Christening when you don't believe in God??!!

Jake'sGran

LouBlue wrote: »

And another thing, whilst we are on the subject, the friends I know that suddenly start going to church to get their child into a Catholic school, then stop going! Surely Catholic schools aren't always the best schools to go to? I should know, I went to one....:rolleyes::D

My daughter and husband were expected to do that for their children to go to a nearby church school. They are non-believers and wouldn't do it. Turned out that the non affiliated school closer to where they lived did a great job and both the lads are going to University. Also, she did not have them christened but had an alternative service which I cannot remember the name of.

My son (who never really wanted to be married) got married in a registry office. He insisted on this. His wife's father would not allow them to live together. It lasted three years and he lives alone in the marital home. Sad all round.

jellyhead

JCP wrote: »

My attendance at various churches is strictly marriages and deaths only.

I read somewhere (in a fiction book) a phrase about church being for getting 'hatched, matched and dispatched'.

Filey

Limbo was a Roman Catholic thing where the souls of unbaptised or stillborn babies couldn't get into heaven. They waited around forever, unable to be with God, something to do with Original Sin which always seemed to me a cruel concept anyway. Fortunately for the aforementioned babies the Pope has now decreed that Limbo is, after all, not where they will linger but they will go to heaven after all.

jellyhead

Thanks Filey - does limbo stille exist for adults, or was it just for children? I suppose adults can go to heaven or hell.

azjh77

I had all of my children dedicated at the same time. They do not have 'God parents' but all of the church agree to help guide and watch them. I don't go to christenings anymore, as most of them are present gathering exercises (like engagement parties!.. you can have the present if and when you get married!*)

*Had one friend whos been engaged 3 times, and married twice .. and had a party - and expected presents! -each time!

Loz01

I dont understand why people christen there kids either if they're not religious! Loads of babies/kids in my family have been christened and whenever Ive said "oh I didnt know you were religious" people just reply "Er, Im not.." or they just admit they only have them christened for the p*** up afterwards and so people can buy gifts. Ridiculous really.

surreysaver

LouBlue wrote: »

Aaah there is one reason, religious relatives. Well I have no parents or grandparents and OH's family won't get a say, they don't go to church.

But then surely its the relatives being hypocritical? If they know you don't believe, but are forcing you to go through with it?

surreysaver

lab-lover wrote: »

Oh, Ok - thanks for explaination. Makes sense, if you are a believer. xx

Doesn't really make sense - it just proves that the Catholics just make the rules up as they go along.

surreysaver

tiamai_d wrote: »

I had meningitis when I was born and the hospital tried to have me christened as they didn't think I'd make it.

Hospitals and nurses should keep away from this religion stuff.

zztopgirl

My 1st xmil made me have my eldest dd baptized, however, i wanted to go to the local church where i'd lived all my life, went to regularly, etc, but that was too far away for her liking, about 3 miles :rolleyes: 1st xh was an atheist, but it was the 'done thing' with his family and i was too young to protest.

I considered having my youngest baptized, thought about doing it whilst all the family came over for my 2nd wedding, on the day after the wedding. However, i changed my mind and decided that i'd let dd make her own mind up when she's older. I always felt pressured to have the children baptized by other family members though.