Which I know it is, I live there. Why do most people still get their children Christened?
I'm expecting my first child now and hubby wants she/he christening (it doesnt bother me) as its a family tradition. Do you think thats the only reason people have it done?
I know from my point of view it makes life easier in the long run, say the child grows up and wants to get married in a church or be a God-Parent etc, they need to have been Christened and it saves them going through the humiliation of having it done as adults!
Just wondering what others thought on the subject.
2006-11-23 02:41:54 · 14 answers · asked by Claire O 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Forgot to say, or could it just be that its a good enough excuse for a party as any other reason?
2006-11-23 02:42:50 · update #1
Little Briatian. I know there are different religions in different area's but religious people in the UK only count for somewhere between 22 and 35% of the population (thats not to say the rest are atheist they just dont believe in a God as described by most religions).
And actually France is also one of the least religious countries in Europe, along with Sweden, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Norway etc.
So yeah to the other person that gave Spain and Italy as an example you're right those two countries along with a couple of others are quite religious, but over all more than half the population in Europe as a whole is athiest/ or at least doesnt believe in a God!
2006-11-23 03:02:59 · update #2
My sister had to have her kid Christened three times, the first two times didn't take.
2006-11-23 02:45:32 · answer #1 · answered by iknowtruthismine 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You are right. I have to offer a corrective about Marbledog's magnificent statistics. The idea that Britain is 71% Christian is hilarious. We are, thankfully, a godless nation. There is a world of difference between people who call themselves Christian and those who put "C of E" in the box marked Religion on the census. Church attendance in Britain is about 8%, and they are mostly over 50 years of age. It's not true to say that Britain is mostly atheist, but it would be true to say it's mostly secular. I couldn't tell you about other European countries, but don't detect the widespread observance that characterizes America. It just goes to show what the CIA knows.
Anyway, to answer your question, I think it's mostly traditional. I don't think it makes any difference whether you've been baptized into the church or not, that you can get married in a church or be a godparent. For myself, as an atheist married to an atheist Jew, our children were neither christened nor (for our son) brissed. Religious practices should, in my view mean something. But I don't wish to stop anyone doing what they like that does no harm.
Good luck with your baby.
2006-11-23 12:46:12 · answer #2 · answered by Bad Liberal 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Europeans are less and less active members of their religion. Mass attendence is falling all over the continent. This does not equate to being atheist. Most Europeans believe in God and still hold onto the religions they were brought up on.
2006-11-24 06:51:23 · answer #3 · answered by eorpach_agus_eireannach 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah I would expect most people do it out of 1) Habit and 2) To show off your kid and 3) All families love an excuse to get together and party..especially if it is for a baby
2006-11-23 10:45:47 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure where you're getting these numbers from.
From the CIA world factbook entry for the United Kingdom:
Christian (Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist) 71.6%, Muslim 2.7%, Hindu 1%, other 1.6%, unspecified or none 23.1% (2001 census)
Same source for France:
Roman Catholic 83%-88%, Protestant 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim 5%-10%, unaffiliated 4%
The overwhelming majority of Europeans are religious.
2006-11-23 11:41:13 · answer #5 · answered by marbledog 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I live in europe and believe it isn't all atheist. depends on where you live in europe. if it is the UK than there's a mix of different religions whether it be christians, muslims, hindus, sikhs etc.
some places do have a lot of atheist people but others don't such as ireland which is full of christians. France is pretty religious aswell
2006-11-23 10:53:35 · answer #6 · answered by HJ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes! the biggest religion in Europe right now is no religion
Most people seem to take the easy path in life or what they perceive is the easy path but it is not always the right way
2006-11-23 14:02:17 · answer #7 · answered by righteous992003 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Where do you get the false impression that Europe is mainly atheist.
Countries like Italy & Spain are very religious
2006-11-23 10:46:48 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
We couldn't give a smeg about religion these days but old traditions die hard.
2006-11-23 10:44:05 · answer #9 · answered by ? 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Claire,
This is a human creation - no where in the Bible is it taught. If humans created it - how correct can it be?
2006-11-23 10:46:18 · answer #10 · answered by Gladiator 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