CAPSLOCKED:
A LOT OF PEOPLE MAY HATE ME FOR THIS BUT IT'S THE ABSOLUTE TRUTH, AND I DON'T KNOW HOW TO PRETEND.
IN CASE THEY DON'T KNOW, I'D REMIND THEM OF HOW THE WORLD WORKS. HOW WE AREN'T SPECIAL, AND ARE ALL JUST SURVIVING BY LUCK.
THESE PROBLEMS ARE ALWAYS A PART OF US AND THE ONLY WAY WE FINALLY ESCAPE THEM IS WHEN WE STOP BREATHING.

DEPENDING ON THEIR SITUATION, I'M GOING TO ASSURE THEM TO HAVE HOPE IN THE CHANCE THAT THINGS "MAY" GET BETTER. WE ALWAYS HOPE FOR GOOD THINGS, BUT WE SHOULD ALWAYS EXPECT THE WORST UNPLEASANT THINGS BECAUSE THAT'S ALWAYS THE END OF ALL OF THESE THINGS WE'RE DOING HERE. NO MATTER WHAT WE DO, WE'RE DESTINED TO LOSE IN THE END.

CAPSLOCKED:
A LOT OF PEOPLE MAY HATE ME FOR THIS BUT IT'S THE ABSOLUTE TRUTH, AND I DON'T KNOW HOW TO PRETEND.
IN CASE THEY DON'T KNOW, I'D REMIND THEM OF HOW THE WORLD WORKS. HOW WE AREN'T SPECIAL, AND ARE ALL JUST SURVIVING BY LUCK.
THESE PROBLEMS ARE ALWAYS A PART OF US AND THE ONLY WAY WE FINALLY ESCAPE THEM IS WHEN WE STOP BREATHING.

DEPENDING ON THEIR SITUATION, I'M GOING TO ASSURE THEM TO HAVE HOPE IN THE CHANCE THAT THINGS "MAY" GET BETTER. WE ALWAYS HOPE FOR GOOD THINGS, BUT WE SHOULD ALWAYS EXPECT THE WORST UNPLEASANT THINGS BECAUSE THAT'S ALWAYS THE END OF ALL OF THESE THINGS WE'RE DOING HERE. NO MATTER WHAT WE DO, WE'RE DESTINED TO LOSE IN THE END.

CAPSLOCKED:
A LOT OF PEOPLE MAY HATE ME FOR THIS BUT IT'S THE ABSOLUTE TRUTH, AND I DON'T KNOW HOW TO PRETEND.
IN CASE THEY DON'T KNOW, I'D REMIND THEM OF HOW THE WORLD WORKS. HOW WE AREN'T SPECIAL, AND ARE ALL JUST SURVIVING BY LUCK.
THESE PROBLEMS ARE ALWAYS A PART OF US AND THE ONLY WAY WE FINALLY ESCAPE THEM IS WHEN WE STOP BREATHING.

DEPENDING ON THEIR SITUATION, I'M GOING TO ASSURE THEM TO HAVE HOPE IN THE CHANCE THAT THINGS "MAY" GET BETTER. WE ALWAYS HOPE FOR GOOD THINGS, BUT WE SHOULD ALWAYS EXPECT THE WORST UNPLEASANT THINGS BECAUSE THAT'S ALWAYS THE END OF ALL OF THESE THINGS WE'RE DOING HERE. NO MATTER WHAT WE DO, WE'RE DESTINED TO LOSE IN THE END.

CAPSLOCKED:
A LOT OF PEOPLE MAY HATE ME FOR THIS BUT IT'S THE ABSOLUTE TRUTH, AND I DON'T KNOW HOW TO PRETEND.
IN CASE THEY DON'T KNOW, I'D REMIND THEM OF HOW THE WORLD WORKS. HOW WE AREN'T SPECIAL, AND ARE ALL JUST SURVIVING BY LUCK.
THESE PROBLEMS ARE ALWAYS A PART OF US AND THE ONLY WAY WE FINALLY ESCAPE THEM IS WHEN WE STOP BREATHING.

