God

It's also possible that you don't entirely need to eliminate all of the senses.

I know but that takes away from the atmosphere of the story

I suppose, but it's just an explanation for that hole in the story.

Coomer · January 23, 2015, 06:01:10 PM

Quote from: Numb Digger on January 23, 2015, 05:58:57 PM

Quote from: Ingloriouswho98 on January 23, 2015, 05:53:33 PM
Quote from: Numb Digger on January 23, 2015, 05:15:43 PM
Quote from: Ingloriouswho98 on January 23, 2015, 05:00:59 PM
Quote from: Numb Digger on January 23, 2015, 04:44:50 PM
Quote from: Ingloriouswho98 on January 23, 2015, 04:35:58 PM
Not bad but severing all senses means that the brain is in total isolation

Without sensation, if he lifted his arm, he wouldn't know he lifted his arms
He would not be able to speak
Or, he would use his knowledge of speaking to attempt to do so but without being able to hear his own voice or feel his tongue and mouth, the words would hardly be coherent

And how would he be able to bite his arm?
He can't feel it in his mouth to bite down on it
And how would he be sure that the arm even is in his mouth without confirmation from his senses?

He would have no conscious control over his body
All his body would be doing his incoherent movements from his attempts to control it and subconscious reflexes

It's possible that the operation wasn't entirely successful and the sensation of touch still remained somewhat.

That defeats the impact of total isolation and connection to God

It's also possible that you don't entirely need to eliminate all of the senses.

I know but that takes away from the atmosphere of the story

I suppose, but it's just an explanation for that hole in the story.

Well, it's lazily written, cliched, and was made with no other intention than to seem creepy and mysterious

Your findings have been getting worse

Step up your game, hun

clum clum · January 23, 2015, 06:01:57 PM

Quote from: Ingloriouswho98 on January 23, 2015, 06:01:10 PM

Quote from: Numb Digger on January 23, 2015, 05:58:57 PM
Quote from: Ingloriouswho98 on January 23, 2015, 05:53:33 PM
Quote from: Numb Digger on January 23, 2015, 05:15:43 PM
Quote from: Ingloriouswho98 on January 23, 2015, 05:00:59 PM
Quote from: Numb Digger on January 23, 2015, 04:44:50 PM
Quote from: Ingloriouswho98 on January 23, 2015, 04:35:58 PM
Not bad but severing all senses means that the brain is in total isolation

Without sensation, if he lifted his arm, he wouldn't know he lifted his arms
He would not be able to speak
Or, he would use his knowledge of speaking to attempt to do so but without being able to hear his own voice or feel his tongue and mouth, the words would hardly be coherent

And how would he be able to bite his arm?
He can't feel it in his mouth to bite down on it
And how would he be sure that the arm even is in his mouth without confirmation from his senses?

He would have no conscious control over his body
All his body would be doing his incoherent movements from his attempts to control it and subconscious reflexes

It's possible that the operation wasn't entirely successful and the sensation of touch still remained somewhat.

That defeats the impact of total isolation and connection to God

It's also possible that you don't entirely need to eliminate all of the senses.

I know but that takes away from the atmosphere of the story

I suppose, but it's just an explanation for that hole in the story.

Well, it's lazily written, cliched, and was made with no other intention than to seem creepy and mysterious

Your findings have been getting worse

Step up your game, hun

Whatever happened to "Not bad"

Coomer · January 23, 2015, 06:07:53 PM

Quote from: Numb Digger on January 23, 2015, 06:01:57 PM

Quote from: Ingloriouswho98 on January 23, 2015, 06:01:10 PM
Quote from: Numb Digger on January 23, 2015, 05:58:57 PM
Quote from: Ingloriouswho98 on January 23, 2015, 05:53:33 PM
Quote from: Numb Digger on January 23, 2015, 05:15:43 PM
Quote from: Ingloriouswho98 on January 23, 2015, 05:00:59 PM
Quote from: Numb Digger on January 23, 2015, 04:44:50 PM
Quote from: Ingloriouswho98 on January 23, 2015, 04:35:58 PM
Not bad but severing all senses means that the brain is in total isolation

Without sensation, if he lifted his arm, he wouldn't know he lifted his arms
He would not be able to speak
Or, he would use his knowledge of speaking to attempt to do so but without being able to hear his own voice or feel his tongue and mouth, the words would hardly be coherent

And how would he be able to bite his arm?
He can't feel it in his mouth to bite down on it
And how would he be sure that the arm even is in his mouth without confirmation from his senses?

