i have a friend who i really want to be godfather as he's helped me so much with my daughter ever since she was born and is pretty much her father!! he's not been christened himself though. i've asked at the church if this would be a problem and apparently its against the law. but my godmother wasnt christened, a friend of mine is a godfather and hasnt been christened so does anyone know where i can find something that states its NOT illegal to have a unchristened person as godparent? or indeed if it actually is!?!
2007-11-12 10:33:57 · 23 answers · asked by evilbunnyhahaha 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Other - Pregnancy & Parenting
No, it is not against the law. It may be against the strictures of your church or your specific pastor, however. My recommendation is to join a different church and have your daughter christened there.
My friend wanted to have two godparents and one of them was pagan, so her church wouldn't allow it. So, she became a member of the UUs (Unitarian Universalism) and had no problem. Pretty much every medium city has at least one congregation.
2007-11-12 10:43:56 · answer #1 · answered by CarbonDated 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Below is from www.eGodparent.com. I think it's a great answer. When you say "illegal" I assume you mean church law. Secular law (the government) doesn't, and can't under the US First Amendment, dictate who can and can't be a godparent. The law might sometimes take into account who is a godparent for, perhaps, visitation rights in a divorce, but I haven't heard of it.
"Do Godparents have to be practicing Christians?
Do you have to be English to play sports for England? Can I celebrate Christmas if I am not a Christian? Well the straight answer to all the questions is you do because that is what it is all about! However, it would be such a shame to exclude someone from something as wonderful as the relationship between Godparent and Godchild. Although it is fundamentally a Christian custom there is no reason why there should not be a similar secular service. Indeed, there is a much broader naming ceremony that can be used, for details click here.[This is a URL Link]
The Catholic Church has a strict requirement that at least one Godparent should be baptised and confirmed in the Catholic Church. The Church of England also requires that all the Godparents are baptised and confirmed but the priest has the power to dispense with the requirement of confirmation.
Who can claim to be a Christian who has never questioned their faith or had doubts? What is the basis of Christian teaching, but, arguably, a code of how to live a good life showing concern and respect for all one's fellow beings? You do not have to be Christian to hold Christian values and morals: there are a large number of people who are not comfortable with the nuts and bolts of being Christian but still know the difference between right and wrong and between good and bad.
The Church of England Service requires Godparents to reject the devil and renounce evil. Anyone who has a problem with these is not exactly suitable to be a Godparent anyway!
There is a very special role to play as a Godparent apart from promoting Christian faith, that is to show the child how to live life. It is also so special to have an adult friend to talk to about all sorts of things you might rather not tell you stuffy old parents! There is a surprising number of fantastic Godparents out there who are non-Christian but still bring up their Godchildren within the spirit of the Christian values.
Parents often ask their friends to be Godparents regardless of their beliefs. Who would not feel proud and honoured to be asked to be a Godparent? This sense of pride and responsibility can develop into a special bond between adult and godchild. In fact this relationship can be so wonderful and unique that it should be freely available for anyone who has the genuine best interests of someone else's child close to their heart.
Copyright © eGodparent 2001
All rights reserved"
2007-11-12 18:53:45 · answer #2 · answered by David O 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The church where my daughter was christened also required all godparents to be baptized. One of our godparents wasn't but there was no way i'd not let her be godparent. At the end of the day its about your child being welcomed into the faith & when they are christened the godparents have to swear to a few things which include taking the child to church, how many godparents actually do this?
Try not to worry or take the whole thing to seriously, its a beautiful day for you & your baby so enjoy.
2007-11-14 09:58:46 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you are christening in the Catholic church, then the Godparents must be christened. It's not that it's illegal, since it has nothing to do with the law; however, it's the Catholic church policy that both Godparents need to be baptized in the Catholic faith.
http://www.cuf.org/faithfacts/details_view.asp?ffID=67
I wish you all the best. I don't know what faith you practice, I hope that something works out.
2007-11-12 19:19:03 · answer #4 · answered by AV 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are only church rules regarding the selection of godparents...it has nothing to do with laws. You need to check with your own church regarding the rules. My baby niece was recently christened and the godparents are a married couple. Only the godfather is a christened member of the church. I don't think the godmother even believes in god. My sister chose them because they are good, kind people and she would want them to raise her daughter if anything ever happened to her and her husband.
2007-11-12 18:41:26 · answer #5 · answered by yakngirl 5 · 5⤊ 0⤋
The law can't dictate anything to do with religion. It may be illegal against the law of the church perhaps, but not against the law of the land...I think the person you were talking to didn't really know what their were talking about or...they just flat out lied to you. My godmother is MALE, I'm sure the church wouldn't like that much, but nothing "illegal" about it. The only reason that is the case with me is because two of my parents friends wanted to be my god father and my parents couldn't decide, so they both got the job...even though their both guys.
In other words....No. It's not illegal. Do what you want, and have who ever you want be the godfather for your child.
2007-11-12 18:42:58 · answer #6 · answered by Dani 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's not illegal from political gov. terms, but 2 the church it's unofficial, unorganized, and unlawful. It's best 4 the godparent/s 2 b christened in the church. Don't worry, it only takes 20-minutes tops, if u quickly plan it with the pastor beforehand.
2007-11-12 19:21:04 · answer #7 · answered by Adreanna A 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Illegal??! I've never heard of such a thing! Although we have lots of old, ridiculous laws in this country!
I have a friend who is godparent and she wasn't christened, but could depend on the church.
It's really the call of your church, and if they are saying no, then it's a no. It's pretty irrelevant if it's actually illegal or not. Could you have it done at another church?
2007-11-13 03:30:11 · answer #8 · answered by Ricecakes 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It isn't "illegal" in a criminal sense of the word only as far as your church is concerned. I've heard of churches who will let the person get christened himself before the baby is christened and you could look into that if you really want this person.
2007-11-12 18:43:02 · answer #9 · answered by ctryhnny04 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it's not state or federal law that would be broken, but church law that is being broken by having an unchristened godparent.
You can do it. Some churches don't research godparent's status before christening, so what does it matter?
Your friend should choose someone who cares and is good for the baby, unless your friend decides that her religious preference overcomes her personal preference.
2007-11-12 18:38:10 · answer #10 · answered by Malina 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