Godparent????

Question

What the heck is a Godparent?

Now that I know what a Godparent is, do u think its wrong to have never met your god parent 4 13v years?

Answer 1

A god parent is traditionally someone who will help a child with their spiritual path - picked by the parents, of course. Some people will put in their will that the god parents should take care of the kids if anything happens to the parents. Sometimes god parents are named simply to honor someone in the family and it really doesn't mean anything - or it gives a special sibling a great way to be more to a child than just an aunt or uncle.

God parents can be anything you want. I try not to let the limitations of others affect the way I want to do things in my life or for my kids - but I have found that very often friends don't make the best choice. Family is always with you and friends sometimes lack the understanding to really commit to a child. We named god parents at our naming ceremony and we had a friend back out a few years later - consequently my oldest child has 2 god mothers, 1 from each of our faiths.

Peace!

Answer 2

When a child is baptized, the parents choose godparents for the child. First, they are sponsoring the child for baptism, witness and approve the baptism. Next, they are to help ensure the child's religious upbringing. Often there is no real need to act here, as the parents take care of matters. But there is an obligation to support the child in growing up as a Christian.
Some cultures may attach other obligations to the godparent, but these are cultural not religious. If the child belongs to a different culture, ask about this.

Answer 3

Mostly, I think, in the case of infant baptism the parents have other adults (usually close relatives or very good friends) who stand with them and, together with them, make th epromises on behalf of the infant. The "godparents" are to help train up the child in the way he/she should go so that when she/he comes "of age" he/she can confirm the promises made on their behalf. Especially if something were to happen to the parents, then the godparents should be able to assume responsibility.

Also, I think frequently "godparents' take a special interest in the child,r emembering them with gifts, etc. and perhaps having them to their place for some facation time, etc. Maybe something like grandparents but especially focus on the promises made to God.

Probably a common term in the Anglican (Protestant Episcopal) and maybe R.C. churches.

You could try googling:
http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLC,GGLC:1969-53,GGLC:en&q=definition%3a+godparents

Answer 4

When a child is christened, it is customary for the parents to name a godmother and a godfather. These are people who will be responsible for the child if anything happens to the parents. In fact, it is the godparents who hold the child during the christening ceremony, not the parents, to symbolize their willingness to care for the child both physically, and to rear it in the precepts of the parents' religion.
Today, godparent is largely an honorary position, but a century ago it was quite viable.

Answer 5

a godparent is for christians only and its when a baby gets christianended there is a godmother and godfather. if something happens to the parents, the godparents take on the role of the parent.