He would have no conscious control over his body
All his body would be doing his incoherent movements from his attempts to control it and subconscious reflexes

It's possible that the operation wasn't entirely successful and the sensation of touch still remained somewhat.

That defeats the impact of total isolation and connection to God

It's also possible that you don't entirely need to eliminate all of the senses.

I know but that takes away from the atmosphere of the story

I suppose, but it's just an explanation for that hole in the story.

Well, it's lazily written, cliched, and was made with no other intention than to seem creepy and mysterious

Your findings have been getting worse

Step up your game, hun

Whatever happened to "Not bad"

I wanted to be polite

Assassin 11D7 · January 23, 2015, 06:08:52 PM

How do you make it so he can't sense vibration?

Coomer · January 23, 2015, 06:10:26 PM

Quote from: Assassin 11D7 on January 23, 2015, 06:08:52 PM

How do you make it so he can't sense vibration?

That falls under touch

Assassin 11D7 · January 23, 2015, 06:14:31 PM

Quote from: Ingloriouswho98 on January 23, 2015, 06:10:26 PM

Quote from: Assassin 11D7 on January 23, 2015, 06:08:52 PM
How do you make it so he can't sense vibration?

That falls under touch

Touch and vibration are different. You can sense your heartbeat and soundwaves without using the sense of touch. Or maybe I'm retarded right now, idk. Either way it's ridiculously far fetched.

Coomer · January 23, 2015, 06:21:01 PM

Quote from: Assassin 11D7 on January 23, 2015, 06:14:31 PM

Quote from: Ingloriouswho98 on January 23, 2015, 06:10:26 PM
Quote from: Assassin 11D7 on January 23, 2015, 06:08:52 PM
How do you make it so he can't sense vibration?

That falls under touch
Touch and vibration are different. You can sense your heartbeat and soundwaves without using the sense of touch. Or maybe I'm retarded right now, idk. Either way it's ridiculously far fetched.

Touch and sensation are different yes but they both use the same sense

If you suppress that sense, you remove both

Assassin 11D7 · January 23, 2015, 06:22:49 PM

Quote from: Ingloriouswho98 on January 23, 2015, 06:21:01 PM

Quote from: Assassin 11D7 on January 23, 2015, 06:14:31 PM
Quote from: Ingloriouswho98 on January 23, 2015, 06:10:26 PM
Quote from: Assassin 11D7 on January 23, 2015, 06:08:52 PM
How do you make it so he can't sense vibration?

That falls under touch
Touch and vibration are different. You can sense your heartbeat and soundwaves without using the sense of touch. Or maybe I'm retarded right now, idk. Either way it's ridiculously far fetched.

Touch and sensation are different yes but they both use the same sense

If you suppress that sense, you remove both

What if he used the magnets in his body like birds?

Coomer · January 23, 2015, 06:24:16 PM

Quote from: Assassin 11D7 on January 23, 2015, 06:22:49 PM

Quote from: Ingloriouswho98 on January 23, 2015, 06:21:01 PM
Quote from: Assassin 11D7 on January 23, 2015, 06:14:31 PM
Quote from: Ingloriouswho98 on January 23, 2015, 06:10:26 PM
Quote from: Assassin 11D7 on January 23, 2015, 06:08:52 PM
How do you make it so he can't sense vibration?

That falls under touch
Touch and vibration are different. You can sense your heartbeat and soundwaves without using the sense of touch. Or maybe I'm retarded right now, idk. Either way it's ridiculously far fetched.

Touch and sensation are different yes but they both use the same sense

If you suppress that sense, you remove both
What if he used the magnets in his body like birds?

The story said they severed all connection of his brain to his body

N/A · January 23, 2015, 06:25:28 PM

This user has been blacklisted from posting on the forums. Until the blacklist is lifted, all posts made by this user have been hidden and require a Sep7agon^® SecondClass Premium Membership to view.

Assassin 11D7 · January 23, 2015, 06:27:50 PM

Quote from: Ingloriouswho98 on January 23, 2015, 06:24:16 PM

Quote from: Assassin 11D7 on January 23, 2015, 06:22:49 PM
Quote from: Ingloriouswho98 on January 23, 2015, 06:21:01 PM
Quote from: Assassin 11D7 on January 23, 2015, 06:14:31 PM
Quote from: Ingloriouswho98 on January 23, 2015, 06:10:26 PM
Quote from: Assassin 11D7 on January 23, 2015, 06:08:52 PM
How do you make it so he can't sense vibration?

