Was baptism designed to induce a near-death experience?

Question

I read somewhere that originally, baptism was designed to hold the person under water long enough that they thought they were going to die and would see God. Sort of like water-boarding, only the idea was to have a mystical experience. What do you think?

Here is a link I found that mentions it:

http://www.planetdeb.net/spirit/ndeshamn.htm

Answer 1

Kind of.

One of the symbolisms of Baptism is to die to sin and rise to new life in Christ.

I have never heard that it was used to bring a real near death experience.

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

Baptism was institued my Jesus and first spread through the Apostle John. It's purpose is to wash away the sins and recieve salvation. It's a symbolic cleansing of the soul through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. However, it was never the practice of those that originally performed the act to near kill them so they might see God.

You find God and then are baptized.

Answer 3

Is that why Russell Crowe is trying it now?