I would have gone through the motions to comfort her had she asked. She wasn't religious though and didn't.

I am nursing assistant in facilities so I have prayed with many people nearing death and just on regular days. It isn't really about me and it helps them feel better.

Countless people do it every Sunday in church. Some people go for family and friends. Others desperately WANT to believe...but don't.

Interesting question. My mother isn't likely to ask such a thing -- she knows where I stand on God -- but, if she did, sure, I'd go through the motions.

I could say the words but they would have no meaning, to me at least, so if it gave someone solace why not

Since she knew my viewpoint on God she would not have asked even though I was raised a good Catholic.

WOW an amazing number of comments ,and the variety is interesting . Both my parents have died , neither would have asked either way , had I been bedside when they died . So it's a question I wouldn't have to deal with .

In two simple and succinct words, No chance.

Meaningless words/promises, unless you are on Judge Judy, are meaningless.

No of course not. She's an atheist too

Yes of course. My mother has always been a kind, generous, loving human being. Allowing her pass in peace is the very least I could do for her.

Sure , who cares . Dying parent or anyone worthing . I don't care at all if I pretend to pray to make them happy . If I have to lie that " oh yes I accept Jesus just for u " insert name ", who cares ! What's gonna happen man , Jesus gonna come next day and ask for my promise or something ? I give a rats ass about such details . If a favorite human is about to expire and asking me for comfort , no problem . Let the human go peacefully . It does not matter in the big picture ! My integrity will not be damaged at least to my face on the mirror .
I have patients that ask me to pray w them b4 surgery . Or family members who ask me to pray w them while patient at OR . I have never refused . This is not the time to say " morons ". This is the time to say " I understand , I am here for u ". In ways that THEY feel is important .
Man , I have stood there w my head low thinking what's next on my list to do or what do I have to do when I get home , and yes , it made the patient feel good and made the families feel support . That's all I care . Rest are not important on a time of crisis .

This really happened in James Joyce's situation and he carried guilt with him over it all his life. It wasn't about actually accepting Christ in her presence, it was about whether he should pretend to or not. I think the question is really 'should you hold to your principles no matter what' or are principles general guidelines that are not appropriate, or helpful, in some circumstances.

No. A loving mother would never ask her child to do something like this.

No.

As both my parents were atheists it was never going to happen in my case, however as this is a purely hypothetical question anyway, I will say yes. If my mother had truly believed and I had the power to make her last minutes happy, then why would not do so. It would cost me nothing to act out this fantasy, it would change nothing except making my mother happy, it would be an act of love.

I'd tell her I had done it, I would close my eyes while she prayed, etc.
It is too late for her to see sense, and she is terminally ill, so at this point what is the harm in indulging her fantasy.
I sang along at my mothers funeral to avoid upsetting my father and causing a scene.
If the inquisition came back and it was renounce atheism or be tortured I would say so, it would mean nothing and leave me alive and well to undermine from the inside.
It's a bloody stupid thought experiment, but that is my answer.

No.

Of course, send her off in peace. It's a rare thing now a days that used to be called common sense

I would pretend. I had to bow my head many times to give thanks to the sky Daddy. Can't hurt anything to play with somebody's imaginary friend for a little while.

My mother remained her abusive, histrionic, narcissistic self on her deathbed. Her actual last words were abuse, hurled at me.
But I would not have prayed etc. Had she asked, I’d have found someone to pray with her while I went out of the room.

Never. Never. Never.

Let's just reverse this a minute and a dying Atheist mother insisted her child renounce their god.

Yeah. That's not going to happen.

Atheists are not insane.

The one and only time I heard my Mum swear was when she was dying. She told a vicar to piss off when he asked her if he could pray with her. I seriously couldn't imagine that. My Mum would never have asked me to lie to her. Saying that, if it were someone else yeah why not? Little white lies don't hurt anyone.

I would lie to her. The same way I'd bend the truth for a dying child or someone who just stepped on a mine and blew his legs off.

No of course not. How controlling of her. What a lousy relationship she had with her child.

Of course! What's life? Put a smile on her face and let her heart rest in peace .