That falls under touch
Touch and vibration are different. You can sense your heartbeat and soundwaves without using the sense of touch. Or maybe I'm retarded right now, idk. Either way it's ridiculously far fetched.

Touch and sensation are different yes but they both use the same sense

If you suppress that sense, you remove both
What if he used the magnets in his body like birds?

The story said they severed all connection of his brain to his body

Then he'd be dead.

clum clum · January 23, 2015, 06:31:00 PM

Quote from: Ingloriouswho98 on January 23, 2015, 06:24:16 PM

Quote from: Assassin 11D7 on January 23, 2015, 06:22:49 PM
Quote from: Ingloriouswho98 on January 23, 2015, 06:21:01 PM
Quote from: Assassin 11D7 on January 23, 2015, 06:14:31 PM
Quote from: Ingloriouswho98 on January 23, 2015, 06:10:26 PM
Quote from: Assassin 11D7 on January 23, 2015, 06:08:52 PM
How do you make it so he can't sense vibration?

That falls under touch
Touch and vibration are different. You can sense your heartbeat and soundwaves without using the sense of touch. Or maybe I'm retarded right now, idk. Either way it's ridiculously far fetched.

Touch and sensation are different yes but they both use the same sense

If you suppress that sense, you remove both
What if he used the magnets in his body like birds?

The story said they severed all connection of his brain to his body

Allow me to correct you. It severed the connection to his senses, not his body.

Assassin 11D7 · January 23, 2015, 06:33:08 PM

Quote from: Numb Digger on January 23, 2015, 06:31:00 PM

Quote from: Ingloriouswho98 on January 23, 2015, 06:24:16 PM
Quote from: Assassin 11D7 on January 23, 2015, 06:22:49 PM
Quote from: Ingloriouswho98 on January 23, 2015, 06:21:01 PM
Quote from: Assassin 11D7 on January 23, 2015, 06:14:31 PM
Quote from: Ingloriouswho98 on January 23, 2015, 06:10:26 PM
Quote from: Assassin 11D7 on January 23, 2015, 06:08:52 PM
How do you make it so he can't sense vibration?

That falls under touch
Touch and vibration are different. You can sense your heartbeat and soundwaves without using the sense of touch. Or maybe I'm retarded right now, idk. Either way it's ridiculously far fetched.

Touch and sensation are different yes but they both use the same sense

If you suppress that sense, you remove both
What if he used the magnets in his body like birds?

The story said they severed all connection of his brain to his body

Allow me to correct you. It severed the connection to his senses, not his body.

Like that somehow seems more plausible?

Coomer · January 23, 2015, 06:34:09 PM

Quote from: Numb Digger on January 23, 2015, 06:31:00 PM

Quote from: Ingloriouswho98 on January 23, 2015, 06:24:16 PM
Quote from: Assassin 11D7 on January 23, 2015, 06:22:49 PM
Quote from: Ingloriouswho98 on January 23, 2015, 06:21:01 PM
Quote from: Assassin 11D7 on January 23, 2015, 06:14:31 PM
Quote from: Ingloriouswho98 on January 23, 2015, 06:10:26 PM
Quote from: Assassin 11D7 on January 23, 2015, 06:08:52 PM
How do you make it so he can't sense vibration?

That falls under touch
Touch and vibration are different. You can sense your heartbeat and soundwaves without using the sense of touch. Or maybe I'm retarded right now, idk. Either way it's ridiculously far fetched.

Touch and sensation are different yes but they both use the same sense

If you suppress that sense, you remove both
What if he used the magnets in his body like birds?

The story said they severed all connection of his brain to his body

Allow me to correct you. It severed the connection to his senses, not his body.

Effectively, disconnecting his brain from his body

Coomer · January 23, 2015, 06:34:40 PM

Quote from: Assassin 11D7 on January 23, 2015, 06:27:50 PM

Quote from: Ingloriouswho98 on January 23, 2015, 06:24:16 PM
Quote from: Assassin 11D7 on January 23, 2015, 06:22:49 PM
Quote from: Ingloriouswho98 on January 23, 2015, 06:21:01 PM
Quote from: Assassin 11D7 on January 23, 2015, 06:14:31 PM
Quote from: Ingloriouswho98 on January 23, 2015, 06:10:26 PM
Quote from: Assassin 11D7 on January 23, 2015, 06:08:52 PM
How do you make it so he can't sense vibration?

