How would you comfort a dying atheist?

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Also, do you think it is okay to respect the religious views of other family members , like praying, last rites... if they insist it be done?

Specializes in Critical care, tele, Medical-Surgical.
Mebbe so ... that's between the dying person and the deity ... it's not for me to mediate.

My job is to promote peace and serenity as best I can ... Leslie said it better than I could back on the first page.

You are so right.

I went off topic.

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You are so right.

I went off topic.

i'm sorry???

you can go off topic, but you didn't.

that went right over my head...

which doesn't take much.:chuckle

leslie

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Specializes in Critical care, tele, Medical-Surgical.
i'm sorry???

you can go off topic, but you didn't.

that went right over my head...

which doesn't take much.:chuckle

leslie

I know it is OK to go off topic in ALLNURSESCENTRAL.

I explained my personal belief.

It was not how I do my best to comfort all patients.

Atheists and all.

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I know it is OK to go off topic in ALLNURSESCENTRAL.

I explained my personal belief.

It was not how I do my best to comfort all patients.

Atheists and all.

fwiw, i do believe that we are shown the 'light'...the truth, when we die...

(light/truth/love...all interchangeable.)

and depending on how one defines "condemned", i suppose if one fights/opposes the truth at the time of death/transition, then they are fated to a realm where they can learn about truth and love and light.

as they slowly learn, it brings them that much closer to the light.

herring, i do believe that if you and i talked about this over a cup of coffee, we would agree that we are on the same page.

leslie

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Specializes in Hospice.
You are so right.

I went off topic.

:uhoh21: If I came across like the thread police, I apologize. Wasn't intended ... just making my own observation.

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leslie :-D

you try and give their life meaning.

I am an atheist, and I think this is what I would want - to reflect on what my life meant to me, and to my loved ones. Very nice, leslie.

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leslie :-D

you try and give their life meaning.

I am an atheist, and I think this is what I would want - to reflect on what my life meant to me, and to my loved ones. Very nice, leslie.

thank you, laney.

that means a lot.

i think that regardless of our religious (or lack) affiliations:

regardless of social class, culture, politics;

that we humans, possess and share certain core values...

and they are universal.

and so, as a hospice nurse, it's not so much as to how one comforts an athiest...

but how to reach one's soul, where none of the aforementioned 'identifiers', reside.

it's absolutely and totally what connects and bonds us as creatures of this universe.

leslie

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Specializes in Ha! I am gaining experience everyday!.

I believe that I would ask them what their wishes were and, to the best of my abilities, I would see to it that they were carried out. Although they are devoid of religion, I am positive that being there for them, even if it is only holding their hand and making sure that they weren't alone when the time came, would help their "soul". I had a friend once, she was atheist, and she said that she welcomed prayer. So, anything that you can do for them will help. And if they inquire about your personal religion, by all means start the conversation. They don't need to be converted unless they wished it so, they just need a friend.

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

How would I comfort a dying atheist? The same way I would comfort any other dying person...........by providing a hand to hold, a friendly voice, medication to control pain and anxiety, and as much dignity as possible.

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Specializes in Peds Critical Care, Dialysis, General.

The same as other posters. Be there, hold a hand, find music that they like, lend my ear as they reflect back on their life. It's their experience and it should be on their terms, not what I personally believe.

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

An atheist patient? I would make sure they don't die alone - if they want me to hold their hand, or talk, or just be there, I'd do any or all of the above.

An atheist loved one? I would make sure they die knowing that they are loved. By me.

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The one thing that is personal to all, no matter your believe or sprituality, is that at the moment you leave this life, it is all about you and no one else. You have no friend or family that is going with you at that time, no one to tell you what to say or do! It is just you and your faith, light or god at that point! So I think that anyone who is by your side at that time, be it health care worker or family, should just be there.....There is honor in a life well lived, even if not for a purpose we believe in, and peace in death after that life. What do you say to an aithist who is dieing? GO WITH GRACE.

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