I feel like a hypocrite. I am pretending to be Christian to please my dying mentor?

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EddY

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I am a 20 year old man. I was a Christan during my childhood and some of my teen years. I had a close mentor and friend. She was an older lady from the church and we got on well. I went too her for almost all my advice. I left the Christian faith and became an atheist.

A month ago, I learned this lady had terminal brain cancer and has about three months to live. I was devastated and guilty because due to work I had rarely called her and I had never mentioned I am now an athiest.

I went to church too see her two weeks ago and shes so frail and I couldn't bring myself to tell her I am now an atheists. Shes such a good Christian woman who believes strongly in the Lord. I have went to church the past three Sunday and visited her a few times. I try to avoid religion during my visits but it comes up and I have get around it by implying I am a Christian without directly lying.

I feel so awful about doing this but I also hate to break her heart since she seen me grow up and I was once a strong Christian. How do I handle this? Am I real bad person?
 
No dude your not a bad person. I think people are inherently good and don't need conversion. I don't know really how to justify or not justify lying, but it happens to everyone. We're all liars and hypocrites regardless of who we are and what we believe. Different people just deal with those things more or less ethically.
 
if it means that much to her, don't tell her!
 
If your ashamed to be an Atheists in front of your mentor and friend, what is that telling her about yourself? It's better to come clean than live in a lie. But than again why should you care, she's just going to be another corps resting in the ground with no afterlife.

I just gave you something to think about.

God Bless.
 
She's dying. Who gives a shit if you feel bad for lying to her so she feels better when she's, you know, dying?

Christ.

- atheist
 
eh, just let her think you're still christian. My mom loses sleep each night because I told her that I'm atheist. She always tells me how bad of a parent she was for not making me believe. She always asks me if i respect her parental advice, and guidance and I told her that I do, except for religion. She thinks that I think shes crazy... I mean I do, and I don't. I know behind that religious mask shes wearing is an amazing mother, and friend, and wise person. I feel bad that my decision makes her lose sleep, but I will never pretend to believe in something that I can't believe.
 
Use "The Old Lady's Fruitcake" Philosophy...

If your old neighbor lady smilingly gives you an inedible fruitcake every dam year, simply smile back, say thank you, and God Bless, and then call it a guilt-free day because you made an old lonely lady happy...

See what I mean?

Let yourself off the hook on this one...

You're doing the right thing in making her last days on Earth not "worrisome"...and that's a nice thing to do...

)))((("Gong...")))(((
 
I commend you on your efforts to do the right thing here. Unfortunately this i a very sticky and personal decision. I see both side of the problem. One thing that I would like to point out is that by going to church you are not hurting yourself or anyone else and you are making someone else happy that needs it right now. I know that lying is wrong but sometimes just not revealing info is best.

Personally, I have a similar problem with my grandparents. I used to be a christian also but it was never right for me and I have found my path else where. I have not told my grandparents because I just don't see what point it would serve other than to hurt them and make them worry. As well as putting a strain on our relationship while they are still with us. This is my personal decision. If they came out and directly asked me I would probably tell them just because I don't want to lie, however, I don't feel the need to just come out and tell them. Beliefs are a very personal thing and therefore don't have to be explained to anyone else. When the subject comes up I just nod my head and try to steer the subject in a different direction.

This is just my personal experience and I hope it helps you in yours. This is something you are just going to have to decide what you feel is the right thing to do. I wish you luck. )O(
 
You're not an awful person, anything that minimizes pain is (almost) always the right choice. And in this case it definitely is. It's one of those lies that really isn't hurting anyone. And, since you're an atheist, you don't have to worry about any cosmic punishment.
 
Don't feel bad about being who you are, and don't feel bad about not telling her either. You love her and she knows it, so let her go to her grave in peace.
You are a good friend so this little difference in opinion doesn't matter a jot.
 
Holy Moses. Tell her quickly that you aren't christian. By lying to her, telling her that you're a christian, your not doing her a favor, your being an egocentric bastard. She should deserve the truth, and certainly in this time of her life.

And no, your not a bad person. We make bad decisions sometimes if we think it helps someone.
 
tell her you are an athiest. if she doesnt like it too bad, thats her problem. but i think if she is a good christian she should be ok with it. im not a christian, i wasnt raised christian, i was raised athiest (my family has been athiest back to my grandmother) but i think christianity teaches to respect other religions.
 
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