Assignment

Respond to the following scenario:

Your best friend approaches you and asks for advice:

Seems his father-in law has been diagnosed with terminal cancer and has only a few weeks to live.

His dying wish is that your friend--a life-long atheist-convert to his religion so he can die happy.

The father-in-law then reveals-- as an inducement--he will add your friend and spouse to his will--as both were currently not included -because he was unhappy his child married an atheist.

Being added to the will would be worth over $1M to your friend and their spouse.

But your friend is so opposed to organized religion that your friend immediately told their spouse they would never convert to any religion, regardless of the circumstances (like making the old father-in law happy, etc) or whether or not there was a windfall of money involved.

Turns out your friend's spouse then said to him ..."lie to him...say you will convert just let him die a happy person".

Your friend then tells their spouse that it's unethical to lie about converting to a religion--even to make the dying man happy.

Then your friend's spouse adds a new wrinkle.....they are about to lose $1M from a business investment that is collapsing...and that they really do need the $1M inheritance that would soon occur.

Your friend asks you--what should I do?

As a devout atheist they reiterate they would never follow through and convert to any religion--but should they lie to make the dying man happy and also pick up the $1M they need?

Especially since their spouse was pressuring them to do so?

What do you recommend to your friend?