Atheists: What would you say to a dying child who asks you if they'll go to heaven?

[DodosAreDead]

Assume the child is very young, somewhere in the range of 4-8, perhaps? Their parents are religious. They're worried about hell. What will your response be?

[The Valkyrie]

Not up to me to decide or comment.

I would remain non commital.

If the child is dying I assume the parents are nearby. It’s up to them to answer any such questions.

I have declined praying with sick patients and their families in the past.

[Chad32]

I'd probably stick with the more standard "Everything will be fine. The pain will be over soon" stuff. Also try to comfort them if they're afraid they're going to be set on fire after they die because their parents decided to be dicks and talk about hellfire and brimstone.

Maybe I'd let them still believe in heaven, just like how now's probably not a great time to tell them Santa isn't real.

[Angrboda]

No tears. Only dreams now....

[robvalue]

It depends on the situation.

At the most extreme end, if the child is literally going to be dead in a minute or two, and it's clearly indoctrinated, and no one else was at hand to comfort it... sure, I'd say it's going to heaven.

Other than that, I'd have to know what the circumstances were, and how I became involved in the situation. Best guess I'd try and say as little as possible and just be comforting.

[Minimalist]

If I'm going to lie to a kid I'll tell them that they will get well instead.

[DodosAreDead]

If I'm going to lie to a kid I'll tell them that they will get well instead.

But then when they're about to die you're gonna leave them feeling betrayed, sad and confused.

[Silver]

Assume the child is very young, somewhere in the range of 4-8, perhaps? Their parents are religious. They're worried about hell. What will your response be?

As a nurse I can't really "answer" that question. Instead, I would have to state, "that's a question for your parents".

[ignoramus]

I'd tell them whatever brings them joy for the little time they have remaining...
Fuck principles. I'd lie out my arse to put a smile on a dying kid's face anytime.

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

'No, love, you aren't going to Heaven, but something much more wonderful is going to happen.  When your body stops working, you'll sleep forever and ever.  But the part of you that's left will break down into a million, jillion teeny pieces and become part of everything in the whole world - trees, bumblebees, the oceans - just everything.  And those tiny bits of you will never, ever go away. You're going to be part of everything forever and ever, so you aren't really going away.'

Boru