baptism and godparents ?

Question

I don't have reliogeous believes I believe it is hypercritical for me to baptise my child.My mother in law disagrees and her reasons for wanting to baptise my child is tradition.She isn't a true believer her self as well.she says that is just to asign god parents. (i don't agree) there isn't a way I can asign god parents with out being a hypercrit.My mother in law says she is going to bring her their with out my permission. Can she do that?I believe that my daughter should have the right to choose what religion is most conviniet to her and will respect her descision. As for now i just want her to believe in her self.How can i give an impoertance like godparentish to 2 people?

I don't want to do it,and I won't. But i would like too people who have been there for me and her dad have a special part in my daughters life.Some one she can trust and go to when she doubts her self and she feels for some reason or another can't come to her parents.

I think it is ironic that i ask a question about baptism and if my mother in law can baptise my child with out my permision and if i can give an importance to too people with out a baptism. and i have SOME reliogious people forsing their believes on me in stead of answering my qst.
(you aren't suppose to judge me you are suppost to guide me)and respect. you see i want 2 people to be a good influence and guide my daughter as well.I just don't believe religion is the right answer for my daughter right now. oh wow we want the same things i just want to keep my honnesty.(oh i am not the spawn of the devil)

Answer 1

After reading this, I'm not too sure if you want to baptize your child or not...I'm a little confused. But I'll answer as best as I can. It sounds to me like your mother in law is Catholic, and to be clear, it is not her right to baptize your child. You made that child and gave birth to it, and no one makes decisions for the child but the parents. So, if your mother in law is Catholic, then she feels it's critical to baptize your child so that he/she will go to Heaven if she dies. However, in Baptist churches, for example, children are simply welcomed to the church at this age, then baptized when they are old enough to understand why they are getting baptized. You do not have to baptize your child to assign godparents. The traditional idea of godparents says that they are supposed to be religious figures for your child, typically a married couple, and they would take care of your child if you were to pass on. But today, it can simply be two people that you feel would be a positive influence in his/her life, and they don't even have to be a couple. I hope this helps. Don't let other people tell you what to do...you are the mother!!!!!

Answer 2

You should stand up to your mother in law. Is this your first baby? Do not set the precedent that you can be bullied into a religion (or any decision) or that your parenting wished can be ignored. She has some nerve! I would call the priest and tell that person that you do not want your child baptized and if your mother in law shows up, he should respect your parental authority. I would also tell your mother in law that you simply can not trust her to respect your authority and she will have no unsupervised contact with your child. This may not be easy but if you give in now, your MIL will disagree with your decisions more often in the next 18 years. Godparents are a religious thing. I think what you want is a guardian. That is a legal thing. If something happens to you, a legal guardian will step in and raise your child. Godparents don't mean anything if you die. Go to a lawyer pick a legal guardian and sign a document stating what you want to happen if you cannot raise your child. If I were you, I would NOT choose your Mother in law. She has proved herself to be disrespectful and meddling. But you can tell her that she is not the guardian because you wanted to choose someone younger that will have the energy to raise your child.

If the MIL is Catholic, she can perform a baptisim in 5 seconds with tap water and a nine word sentence. So if you really don't want this to happen you need to keep an eye.

I know that others are telling you that the priest will respect your authority but that might not be true. In the guise of doing what is best for the child, in-laws and priests have been in cahoots and have performed ceremonies in some very unlikly places. Watch like a hawk!

Stand strong! Good luck!

Answer 3

Why not call and make an appointment to discuss this with a minister or priest in your community? I believe that they will assure you that infant baptism does not commit a child to adherence to a particular denomination.

Generally, the sacrament of baptism is performed in a ceremony in which the parents, sponsors and members of the church where it takes place, promise to bring up the child in the Christian faith.

After talking to the clergyman, and if you decide to have your child baptized, you should give consideration to a choice of godparents with a full understanding of what is expected of them.

People of many denominations believe a child should be old enough to understand the sacrament and that children are in a state of grace until they attain that age. If that is your choice, the clergyman can provide you enough information so that you can explain your decision to your mother in law or anyone else.

Answer 4

The results are going to be the same whether your mother-in-law forces the issue or not, and whether the priest/pastor decides to baptize or not (he/she shouldn't, if they are not going to be meeting with you as the parents). The crux of the matter is whether the child is going to be raised in a Christian home or not, and you have that authority as to how your household will be conducted. You may want to let your mother-in-law know that unless she takes charge of the child, baptism will be a pointless maneuver for her to pursue.

Answer 5

First of all..itis not your mom's job or right to assign"God parents"( people who will be responsible for the spiritual guidance of your child) Second of all..you are right.You would be a hypocrite to baptize your child into a faith you do not follow yourself. Third of all...according to the bible ( not religion but the actual bible) baptism was never meant for babies or children too young to know what it is they are choosing. Baptism is meant for an individual to choose to go through as a way of professing publicly that they have accepted Jesus Christ as their saviour.How can a baby do this. They can not.True baptism is the submersion under water( not sprinkling).Even if you believe spinkling is sufficient, that does not negate the biblical truth that baptism has to be chosen by the one being baptized one they fully understand what it means to have any spiritual signifigance.Your child is too young to choose for his/herself so baptism would be meaningless. If you do want God in his/her life, you can do something called a dedication to the Lord. That is a less hypocritical thing. You do not even need a church , priest or pastor for that. A relationship with God and Jesus is a personal one. Though I believe attending church is a good thing to do once you find the right church, you do not need a go between to have a relationship with God.Simply ask God in prayer to watch over your child and reveal himself to him/her as they grow through life.If a formal cerimony and God parents are what you want then it is the same but with clergy present.There still needs to be no baptism. Your child needs to choose baptism themselves when they grow. I hope I have helped.It might be a good idea for you to ask God to reveal himself to you as well to help answer your questions. He will guide you in the right direction.

Answer 6

Baptism is a choice that the person being baptised should be old enough to make on his or her own.

It's not a requirement for salvation.....it's just an outward sign.

Save yourself some problems by waiting for this child to grow up and decide.

Answer 7

mom in law needs to respect ur wishes and how u & ur husband want to raise the child if she want to be invovled.too many people make a point out of choosing and u dont have 2 .ur child may turn out 2b more spiritual than religous. so tell grandma (respectfully) she had her chance 2 raise her children this 1 is urs.

Answer 8

You are the mom, it's your decision with the father. Whatever the two of you decide on. Yes, you can assign Godparents without the baptism. You just ask the people you want and then write it in your will. It's your call.

Answer 9

OOOHHH i had a problem with this as well.. well a little different

I wanted my child to be baptized in a catholic church and have god parents

My mother in-law wanted to have a dedication because someone is suppose to be baptized themselves when they come to jesus...

I then realized that it is my child, and I will do as I will.
I discussed it with my husband and we came to our own conclusion for our different belief's

Answer 10

Have your own little dinner party with your family and whoever you want to call "godparents".

And tell your MIL to back the F* off. She is WAY out of line.