Is it okay for you to christen your child if you do not go to church?

Question

I wish to christen my son for a number of reasons even though I do not attend church. I have been Christened myself and I do believe and pray regularly but I feel that some people may think I am hypocritical.

Answer 1

Well I say go for it! I for one think that you don't have to attend church to be a christen and to be spiritual. I'm not sure if a church would recognized the christened child as being christened, but you would know, the child would know and god would know. I think that's the most important thing anyways. Kudos to you for being yourself and not letting society tell you how to love god.

Answer 2

It is allowed, but often priests like to see evidence of attendance and a intention to bring said child up in the chosen church - christening isn't about celebrating the birth or giving a name as many think ( a child already possesses a name from Day 1) but about welcoming the child to the church, if you don't intend to pursue a church going life afterwards then what IS the point?

Answer 3

I have to wonder what the motivation is. Are these people nudists? Some people are more free with their body than others. Be it a bio father, or a step father, either way, it's going to lead to questions from the child that may or may not be easily answered. I'm not that big of a prude. I doubt I'd have a cow over this. It's hard to say with out seeing it personally, where I could assess the situation and decide if I thought the guy was simply at ease with his body, or was truly a perv. What is his motivation? Motivation is everything. Is it innocent? Or is he some perv nut job? Edit: I see what you're saying. So the guy's not a perv, and your ex is alittle more "free" than you are. This isn't going to damage your children. If anything, their being so free, could help them in the long run, as they'll learn to be accepting of their bodies, and have less hang ups as a result. On the other hand, sleeping nude with small kids in the house is just "Ew!". What happens when little Johnny has a nightmare and climbs in to bed with ya? Not cool. I don't care if you're bio, step, or the alien that snuck in for some midnight experimentation on the stupid humans... put some clothes on! As to the bathroom, that's why that room has a door. It's not the family room for a reason. Again, major ick. I realize that some times kids walk in on you, but, that's what the lock is for. As for me, I probably wouldn't sweat this. Naked is naked no matter the blood relation or lack there of. However there needs to be boundaries at some point. It's up to y'all to figure those out.

Answer 4

Christening is a way of welcoming a new member into the Christian community. If you feel that you are part of that community, find a church that agrees with you and get your son Christened. If you don't, you'll need to think long and hard about what it is you're trying to achieve.

Answer 5

I guess it's up to you - but the one thing that bugs me with people (not necessarily you as I don't know you personally) - they will call Christians hypocrites, never attend church and then go and have their child christened in one - now THAT'S hypocracy - so make sure you don't do that!

You HAVE to make sure your motives are clear and you must understand, whatever the vicar/priest says - your child NEVER becomes a Christian by the act of christening - it's only by choosing to follow Jesus later on that they become one! (read John 3)!

Answer 6

Of course it these days people only do it because it's expected of them, what you should do is allow the child to make up it's own mind. I had children done I wish I had not bothered as it was just a money making thing, I believe there were about 6 done at the same time. You don't need to go to church to believe in God, you can pray anywhere any time, and never mind what others say, Just remember to tell your children about God, and NOT religion, religion is man made and made to control man kind, taking God's word and using it in the wrong way, I mean how can anybody believe that God what's us to kill, murder in his name.
If you want to go ahead with this then do so, but just remember to tell your children the truth when they are old enough to understand, and then let them decide.

Love & Peace

Answer 7

I| was Christened, and apart from their wedding and other people's Christenings and weddings etc, my parents never went, and never do go to Church. I don't either. It's become a tradition, rather than something to do specifically with God. My opinion anyway. I don't think you're hypocritical

Answer 8

It depends what you think Christening is.
The word “christen” comes from English culture and isn’t properly defined in the modern day. It obviously derives from the word “Christ”, and means “to bring to Christ”. It is usually used about infants rather than adults.

Personally I think that children should be allowed to choose which belief that follow. You can teach your child from birth the way he should go so that when he is grown he will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6

Jesus Loves You

Answer 9

don't worry about other people, christening your child might even encourage you to attend church more. remember jesus said not to keep even the littlest children from him, he said this a few times so i encourage to take and christen your child,it is in your childs and your best interest. you have faith and your faith is letting you know it is time to christen your wonderful blessing of a child. i hope you both have wonderful days together and many blessings, may god love and keep your family.

Answer 10

I christened my son even though I don't go to church. I see it as a tradition.
I don't think you should worry about what people might think. If you want to do it, do it!
Good luck! :)