a good christening present from an atheist?

Question

i've been invited to the christening of a friend's child, and am trying to think of an anti-religious gift i could get away with giving to him. my theory is that if it's ok to force religion down a child's throat, it's only fair to give it both sides of the argument. anyway, so far i can only think of children's evolution books, and would be interested to hear any suggestions?

Answer 1

usual pressie is a silver t-spoon isn't it?
be different open an account, stick some cash in, bobs your uncle

Answer 2

The last Christening I went to I gave a nice photo frame to the parents so they could frame some photos from the occasion. Gave a nice cuddly toy for the baby - always a winner.

However, if I had stuck to my core principles I would have given the following to the parents:

a) "Letter to A Christian Nation" by Sam Harris
b) "Why I Am Not A Christian" by Bertrand Russell

and the following for the baby:

c) "The God Delusion" by Richard Dawkins
d) "God Is Not Great: Religion Poisons Everything" by Christopher Hitchens
I like the parents, but I do NOT respect their religious views.

Quite the opposite in fact.

Answer 3

We recently purchased a tree for our friend's baby as a christening present. We didn't actually GIVE them the tree - it's one of these schemes where you donate an amount and choose the type of tree (we chose a monkey-puzzle tree) and then it's planted on your behalf in a nature reserve. You get given a certificate stating where your tree is - and we simply made a beautiful handmade card to put the certificate in.

We thought that this would be a nicer and more environmental gift - the tree will hopefully live for over a hundred years and is a lovely thing for a child to know about . . . . .

Anyway, that's my suggestion . . . we found out about it just by searching the net. There are quite a few places that do this (we are in the UK and had the tree planted in Cornwall.)

I hope that helps.

It's so much nicer to give (and receive!) gifts that have been given with REAL thought behind!

Answer 4

I don't think it would be possible to give an anti religious gift from the point of view of a religious person because in there eyes god has inspired someone to make it.So why not give the child a present that they might love and in years to come they might associate it with you.If you do manage to find the ideal atheist present whats to say that they just don't throw it in the bin.If these people are such good friends of yours why not just rejoice with them and if the child is that young he will not under stand what is going on.probably he will think hes having his face washed.when the child gets older it might turn its back on religion. So give the child a present from your hart that you would willingly receive for your own child

Answer 5

As you have been invited to the christening of a child, then surely the present is for that child and not for you to force your own atheism. Give the child a toy and, when it is older and able to think and reason for itself, get it a good children's history of the universe. That way the child can make its own mind up.

Answer 6

i am an athiest but i went to my friends babies christening i said no to being a god parent as it didnt seem right

you just need to give him a gift that will be special and everyone can manage that, just because you are an athiest dosent mean you can not give something nice, but if you feel so strongly perhaps you shouldnt go at all,

but remember it is not your day to get all like this they are inviting you to be part of the celebration

you probably still give gifts at christmas and they probably give you christmas presents are they ever religious, if not then it prooves that it needs to go both ways

just be nice, perhaps when the child is older you can be their to show him another way if that is what you want

have a great day


xxx

Answer 7

you have a point but don't get the child caught in between. I guess at this point his parents still reserve the right to educate their child so i wouldn't fight with them on a bid to give the child a different perspective. Give the child something useful, maybe clothing, a play object, something like that. Now when the child grows up and is curious about your beliefs then you can tell the child about what you think about creationism etc.
And i am atheist

Answer 8

A book. Really, any age-appropriate or nearly age-appopriate book or books - Dr Seuss is an excellent suggestion, if the child is an infant, and I'm pretty sure there are gift sets available.

"Religion is stupid" is the same sort of message as "Religion is good", it's of the same quality. The message I think you ought to send is "Thinking is good." A critical mind with a good heart will make the kid a good person, irrespective of religion.

Answer 9

As thge word 'christening' refers to being offered back to Christ, why would an atheist WANT to give a christening present anyway?
Why not simply decline the invitation, or would that be too rational a response?

Answer 10

yes why not a book on quantum physics.
that way the child can eventually get a very good perspective on how an intelligence greater than human intellect pervades every aspect of existence.
ps im going to christen my cousin and teach her about god against the parents atheistic beliefs. bye.

"A little philosophy inclineth man's mind to atheism, but depth in philosophy bringeth men's minds about to religion." sir francis bacon.

Answer 11

Well if its a baby, books aren't really ideal, I'm afraid. Why not buy the child an outfit or something for the nursery? Or why not open a bank account for the child? The parents can get a head start on preparing for his or her future.