How would you comfort a dying atheist?

lilybug12 · Mar 27, 2012

Im am so sad to see so many atheists. I too wish everyone could feel the peace I know. the very reason I became a nurse was to share the good news. I will not push it on you , but I will share and I will pray for you.and if asked I would lead prayer.

Merlyn · Mar 27, 2012

Im am so sad to see so many atheists. I too wish everyone could feel the peace I know. the very reason I became a nurse was to share the good news. I will not push it on you , but I will share and I will pray for you.and if asked I would lead prayer.

We do feel peace, Sweet Soul. In the beauty of a sunset. When I'm alone in the forest or listening to Beethoven's Fifth. To gaze into the sky and see the tail of the Milky Way. For a Surgeon to cut someones heart out and than put it back, jump start it and the person lives fills me with wonder. Unlike some atheists, when someone says they will pray for you, I thank them. There is no greater thing then someone taking time out of their life to think of me.

But to pray that I come to your belief is kind of selfish, Don't you think. I don't want anyone to be an atheist. It is my belief alone. I feel that I don't know about any ones wants and needs. So I'll end this by saying go in peace and my your God go with you.

anotherone, BSN, RN · Mar 28, 2012

Im am so sad to see so many atheists. I too wish everyone could feel the peace I know. the very reason I became a nurse was to share the good news. I will not push it on you , but I will share and I will pray for you.and if asked I would lead prayer.

I am often really sad to see so many "believers" of anything. And I mean that very sincerely.

brainkandy87 · Mar 28, 2012

Im am so sad to see so many atheists. I too wish everyone could feel the peace I know. the very reason I became a nurse was to share the good news. I will not push it on you , but I will share and I will pray for you.and if asked I would lead prayer.

I wake up every morning and feel peace. I don't need religion, God, or a book to help me feel that. I go to work, I help sick people get better, and I go to bed knowing I tried my best to be the best person I can be. That's how I wake up every morning and feel peace.

julianp · Mar 28, 2012

Im am so sad to see so many atheists. I too wish everyone could feel the peace I know. the very reason I became a nurse was to share the good news. I will not push it on you , but I will share and I will pray for you.and if asked I would lead prayer.

Typical arrogance wrapped in empathy. If you became a nurse to "share the good news" (code for preaching) then you got in for the wrong reason. Atheists feel peace in knowing (not believing) that the atoms that make up our bodies came from an exploding star. I find peace in knowing that everything is connected atomically and on this planet biologically for millions of years. The one thing I felt for the first time when I could admit to myself I am an atheist is peace.

tewdles, RN · Apr 1, 2012

First, I will admit that I have not read all of the posts. I did read a good number of excellent responses from persons who typically provide excellent advice and thoughts.

I treat atheists they same way that I treat any other patient, with respect relative to their beliefs while honoring their lives.

That means that this pentecostal nurse has participated in native American ritual, islamic ritual, buddist ritual, etc. Whatever my patient needs on a spiritual level to complete their living and commence with dying, that is what I seek to provide for them. It matters not if it in any way resembles my religion or beliefs.

There is NO conflict with my faith...I serve my God as I help these dear people nearing the end of their days. They are only aware that I am there to serve them.

While my personal faith may speak to the requirements for salvation, I believe that we are all shown the TRUTH in our death and that God is merciful - in new ways - everyday.

PetsToPeople · Apr 1, 2012

"Power resides where men believe it resides; it's a trick, a shadow on the wall..." Game of Thrones

bingubsn · Apr 3, 2012

Just because someone's dying without faith in god doesn't mean you don't comfort them through the grieving process.

Columnist · Apr 3, 2012

Just because someone's dying without faith in god doesn't mean you don't comfort them through the grieving process.

Exactly! This is the topic of the thread..... What are ways to comfort a dying atheist.

Perhaps, rather than focusing on atheist vs Christian or any other belief system, we need to focus on examples of what would bring comfort to a dying atheist and his/her family and friends, and how this applies to us as nurses. It is not our place as nurses to change a patient's beliefs but to work with those beliefs to provide compassionate care as they face death.

Merlyn · Apr 3, 2012

I never knew that we atheist could cause so much trouble in dying. Nurses on this thread questioning their own beliefs, going to give us just the same care as believers. Fights braking out. Names being called. Blood being spilled. Brake out the Bushmills and the Beads, Patty. We got ourselves an Irish Wake. SLAINTE!

tewdles, RN · Apr 4, 2012

You comfort atheists they way they want and need to be comforted. It is individual for each dying person while we are using the basic elements of listening and hearing the person.

We don't treat atheists any differently than we treat any other type of person. It ALL hinges on them, their needs, their lives, etc.

So...if they need me to leave them alone, I leave them alone. If they need me to hold their hand, I hold their hand. ETC, ETC, ETC. It really can be just that simple.

leslie :-D · Apr 4, 2012

You comfort atheists they way they want and need to be comforted. It is individual for each dying person while we are using the basic elements of listening and hearing the person.
We don't treat atheists any differently than we treat any other type of person. It ALL hinges on them, their needs, their lives, etc.
So...if they need me to leave them alone, I leave them alone. If they need me to hold their hand, I hold their hand. ETC, ETC, ETC. It really can be just that simple.

exactly, tewdles (re the bolded).

frankly, i was a tad perplexed at the title of this thread, because it infers that dying involves either believing or not believing.

that's only a part of it, though.

it can involve anything but.

i've tended to many deaths where God and/or afterlife, was never mentioned.

i've had staunch believers that were much less so, as death neared.

i've had staunch non-believers who've smiled at the thought of a possible *other* life.

some dying people want to talk, chit/chat...others choose to watch tv and tune everyone out.

some even use their meds as an escape.

so to ask how to treat a non-believer, is akin to simply asking, "how to treat a dying person".

whether they are a believer or non-believer, is a moot point unless the pt expresses concerns/questions.

so yes, back to what tewdles is saying - it truly is contingent on who the person is- their personality, their values, their involvement, their energy levels - lots to consider when trying to allow your pt to die well.

often enough, the issue of believing/not-believing, is the least of their concerns.

leslie