When on the brink of death, why do nonbelievers believe that GOD & hell is real?

Prove it.

Are you sure they do? How many people have you been with at the moment of death, and who have said they suddenly believe in God and Hell?

This sounds like a self-gratifying belief held by people who already believe in God and a Lake of Unquenchable Fire.

Oh, good grief. Why not just bring up the Darwin recanting evolution urban legend while you are at it?

Edit: I see Martin, about 11 answers down from here, has inadvertently brought up another famous conversion myth: Voltaire!

"Is it even true that atheists have experience deathbed conversions? It is surely true that this has happened on occasions, here and there. The point which needs to be emphasized, however, is that this is a possibility because of sheer statistics, not because of any reliable or certain reports of it happening or because atheism itself is inherently weak and uncertain. When pressed for examples, a person might offer famous cases like Voltaire, Thomas Paine, Robert Ingersoll or Charles Darwin. Unfortunately, the stories about their conversions are exaggerations at best and outright fabrications at worst."

They don't. That is something that was completely made up by Christians to tell to each other so they can pat themselves on the back and feel superior. Of course, no atheists were consulted in the invention of that particular rumor. If you don't believe me, I can put you in touch with my cousin, who is an oncologist. She's been in the presence of hundreds of people on their deathbeds. She's a devout Christian, but she'll tell you that it's complete nonsense. She told me that she's only seen it happen maybe once or twice, but on the same note, she's also seen Christians turn around and say that they no longer believe in God due to the suffering they're going through. People on their deathbeds in excruciating pain will sometimes say things that have no bearing on who the person really is.

There's a lot of nonsense that Christians completely make up about atheists. It's pretty pathetic that they feel they need to MAKE STUFF UP to make themselves look good, if you ask me.

You generalize - you could hardly know that every non-christian does this.

I am an atheist, I have been on the brink of death and never once did I call out to the christian deity as it is not real. You'll find that more often than not we do not return to ~fantasy~ at the end of our lives.. this is merely just something that some christians like to say to justify their own beliefs and bigotry.

That's interesting, I had a near death experience and did not see God, Satan, or any such thing. I did see another realm that was pleasant.

I get so tired of Christians and their bad puns..."And then Bobby saw the Devil and fire all around him, and KNEW he messed up!"

or

"And then, the Buddha statue started to float, and that's when John knew Buddhism was evil!"

All their stories are right from a Chick Tract.

I would say it is because they are no longer in no position to doubt or confirm either side of it. If they aren't sure, they figure it is best to pray for God to save them to prevent them from seeing the possible lake of unquenchable fire. Fear is a big motivating factor too.

Do they?? What statistics or instances can you show of this actually happening? I suspect that you are only repeating what you have heard a preacher or someone in church testify to. And that is okay but your statement would have more credibility if you were able to give statistical evidence of this occurance. You must understand that if you want to convince an Atheist of this, you would have to have proof. Blessings.

Your question says more about your lack of faith then there's.

If you really believed other peoples disbelief would not threaten you. Your fear is that they are correct so you have to argue and fight with them. If your faith was pure there would be no need for debate. Your life and your actions would be your preaching not your words. If they wanted what you had they would do what you do. However your faith is as lacking as there's by the evidence of your questions.

Maybe because their spirit is on the brink of Hell and it is transmitting warning signals to their soul (mind, emotion, will) so that they get one last chance to turn to Jesus and be saved before they die.

Francois Voltaire, the noted French philosopher, once stated, "In twenty years, Christianity will be no more. My single hand shall destroy the edifice it took twelve apostles to rear." Yet when he faced death he cried, "I am abandoned by God and man!" Voltaire's doctor expressed astonishment at the emotional torment his patient experienced before passing into eternity.

In contrast, the great evangelist John Wesley declared on his deathbed, "The best of all is, God is with me!" He finished his pilgrimage satisfied and content to be in the presence of his Lord.

Says who?

Your dopey statement is groundless. Cite one example where an atheist has gibbered like a "believer".