What do you do when you don't believe in God and your family is very religious about a baptism?

Question

I am afraid my family will be upset and most of them don't know about my non-beliefs and I think my child should be able to decide on it's own. What should i do??

Answer 1

Your child=your decision.

I come from a catholic family, however, I am spiritual, not religious and if anything, follow more Hindu and Buddhist beliefs. I am not getting my son baptized. Instead, I will teach him about all faiths ( I am an avid reader of religions) and he can chose what he feels his calling is, be it Islam, Judaism, whatever.

Each person's path to God ( even if you don't believe, it's still your path) is their own. Your family will have to respect your views.

Answer 2

For one, it does'nt matter what your family thinks it's your choice you created this child and if you don't believe than you don't believe and if they care enough they will respect your decision. I would do the same, a child should have the right to decide what religion the wish to follow when they are old enough. I think you just need to let your family know what you want hey may be upset but you're raising that child and it's your decision.

Answer 3

It is your child you get to make the decision on what to do. But remember while raising the child if they choose a religious life be open to it.

I was raised with no religion and as I got older I wanted to explore into it, but my mom also shot me down because of it and made remarks about it. So I never really did anything about it and became a closet believer. It wasn't until I met my husband that I stood up to my mom and took on a religious life, she still makes jokes and says nasty things about religion, but I ingore them or fight her back on them.

Trust in your heart with what you feel is right and trust in your child's too.

Answer 4

compramise.

have a non- religious naming ceremony for your child at home. have family/friends round to 'offically' introduce your new baby. you could even do it alternative and ask people to give 'gifts/ blessings' of heath, virtue and honesty to your child instead of god parents etc
leave baptism until hes old enough to make his own mind up.

this is my plan my family is catholic and church of england christian and partners family are also differnt

we suggest this to them and they thought it was a good idea. my granparent are considering planting a tree that will grow and mature as m baby does.

Answer 5

It's your child. Your family is going to have to understand and accept that. My family is sort of the same way. My grandma calls every Sunday telling me to take the kids to church. I just say "okay Grandma, not this Sunday though." It has to be your decision.

Answer 6

I told my husbands family that I will not be baptizing our daughter nor any future children. I do not feel it is my right to choose for them. They can decide for themselves when they're older. Just stick to your guns because it's your baby and they should respect your decision.

Answer 7

I am the daughter of a pastor and I feel that you make your own might about what you believe. So I feel you should just live your life the way you choose your parents will learn to accept it because in god their is acceptance.