I do not believe it is right to lie--child or adult, living or dying. If you don't know then say, "I don't know." If you believe so, then say, "I believe there is a heaven." If you disbelieve and are afraid the child will become frightened, you have numerous choices including something like, "No matter where you go from here, I will always love and remember you."

Well, I'd try to help the child come to grips with his own situation, rather than have him look forward to death.

Why would you cloud reality for them with lies right before they leave it? Pack that shit full of wisdom, tell the kid that no one is sure of anything, and that you wished you were they so you wouldn't have to deal with the utter nonsense that comes with living. Tell him/her that they are lucky! Tell him/her about the harshness of life, in all of the gory details. Tell him/her that kids their age all around the world are unhappy with life, getting raped, being killed violently, being neglected or beaten or are starving...

Do something NOBLE and tell them what you know... don't chicken out and say something like "Oh yes, there's a heaven". That just shows how much you care about them, you just end it with "There's a heaven"... how cheap.

I would probably tell the child, "Everybody in this world has their own beliefs and opinions and nobody knows what is going to happen. BUT, I can tell you as a fact, that when each one of us dies, our bodies go back into a cycle of life, to grow into flowers and birds, and the sky and trees and rivers." I would want to comfort the child while being truthful.

I would be honest and tell the child that I did not know, and that he/she should come to the conclusion on his/her own. I would focus on his/her life instead, reminisce about the good times spent on earth, on the experiences to be thankful and grateful for. Make the child appreciate the life he/she has been able to live, without fear of being violently killed in a war or raped or starved to death over several months, as he/she might have in some countries where children are not so lucky.

There are plenty of other comforting lines to use at that moment as well, to be alternatives to "there is a heaven". If it's your child, you say you don't know if there is a heaven, but you'd still love him/her forever. Or you could tell the child that death is not to be feared, that is a release, because if a child is dying and is undergoing constant agony, this might be a comfort to them.

But lying to them? No, I believe there are better, more honest ways to handle the situation.

I would say no one knows. God says there is a heaven and if you believe God then you can have that idea. But we really don't know.

I'd just say that I do not know, as to the best of my knowledge I never died before. On the bright side, if there is no heaven, then consequently there cannot be a hell.

I would say no. I would add that I don't believe there is, yet other people seem to think there is.

But just because a child is dying doesn't mean the kid needs to be lied to.

By the way, as Richard Dawkins point out repeatedly on the God Delusion: There are no "Catholic Children", they are just "Children to Catholic parents". If the kid asks about heaven religious indoctrination has already commenced.

I would say, "No, you little shiite! And your to young to get any virgins anyway so don't even think about it. Oh, and by the way, there's no such thing as Santa Claus or the Easter bunny."

I will say there is heaven but it depends on how good your character is if you wish to go to heaven.

I will then tell him how to get to heaven by practising compassion and good deeds not praying and having blind faith in god.

I'd tell them I don't know. If they ask me after they die, I probably won't hear their question.

Who cares, if the person is going to die soon it's not going to matter which way you answer

I'd tell him "This is it. I guess you're SOL."

the child will not remember silence

Without a doubt, without reservation, while I have my own doubts that's my burden to bear. Anything to provide comfort ... it's just a matter of compassion.

There is a Heaven full of Wii and sugar, with no bathing, no vegetables and no sleep time.

So what's the harm in saying so, whether or not you believe it?

It's not like you never lied before, since you don't believe in heaven or hell (or you do, whatever)...

i would say there is a heaven because there IS a heaven. period.

besides, who looks at a child and says "sorry, no there isn't. when you die, we will bury your body and nothing else will happen." ? that's messed up !

I would say yes because despite my own beliefs to the contrary, I feel it is more beneficial to give the child some solace in knowing he will have a better existence after a horribly short life. And once his death comes, if there is a Heaven and he goes to it I was truthful, otherwise he doesn't even know I was lying. But at least he died peacefully without worrying that he lived such a short life, etc.

I am the most atheist person you can meet, but for a dying child who is asking me the question "is there a heaven", I would lie and say yes.

The reason for this is simple.

Heaven is a fantasy .. a great place where people get to frolic around in the clouds, playing harps and games of poker with famous dead people.

The reality is that there is nothing after death only decomposition and your name on a bit of stone above your bones and that is a bit bleak, not everyone can handle it, especially not a child.

This child just so happens to be on the verge of death, at this point they need positivity not despair any shock could facilitate their journey to death.

So I would lie, and say their is a heaven, and say it is full of toys and ice cream.

As was modeled so remarkably in the movie "Life is Beautiful", I would attempt to explain the destination options in an adventurous format. From my worldview, I believe that the Lord has accomplished all that child-like faith is attracted to - hope, love, security, possibilities and ultimately, true invincibility through Christ. He has gone to prepare this place called heaven for every child of his. He loves us and desires to perpetuate and grow that relationship forever and ever. I would also describe the choice that the Lord gives us in the metaphor of an airport with only TWO gates - both marked "H". The one (Hell-Eternal Separation) will be broad and lead to destruction. The other (Heaven) narrow and lead to this life eternal in the presence of God. I would add that this choice must be made by people who have had the privilege of navigating a more mature and typical length of life. His choice for all of His children under a certain age is life in community with Him, in bliss and peace. I would ask lots more questions of the child and gauge their curiosity and anticipation of what is to come. Often their insights are extraordinary. I love the treatment of this serious subject given by the performance of Abigail Breslin in the movie (from book) "The Ultimate Gift"...she senses that heaven will have butterflies everywhere. I love these glimpses of the possibilities...oh, what comes from the mouths of babes!

It is better for that dying child to die without worry and regret.

I would say that simply so I would not be cruel. The outcome is better both ways if I answer it this way. If there really is a heaven, hey I didnt lie. If there wasnt a heaven, well the kids dead and cannot be angry at me.

Giving the chance to believe in heaven is not a bad thing. Would you tell them that Santa does not exist? And if you do shame on you for not letting them be a kid. if they are dying give them some hope for better things to come.

i will say YES.....................

because i am a human not a brutal animal

Yes! You want your last memory to be a happy one don't you? So why wouldn't you do the same for a poor child?

Even if I was an atheist, I think I would tell my child, or any child for that matter, that he or she will go to heaven for the same reason I would tell him or her about the stork rather than sex- they're just not ready for the news. That's a very, no offense, morbid way to think of death and I would never want to hurt a child like that.

If you are sure that they are going to die soon, then of course you should give them the hope of something better after death, unless they are the kind of kid who can accept their own death and ultimate end; but you would have to know this latter fact without a doubt.

A child has a right to know God's promises for them and all people.

yea definitely. its better that they think their going to a better place then to die and not to know what awaits them. Not knowing what happens to you after death is really scary, so imagine how a child will feel.

Yes, of course. I'm not that cold.

The focus here should be on the child, not on our personal beliefs. Talking a little with the child will probably reveal specific fears. Say or do whatever is necessary to comfort the child.

In such a situation, both the adult and child should be guided by a mental health professional.

Although I personally don't believe in a heaven, out of generosity I would tell the child there was a heaven and that everything would be OK. It's pretty morbid and disrespectful in my opinion to tell a dying child there's nothing to look forward to. It's an easy fallback to use the Heaven story, so I figure why not?

although im anti religious, i would. just to keep the childs spirits up

I would say yes, while the concept of heaven is questionable, I think that it gives people hope.

If someone was dying, I would like to keep them hoping. You do not want to make them miserable in their last days.

Of course if they were a brat, I may say something else.

I would say yes because i know that Jesus says that there is an afterlife and his authority has never been disproved.