DEPENDING ON THEIR SITUATION, I'M GOING TO ASSURE THEM TO HAVE HOPE IN THE CHANCE THAT THINGS "MAY" GET BETTER. WE ALWAYS HOPE FOR GOOD THINGS, BUT WE SHOULD ALWAYS EXPECT THE WORST UNPLEASANT THINGS BECAUSE THAT'S ALWAYS THE END OF ALL OF THESE THINGS WE'RE DOING HERE. NO MATTER WHAT WE DO, WE'RE DESTINED TO LOSE IN THE END.

greatbygrace:


What is TRUTH, what is absolute TRUTH?

finalboss:
I’ve often been in situations where a loved one is having a hard time or is suffering terribly. What do you tell them to comfort or encourage them, since it may be silly for us to say that we’re praying for them?
I’ll often say “I’m thinking about you so much today!” or “You are so important to me.” How do we show compassion and support without invoking divine help?

In your opinion, is it ever wise to say something like “You know that I don’t believe in a divine power, but I’ve said a prayer for you, just in case, because I will try anything to help you”??

Bojack:
Saying things like "it will get better" will do

CAPSLOCKED:
A LOT OF PEOPLE MAY HATE ME FOR THIS BUT IT'S THE ABSOLUTE TRUTH, AND I DON'T KNOW HOW TO PRETEND.
IN CASE THEY DON'T KNOW, I'D REMIND THEM OF HOW THE WORLD WORKS. HOW WE AREN'T SPECIAL, AND ARE ALL JUST SURVIVING BY LUCK.
THESE PROBLEMS ARE ALWAYS A PART OF US AND THE ONLY WAY WE FINALLY ESCAPE THEM IS WHEN WE STOP BREATHING.

DEPENDING ON THEIR SITUATION, I'M GOING TO ASSURE THEM TO HAVE HOPE IN THE CHANCE THAT THINGS "MAY" GET BETTER. WE ALWAYS HOPE FOR GOOD THINGS, BUT WE SHOULD ALWAYS EXPECT THE WORST UNPLEASANT THINGS BECAUSE THAT'S ALWAYS THE END OF ALL OF THESE THINGS WE'RE DOING HERE. NO MATTER WHAT WE DO, WE'RE DESTINED TO LOSE IN THE END.

MacCantStopMe:


That's lying.

LordReed:


Maybe but it is hope giving which is probably all you can do in such situations. The ability to tell imaginative stories is part of the reason we are able to manipulate our environment more successfully than other animal species.

MacCantStopMe:



I vehemently disagree. False hope is dangerous

LordReed:


It is not false to hope that things will get better nor is it false to express such hope.

MacCantStopMe:


My understanding from the op is someone who is suffering terminally. Someone who is going to die. heaven is a way of consoling the person.

Now, you as an atheist who knows heaven is not real, how do you comfort the dying person without false hope? Use false hope and you are no better than the religious charlatan....

LordReed:


This is the harsh reality religions attempt to shield us from, with their pretty stories of magic powers of a god or gods who care about what happens to men. Just like adults who realise there is no Father Xmas but still need to provide hope and motivation to the young who still believe, we who see reality for what it is are also in such a position of responsibility. Sometimes you want to scream at them for believing so childishly, other times you allow them dance their childish pantomimes.

LordReed:


Huh? There is nothing in the OP about terminal illness or death. Maybe read it again. In any case that is a different situation. Everyone knows death has a certain finality to even if they believe in an afterlife, the person will no longer exist in this world. I think assuring the person of your love is the best thing you can do at that point.

MacCantStopMe:



I vehemently disagree. False hope is dangerous

CAPSLOCKED:


IT IS NOT FALSE HOPE TO SAY THAT THINGS WILL GET BETTER. AFTERALL, THINGS MAY GET BETTER.

HOWEVER, IT IS FALSE HOPE TO BELIEVE THERE'S SOMETHING PROTECTING "YOU" FROM ABOVE AND MAKING REALLY WONDERFUL PLANS JUST FOR "YOU" AND YOUR FAMILY.

