What do Atheists do when their parents die?

Question

My mother recently died and I keep hearing "God this, God that." I keep being told God will take care of me.

Answer 1

I just let it go as good intentions, took no offense.

Saw no reason to be rude to people who were consoling me and my family.

I had already done my grieving watching his long illness, then Hurricane Katrina finished him off.

PAULO- my mother chose the church as her right. What is wrong with you? In my case, no church memorial. It's in my living will.

Answer 2

Once upon a time, my mother told me the story about how she became an atheist. When she was a child, the priest in her church said anybody who didn't believe in God was going to Hell. She told me, "That meant my father was going to Hell, and I KNEW that couldn't be true, because he was the best man I knew."

My mother raised four sons. All have advanced degrees, all are productive citizens. She founded two environmental organizations, traveled all over the world, and was beloved by many on three continents before she died at the age of 76. She was out riding her bicycle when a woman in an SUV plowed through a stop sign and slammed into her and killed her. Not a day goes by that I don't think about her and smile, remembering all the laughter we shared.

Note to PAULO: What a sad, mean-spirited little man you must be.

Answer 3

Just go with it, and don't bring up your religious differences. The last place you want to get in an argument about religion is at a funeral.

Just know that you aren't the only one who deeply cared about your mom, and that others miss her just as much. It's the cycle of life, and it happens to everyone at some point. If you feel the need to be alone for a few days, then so be it. You will feel better after a few days.

Answer 4

Well, when my dad died, for two days I was in a stooper, then I heard his favorite song on the radio three days later and cried. It's been a few years now and I am fine with it. Not fine in like I wouldn't want to have him back, but in a way that says, I understand he's dead. I didn't have people talk to me about god. It doesn't really bother me if they did, because it's there way of telling me they mean well.

Answer 5

I have been thinking about that a lot recently.

I don't know exactly, but my parents are starting to get old and frail, and I know their time is limited. The rest of my family are very religious fundamentalist Christians, so I don't think they will go for a simple memorial or remembrance or celebration of life.
I only get one vote after all.

As the oldest, who has always given the speeches at their various anniversaries and milestone birthdays, it will likely fall to me to offer some sort of eulogy. I will not pay lip service to my familys' religious beliefs in whatever words I have to share.

My wifes mother died recently, and she comes from a large Baptist family. The very religious funeral was amusing in some ways, because of the stern looks the pastor kept sending our way as the known atheists in the crowd, everytime he talked about her "going to a better place" or "walking with Jesus".

Answer 6

I am sorry for your loss, and know that you grieve.

when my mom died a few years ago, people were kind and I don't remember any hurtful speaking.

Let it roll off your back if anyone is rude. You can find the strength to do this, and [I think] any mature person will support you in this.

If it gets to be too much, then be by yourself or with trusted ones only. Saying "Please, I need to be by myself." at such times will almost always get you pretty instant relief.

Answer 7

Grin and bear it. Get away to yourself asap. If you have to, stay with a friend for a few days. You have enough to deal with without that. Same thing happened to me this summer when my dad died. Get a room at a hotel, do something to be out of that atmosphere. You need a break. I am so very, very sorry about your loss of your mother. I know you hurt. My heart goes out to you.

Answer 8

When my mom died I cried. I still miss her.

I never felt a need for god in my grieving process. I knew death is a natural part of life and that I would hold onto memories of mom for the rest of my life, and share them with my kids.

.

Answer 9

I will grieve.

If people tell me "god blah blah blah" I'll say thank you for the thoughts. I won't really have the energy nor the inclination to debate while I am grieving for my loss. They can say what they like, but I'll just enjoy the memories of two of the most wonderful people on this planet.

Without the need of some deity.

Answer 10

i'm no longer a parent, yet while i grew to become into and my baby asked me what happens while human beings die i could say they end residing. she or he could have little concept of the assumption of an afterlife so i won't be able to think of why that answer could disillusioned them. What do mothers and fathers say while a puppy dies? Christians don't think in animals going to Heaven yet many make it up and say they do. human beings misinform their youngsters each and all of the time approximately complicated questions, yet i do no longer think of that mendacity is mandatory. *edit* So the region is your a 4 year-outdated asking the place their at the instant deceased grandmother is. in case you weren't m baby i does no longer even touch it. in case you have been i could say "she died". in case you ask what loss of life ability i could say "loss of life is while human beings end residing". a baby of four could in all likelihood no longer be waiting to or does no longer care sufficient to articulate their confusion in this undertaking, yet once you probably did i could proceed by making use of saying "she isn't with us anymore, while one dies we gained't see them returned". i could anticipate you to the two pass away it at that, cry, or retaining pressing their confusion. At this ingredient i could only pass out and purchase a e book on it. they have books for each and all of the difficult questions. I have been given one approximately the place babies come from as a baby. LOL

Answer 11

We remember them with love. Get strength from the rest of the family and friends. Pretty much what Christians do without the god this and god that.