This is something that really bothers me. It’s always supposed to be the non-believer that buckles under to the believer. It gives them comfort. Your Dad was a non-believer and for once your brother should respect that. I’m getting to the age of facing my morality and have little patience for folks that just flat don’t respect my right to not believe. When I go they can give condolences to my wife and daughter and still respect the fact that I didn’t believe in their god. I won’t know the difference but it is just cruel to push unwanted beliefs at a time of grief on relatives.

My dad's got a terminal illness at only 60 and is about to go into hospice. He was raised Catholic, and raised my brothers and I Catholic as well. I lost my faith around 15-16, and slowly brought my whole family into the light with me over the next five or so years.

It's made dad and I's relationship better, especially as things near the end, having a common perspective on death. It's probably harder, knowing I'll never see him again rather than getting to think we'll meet once more in the afterlife, but it also makes these last weeks we spend together more meaningful. We can talk frankly about things like donating his body to science which is something the extended Catholic family would likely be aghast at. Or give each other wry looks at all the thoughts and prayers cards he gets.

I hope you'll be able to talk sense into your brother one day. A shared secular view of the universe does wonders for a relationship.

Guess it was important to your brother-more important for survivors of the patients family usually.

I wouldn't worship any god that would send one of my loved ones to hell, for eternity, just because they didn't see any evidence to support that so called god's existence.
I'd have to be a complete narcissist to enjoy the pleasures of Heaven, while knowing that my loved ones are burning in Hell. That's just brutal nonsense!

Sorry for your loss...It's so sad that many of our family members D ont realize we were indoctrinated at such an early age....I hope he opens his eyes and realizes that he should enjoy the little time he has on this rock ...

My sister's the same way. I think I understand your frustration with this. If your Dad was not a believer , then he would not believe in sin either, or going to "meet his maker". He likely died more at peace than many who wallow in guilt right up to their end !

Condolences on your loss ...

Your brother has allowed his religious delusions to alter his understanding of reality.
The reality was that your father wasn't a believer.
Sorry for your losses, both of them.