Believers: if you knew someone on their deathbed that had no chance of recovering...?

Question

…and they were really distressed at the thought of death (yet you knew they would die in a few days), do you think it would be better to tell them that they would recover and be alright if you knew it would relieve their worries?

Amy, I ask this question to help me understand the mind set of believers. I want to see if they are the kind of people who believe it's OK to live a lie.

Answer 1

Mindset of believers as if we have different minds?

Well I work in a hospital and have worked in nursing homes where some patients and residents have no hope of getting better or who are about to die.

First off, Doctors do not have time to provide comfort to a patient. Doctors have to be honest with patients and somewhat clinical. Legal problems could arise if they don't.

As for the question. At that time the patient doesn't need to be lied to. Plus you have the patients family to deal with too, so tell them that and they tell their family what you said. You may not have a job. When I get a patient who is scared and dying I ask them a bunch of questions about their life and what they did. I also ask them was there anything that they never had a chance to do. I try to remind them that they did a great job on this earth. Raised their family, succesful kids and grandkids, and that they did everything they were suppose to do. I don't talk about religion to them, it is not my right to. If they ask then of course I will respond. If I don't have an answer I tell them I don't. I don't patronize the person.

I believe that my belief instructs me to take time out of busy shift to sit and talk and to give some extra attention to the patients who are in need of it. If I didn't I could rationalize that those things are for the dr to handle or just lie them, it would be okay.

Answer 2

Yes. As a Christian there is one of the Ten Commandments to not lie but there is also The Greatest Commandment to love others as much as yourself and to love God that I guess you could say overrides that one, when the two are in conflict. Additionally there is The Golden Rule. I would prefer someone to tell me I will be okay. Besides white lies are small potatoes on what you will answer for compared to filling the person with terror, fear, and dread by complete honesty. Thank you for your usual intelligent question and please don't pick this one with only a single star and then clean my clock! Thanks!!

Answer 3

I'm not sure why this is a "Believers" question. However, I had to deal with this issue last year with my grandmother. I just kept telling her to take it one day at a time, held her hand, and told her I would be there every day for her. She didn't need to hear me say she was going to die, and I couldn't bring myself to lie to her. So, I gave her support the best way I knew how.

Answer 4

This happened to me 10 years ago when my identical twin died.
I thought she would feel better if she thought she would get better. We both knew she was going to die.

I am not sure if I would have done it differently.
I still cry over it sometimes.

I wanted her to think she would be ok.
She would say stuff like, "I'll miss you," and "you can have all my clothes," and "I will always love you."

I knew she was scared, not of death, but of dying.

It broke my heart.
She was trying to hang on because our love was so strong. We were telpathic. She knew.

Towards the end, I told her that I would be ok.
I said it was ok for her to let go and be with God.

Answer 5

I think those on their deathbed,
know that they are dying.
I also they think that putting on a brave front,
so you won't worry about the situation.
I think you are deluding yourself,
if you believe that they don't know
what is happening.
They know the end is near.
Just tell them that you love them,
that is all they really want to hear.
They just want to know that their
life had purpose & they were loved, that's all.
There is no need for anything else!

Answer 6

I have watched a few people die I have seen the body of a human person draw it 's last breath and I would offer them hope in a savior that overcame death to bring life everasting and I would love and care for them as I have always

Answer 7

Like that's going to help? Wouldn't it be better to prepare them to die?

(Oh and by the way some day you're number will be up as well. so "Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon." Is 55:6,7)

Answer 8

It is never right to lie..sometimes a question arises concerning lies that seem to have positive results like yours. for example, the lie the hebrew midwives tell pharaoh seems to result in the lord’s blessing - however, it should be obvious that the Lord is blessing the midwives’ rescue of the children, rather than any falsehood they told. God in his mercy blessed them in spite of the lie, rather than because of it.

Answer 9

Skeptic,
I am a Believer and I do not lie to people. I would comfort them with words from our BIBLE or sit and talk with them but to purposely lie to them and deceive them would never be right. I am a Christian and I know that through CHRIST there lies everlasting HOPE! Have a wonderful week.
Thanks,
Eds


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Answer 10

It is always the best to stick with the truth.This would be an ideal place to tell about God.s big picture and explain that this life is not all there is. It is not too late when you are still alive.