Do you think it is morally wrong to have a godparent for your child that is not of your belief system?

Question

I am a god parent to four children - my two nieces whom are being raised Presbyterian, my best friend's son whom is being raised Congregationalist and another good friends daughter who is being raised Roman Catholic. Of the four, if something should ever happen to my brother & sister in law I would be raising his children. Now, my being atheist isn't a problem for my brother because he knows that I would always honor his wishes in what belief system he wanted his children raised in because I love and respect him.

What are your thoughts and opinions on this?

nnedi - If I had been able to have children my brother and his wife would have been the godparents to my children.

Answer 1

I'ma godparent to my brother's daughter and they’re Christian/Catholic. My brother had a concern with his first child and didn’t make me the godfather but now, after they saw my interactions and how I was with my nephew, they made me godparent of my niece. They know that I'm not Christian (more atheistic than anything else) but they also know that I never interfere with any policies or beliefs related to discipline or religious instruction when it comes to their children. They see me listening to them and they know I won’t impose my identity as an ‘atheist’ (or whatever) and won’t use their kids as props for my ego. They see how I really value my niece and nephew and how much I love them – and that I don’t care about my own beliefs or opinions when it comes to them. I don’t do the ‘look at me, I’m a know-it-all atheist here to teach the ignorant fundamentalists’ and they see that. I do fail many times when it comes to reining in my ego with adults but I guess my brother sees that and knows I’m human and that I’m trying and at least willing to listen to him and others after my self-righteous, smug ego indulgence is over. I’ve done enough spiritual mind training to at least rise from the level of ‘complete asshole’ to ‘asshole who is a work-in-progress’.

Answer 2

I think it' can be sacreligious, but not always.

My younger brother is a godfather, and he's an atheist. How is he supossed to uphold the duties of a godparent if he doesn't believe in God?
I, on the other hand, was raised Roman Catholic, and although i left the religion a long time ago, I still have a strong faith. I'm quite positive i could do a better job than my brother, should anyone ask me to.

Answer 3

No, I don't think it is morally wrong. But isn't the whole point of having a godparent to ensure that the children are raised in the faith of the parents should something happen to them??? If you are all ok with the situation, I see no problem.

Answer 4

I think a godparent should be very carefully chosen since your child's very soul could be at stake if the wrong person reared that child and instilled the wrong things in that young mind. I think where one person professing to be an atheist would be totally inappropriate, another may be suitable simply for who they are. So it all really depends on you. It sounds to me like you are a very open minded, honest person and would try to honor the parents wishes, who knows in doing so you may become enlightened. And no, I am not trying to preach to you. I am a christian, but I am not prejudiced against you or anyone else. Unlike some christians who want to preach at you, I will simply say I love you and even though you may not believe in him, I will ask his blessings upon you.

Answer 5

i never much cared for that term, but i too am in the same situation. (godparent) if put in that position, i too, would respect the wishes in the area of beliefs, but more importantly, raise them the best i could. i was raised to believe one thing, and when i was old enough, i ultimately made up my own mind about my beliefs. with that in mind, i would not cram religion down someones throat, but i would try to honor the parents wishes up to that point and do not see any moral issues. bottom line...if this duty is placed on you, it is because you are respected to begin with.

Answer 6

I would assume you would pick a god parent who is your religion because they purpose original I thought was for them to help riase your child in their beliefs. They are their spiritual mentors so I would assume you'd pick someone who had your beliefs. But now a days its more of just an honor to pick someone so their religion may not matter. So no its not wrong.

Answer 7

i think as long as u love god that is the only thing that really matters.....we all have are own faiths...that is what this country is built on....and if anything happens 2 any of them maybe u could rotate Church's one week ur one week there's after all i thought knowledge is power so a well round spiritual back round would be gr8 just think how gr8 it would be not only 2 have one faith but 2...long as u have a open mind about it....good luck and i think it is gr8 u would worry about....ur godchildren beliefs

Answer 8

the entire point of a God parent is to make sure the child gets a proper religious education in their Faith.
It's a commitment - a curious one for you because you're an atheist - but if these people entrusted you with that they saw things in your character that merited such an important role.
please make sure you don't overprejudice the child in atheist thinking if they came to you for advice about God.
very interesting situation and question.

Answer 9

I don't think it's morally wrong, but I personally would choose someone w/ the same beliefs as my own.

Answer 10

u should do like ur brother.if anything should happen to u, u should also be able to trust someone that will respect ur wishes just like u will respect ur brother's so i think there is nothing wrong with intrusting ur child with someone whom u trust as long as u trust him or her.