When people believe in God and heaven - they tell their kids that the person who transitioned "went to heaven" - or is with God. And many will go on to say things like, "He's with grandpa now." Whether it's true or not it's comforting. And I'm sure the parents are not intentionally lying to their kids.
What do Atheist parents tell their children to comfort them when somebody dies - especially somebody young? How do the children react?
This question is not asked in a "prove yourself" kind of way. I do believe in God - but I believe God to be LOVE. The power of love. It's not a big Daddy in the sky - and It doesn't grant wishes or judge us. Actually It doesn't DO anything. It's just there and we can chose to use it or not. I don't believe in hell - and recently - I've started to wonder WHY I believe in heaven. I'm thinking mostly because it's a comforting thought. Easier - ego stroking - comforting. Hmmmm.
2007-11-24 05:17:30 · 12 answers · asked by liddabet 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
First I explained to my children that Death is a natural part of life, one of the few things we all must face regardless of stature in life. Then I just told them what they already felt.. that only when our memories fade is that person forgotten. Death is really simple... its reproduction that is tricky to explain lol...
2007-11-24 05:47:06 · answer #1 · answered by Hugh G. Rection 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think it's silly to comfort children by telling them their loved ones have gone to an imaginary place in the sky that there is absolutely no proof of. Kids are smarter than a lot of parents realize. Questions, questions, questions.
Fortunately, I haven't had to deal with this issue. But I do believe it's better to REMEMBER people for what they were while they were living, instead of dwelling on their happiness in the afterlife, simply to make it easier for yourself.
They've died, their body is all that is left. It will become part of the earth... if you remember them they won't feel so far away.
2007-11-24 05:27:04 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
They lived a sturdy existence. One can't stay devoid of demise. there is not any reason to sugar coat reality with irrational notions of an afterlife. If one sugar coats reality, the baby heavily isn't waiting to fully get exhilaration from the only existence they are going to ever have.
2016-09-30 02:21:01 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have always been upfront with my kids about the idea of death. It has never been portrayed in my home as a negative thing, it's part of the natural cycle of life and should be respected as such. As a result, my kids(or my oldest at least, the baby is too young) have never feared death, it's just a matter of fact occurence. I won't lie to my kids and say there is a heaven when there isn't. I think religion creates MORE fear of death than it taking fear away- at least for kids. What if _______
was a bad person and they go to Hell? That's terrifying for a kid to think about!!
2007-11-24 05:38:19 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
I'm agnostic so I have encountered this as well.
The best I can tell my kids is to cherish the memories and that person never really dies in your heart.
I have told them honestly that everyone dies at some point.
I have told them "Life is not measured in the breaths you take, but rather the moments that take you breath away.
2007-11-24 05:25:28 · answer #5 · answered by queen of snarky-yack again 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Grief over the death of a loved one is about loss. The fact that the dead no longer exist is "comforting" enough for me, with regard to my loved one. However, even if I were to believe that she or he "were in a better place," that would do nothing to assuage my grief, my loss, the emptiness I'd be feeling.
I've never had to have this kind of discussion with a child, but I think that if I did I would let the child know that I understand their pain, and that I'd be there for them if they needed someone to talk to.
.
2007-11-24 05:38:50 · answer #6 · answered by YY4Me 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
As an atheist who does not lie, I tell my children that their grandmother died, after living a full and happy life. I tell them that we should remember her how she lived, and not think of her in some heaven. I tell them that she lives on in each of us since we share some of her genes. I tell them that she lives on in each of us even beyond these genes, because she has touched our lives and we have learned from our experiences with her.
No gods required.
2007-11-24 05:27:42 · answer #7 · answered by CC 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
I don't say he's gone to heaven, but I do tell them that they are now in a better, happier place and visitng with 'grandma' (whomever they would know that is also passed away).
2007-11-24 05:23:33 · answer #8 · answered by Melissa 3 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Why is "non-existence" something to be feared?
It would be a lot like what was before you were born... a whole lot of nothingness.
I believe that death is the end of life. No pain, no pleasure, no sadness, no happiness... no nothing.
What's so scary about that?
2007-11-24 05:27:38 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
I simply explain that they will never lose the person if they keep them alive in their heart.
Kids are smarter about life than for which most people give them credit.
2007-11-24 05:22:47 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 11⤊ 1⤋