Is there a scientific explanation (or at least, some theories out there that are currently being tested) to explain why apparently sane and sober people have mystical visions such as:

seeing/hearing God
seeing angels
seeing ghosts

?

If my question seems unclear, click here for a more detailed version of the question, which I asked in the religious section.

Sweetie, your link is to THIS question

Oh geez. Here is the other, original question. Thanks for pointing that out, MX2!

Here is an interesting site that may answer some of your questions.

http://skepdic.com/contents.html

Also look under 'alien abduction' in that list, as there are some good insights that could apply to similar type experiences you have listed above.

I also recommend Why People Believe Weird Things by Michael Shermer (1997, description at Amazon.com) for a wider perspective. He discusses what he calls the "belief engine" as a relic of the evolutionary biology of humans.

Thanks, ST and Professor! I'm going to the book store today... although I'm tempted to get _How We Believe_ by Michael Shermer rather than his _Why People Believe Weird Things_ (I found the latter through the site you gave me, Professor, and they *both* look so interesting). I appreciate your answers.

Both books you mention are the first 2 of Shermer's "trilogy," the 3rd of which is the The Science of Good and Evil (which I have not yet read). I use quotes around trilogy because they are loosely linked and I'm not sure he intended them as a series.