MacCantStopMe:



I was talking in terms of a terminal illness where it will not get better

CAPSLOCKED:


STEPHEN HAWKING WAS TOLD HE HAD JUST A COUPLE OF WEEKS TO LIVE. HE WENT ON TO LIVE MORE DECADES.

THINGS "MAY" GET BETTER IN EVERY SITUATION.

CAPSLOCKED:


WHEN I TALK LIKE THAT CHRISTIANS CALL ME SATAN'S AGENT, AND REJECT ME IN JESUS NAME. IT'S FUNNY.
THEY'LL KEEP DOING "IT'S NOT MY PORTION" UNTIL IT HAPPENS, THEN THEY SWITCH TO "GOD KNOWS BEST".
THE TRUTH ABOUT LIFE IS THAT THERE'S NO ESCAPING REALITY, AND AT THE END OF THE DAY REAL LIFE TAKES IT'S CAUSE IRRESPECTIVE OF WHATEVER YOU FEEL IN YOUR HEART WHEN YOU PRAY TO WHATEVER YOU BELIEVE. WE'RE NOT SPECIAL. GOOD AND BAD THINGS WILL KEEP HAPPENING..... UNTIL WE DIE.

LordReed:


Fact. Nothing hits harder than reality. This coronavirus situation ought to highlight that fact to them a little more, even though I know they'll still hide themselves and be claiming Jesus magic.

One thing I like about my current situation is I am not afraid of this fact you outlined GOOD AND BAD THINGS WILL KEEP HAPPENING..... UNTIL WE DIE. Somehow I even find it comforting, the fact that just like the weather change is inevitable. I eat my daily bread with rejoicing, savouring every single bite, even if it is garri without sugar I am drinking and I am content.

LordReed:


Fact. Nothing hits harder than reality. This coronavirus situation ought to highlight that fact to them a little more, even though I know they'll still hide themselves and be claiming Jesus magic.

One thing I like about my current situation is I am not afraid of this fact you outlined GOOD AND BAD THINGS WILL KEEP HAPPENING..... UNTIL WE DIE. Somehow I even find it comforting, the fact that just like the weather change is inevitable. I eat my daily bread with rejoicing, savouring every single bite, even if it is garri without sugar I am drinking and I am content.

MacCantStopMe:



You sound like a mad man. I am an atheist myself.

Reality is often depressing and sober. Happiness is fleeting when you know it will all end...

finalboss:
I’ve often been in situations where a loved one is having a hard time or is suffering terribly. What do you tell them to comfort or encourage them, since it may be silly for us to say that we’re praying for them?
I’ll often say “I’m thinking about you so much today!” or “You are so important to me.” How do we show compassion and support without invoking divine help?

In your opinion, is it ever wise to say something like “You know that I don’t believe in a divine power, but I’ve said a prayer for you, just in case, because I will try anything to help you”??

CAPSLOCKED:
A LOT OF PEOPLE MAY HATE ME FOR THIS BUT IT'S THE ABSOLUTE TRUTH, AND I DON'T KNOW HOW TO PRETEND.
IN CASE THEY DON'T KNOW, I'D REMIND THEM OF HOW THE WORLD WORKS. HOW WE AREN'T SPECIAL, AND ARE ALL JUST SURVIVING BY LUCK.
THESE PROBLEMS ARE ALWAYS A PART OF US AND THE ONLY WAY WE FINALLY ESCAPE THEM IS WHEN WE STOP BREATHING.

DEPENDING ON THEIR SITUATION, I'M GOING TO ASSURE THEM TO HAVE HOPE IN THE CHANCE THAT THINGS "MAY" GET BETTER. WE ALWAYS HOPE FOR GOOD THINGS, BUT WE SHOULD ALWAYS EXPECT THE WORST UNPLEASANT THINGS BECAUSE THAT'S ALWAYS THE END OF ALL OF THESE THINGS WE'RE DOING HERE. NO MATTER WHAT WE DO, WE'RE DESTINED TO LOSE IN THE END.

emmaodet:

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm At the bolded, very touching.