That falls under touch
Touch and vibration are different. You can sense your heartbeat and soundwaves without using the sense of touch. Or maybe I'm retarded right now, idk. Either way it's ridiculously far fetched.

Touch and sensation are different yes but they both use the same sense

If you suppress that sense, you remove both
What if he used the magnets in his body like birds?

The story said they severed all connection of his brain to his body
Then he'd be dead.

Not literally

I meant in the conscious sense

clum clum · January 23, 2015, 06:35:10 PM

Quote from: Assassin 11D7 on January 23, 2015, 06:33:08 PM

Quote from: Numb Digger on January 23, 2015, 06:31:00 PM
Quote from: Ingloriouswho98 on January 23, 2015, 06:24:16 PM
Quote from: Assassin 11D7 on January 23, 2015, 06:22:49 PM
Quote from: Ingloriouswho98 on January 23, 2015, 06:21:01 PM
Quote from: Assassin 11D7 on January 23, 2015, 06:14:31 PM
Quote from: Ingloriouswho98 on January 23, 2015, 06:10:26 PM
Quote from: Assassin 11D7 on January 23, 2015, 06:08:52 PM
How do you make it so he can't sense vibration?

That falls under touch
Touch and vibration are different. You can sense your heartbeat and soundwaves without using the sense of touch. Or maybe I'm retarded right now, idk. Either way it's ridiculously far fetched.

Touch and sensation are different yes but they both use the same sense

If you suppress that sense, you remove both
What if he used the magnets in his body like birds?

The story said they severed all connection of his brain to his body

Allow me to correct you. It severed the connection to his senses, not his body.
Like that somehow seems more plausible?

No, but it wouldn't kill him.

God, it's just a piece of fiction. I thought that would be blatantly apparent from the start.

cuneif · January 23, 2015, 06:36:48 PM

Quote from: Numb Digger on January 23, 2015, 04:17:40 PM

In 1983, a team of deeply pious scientists conducted a radical experiment in an undisclosed facility. The scientists had theorized that a human without access to any senses or ways to perceive stimuli would be able to perceive the presence of God. They believed that the five senses clouded our awareness of eternity, and without them, a human could actually establish contact with God by thought. An elderly man who claimed to have “nothing left to live for” was the only test subject to volunteer. To purge him of all his senses, the scientists performed a complex operation in which every sensory nerve connection to the brain was surgically severed. Although the test subject retained full muscular function, he could not see, hear, taste, smell, or feel. With no possible way to communicate with or even sense the outside world, he was alone with his thoughts. Scientists monitored him as he spoke aloud about his state of mind in jumbled, slurred sentences that he couldn’t even hear. After four days, the man claimed to be hearing hushed, unintelligible voices in his head. Assuming it was an onset of psychosis, the scientists paid little attention to the man’s concerns. Two days later, the man cried that he could hear his dead wife speaking with him, and even more, he could communicate back. The scientists were intrigued, but were not convinced until the subject started naming dead relatives of the scientists. He repeated personal information to the scientists that only their dead spouses and parents would have known. At this point, a sizable portion of scientists left the study.

After a week of conversing with the deceased through his thoughts, the subject became distressed, saying the voices were overwhelming. In every waking moment, his consciousness was bombarded by hundreds of voices that refused to leave him alone. He frequently threw himself against the wall, trying to elicit a pain response. He begged the scientists for sedatives, so he could escape the voices by sleeping. This tactic worked for three days, until he started having severe night terrors. The subject repeatedly said that he could see and hear the deceased in his dreams.

Only a day later, the subject began to scream and claw at his non-functional eyes, hoping to sense something in the physical world. The hysterical subject now said the voices of the dead were deafening and hostile, speaking of hell and the end of the world. At one point, he yelled “No heaven, no forgiveness” for five hours straight. He continually begged to be killed, but the scientists were convinced that he was close to establishing contact with God.

After another day, the subject could no longer form coherent sentences. Seemingly mad, he started to bite off chunks of flesh from his arm. The scientists rushed into the test chamber and restrained him to a table so he could not kill himself. After a few hours of being tied down, the subject halted his struggling and screaming. He stared blankly at the ceiling as teardrops silently streaked across his face. For two weeks, the subject had to be manually rehydrated due to the constant crying. Eventually, he turned his head and, despite his blindness, made focused eye contact with a scientist for the first time in the study. He whispered “I have spoken with God, and he has abandoned us” and his vital signs stopped. There was no apparent cause of death.

God ain't real, try again.