I was christened as a child but my husband was not. I like the idea of having godparents so that if anything happens to my parents they look after me, my husband says that if anything happened the family would look after you anyway.
I would like to christen our children,but he's against it. We are not religious people in any way, but he is more against then for (he refused to get married in a church because he said if there is a god, he doesnt believe in him and getting married in a church would be like rubbing it in his face!).
So I would like peoples thoughts on christening, if its a good thing to do, or just a waste of time.
2006-08-09 00:34:24 · 13 answers · asked by Spacysam 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
This is a very important question.
My view is that it does no harm to Christen your children.
I know that it is a very popular argument that parents should leave it to their children to decide. But I'm not sure how well this argument is thought through. To me, this argument is partly a cop out. Parents are there to guide their children. I think that Christenings are a form of guidance. The baby is too little to make the choice for themselves.A christening is a way of looking after your child until they are old enough to make the decision.
I believe that a person does not become a Christian because they are christened. Becoming a Christian - or any other life decision - is something the person chooses for themselves when they are older.
I was christened as a baby, and I'm glad I was. I am not a practising Christian. But it feels good to have had this start in life. There was a sense of belonging which feels good, even though I don't go to church.
I chose to christen my sons. Again, neither of them have beome Christians - although that is an option for them if they want to later in life. One of their godmothers has been especially good, and it has enriched their lives that this person has a connection to them, even though she is not a blood relative. I know this could happen anyway - but it worked out really well for us.
I am glad I was christened. It IS lovely to have god-parents. Of course the family will look after the children if something happened to the parents. But it's lovely for the children to have a designated adult to be there for them too. And it is lovley for the adults chosen as godparent. I'm a god parent and I feel very honoured.
I don't feel that we have to interpret a Christening in a purely literal sense. If you are a strong Christian family, then of course it has a particular meaning for you. But to me, the christening can be a way of welcoming your baby into the community. It's a special ritual.
I hope that you and your husband come to a decision that feels right for both of you.
2006-08-09 01:01:35 · answer #1 · answered by Suzita 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A christening is a non secular ingredient it somewhat is the removing of the unique sin and to make the toddler a christian. If u do no longer trruly have faith in that then u shouldn't christen the toddler. even nevertheless this does not advise that u cant make a occasion invite each and every of the kin and rejoice the welcoming of a clean kin member. basically restoration a date whilst the two u and the toddler sense ok and invite each and every physique over. i replaced into christened even nevertheless none of my parents unquestionably circulate to church and it somewhat is totally stupid. In my united states of america we've a convention the place the toddler is presented with countless gadgets which symbolise a commerce and that's mentioned that in spite of the toddler options first would be the commerce he she would be able to decide on later on. I picked a needle artwork kit and am ineffective with needlework yet howdy that's exciting.
2016-09-29 02:06:16 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I firmly believe that children are sanctified until they have a comprehension and are able to understand wat is right and wrong. Christening sanctifies children. I dont believe that you must do it but also believe that there is nothing wrong with it. If you husband doesnt believe in it i am not sure if you would want to go ahead without him being there. When you christen your child you promise to bring the child up in a christian manner. You can still make that committment between you and God, it is just at a chritening you are doing it infront of witnesses. Also you dont have to do it in a church, you can ask a minister if he will do it at home in front of close friends and family.
2006-08-09 00:42:43 · answer #3 · answered by MissBehave 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My girlfriend and I are in EXACTLY the same situation. I don't believe in god and therefore think its all a waste of time. My girlfriend isn't religious but wants to get married in a church and have our kids christened. I would say if you didn't get married in a church because your husband didnt want to then its only fair the kids are christened. Its the fairest compromise you can make.
2006-08-09 00:42:39 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You've already said you're not religious so what's the point? I totally agree with your husband - your children will never be alone, there will always be family and friends for them should anything unfortunate happen to you.
What about a naming ceremony? You could still nominate someone to be role models for your children. It would be exactly the same but without the unnecessary (and totally out of date) religion.
My views are slightly tainted because my husband and I wanted to get married in a church but the church refused to marry us because my husband has been married before. I took the decision that if my husband and I weren't good enough for the church, then they certainly weren't getting their hands on my children!
2006-08-09 00:38:29 · answer #5 · answered by Away With The Fairies 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i am Church of England and my husband is no religion. we had the same talk when my son was born. i am not religious even though i am Christened. i just told him (and the church) that i want my children to be Christened so that when they are older, if they want to start being religious then they already have this to start them off in life. plus it also a celebration of the baby.
2006-08-09 00:41:16 · answer #6 · answered by kayfromcov 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you are Christians, or would like your child to be brought up a Christian, then have it christened!
You say you are not a Christian, neither is your husband. Why then do you want your child to be one? A christening ceremony is supposed to welcome a child into the Church, so you should then be prepared to continue its religious education beyond the christening, take it to church every week etc.
2006-08-09 01:01:07 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why Christen your children if you're not religious? Many people who say the are non-Christians (it's the thing to do isn't it?) hedge their bets with their kids. It's like taking out an insurance policy. I don't believe in it, but what if it's true? Better have the kids done anyway.
2006-08-09 00:52:45 · answer #8 · answered by cymry3jones 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
don't get your children christianized
i believe the children should have a choice in choosing their own religion
as for your husband, i think getting married in a church is okay because that's how people done in regardless of christian or not..it's just traditional western marriage
however, it seems like he's so against it, try saying that it's okay if he doesn't believe, but he has got to accept the fact that you believe and support you cause it really seems like you believe in this
however, DON'T christian your children
2006-08-09 00:44:13 · answer #9 · answered by Rock 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if u believe and want to do it then ur husband should respect that and come to a comprise with you.u dont have to go for the whole religious thing these days.ring ur local church and they will inform you on what you can do
2006-08-09 00:41:51 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