Christening....which religion.....

margaretclare

Torry_Quine wrote: »

I have to disagree there, I do think it's shocking and a sad indictment of our country that there are people who think that for instance the catholic church and the church of England are different religions. Surely RE lessons would cover denominations and their differences for one example

I agree. It is something that has been lost in recent years. When the loss started and why, I don't know. I suspect that it may have been something to do with multiculturalism. Years ago every school days started with an act of worship - Christian worship that is - and if parents didn't want their child involved, either because they were of a different branch of Christianity or they were (rarely) of a different religion, then they could stay outside assembly.

I was very young, certainly under 10, when I knew that the chapel and church in our village were still parts of Christianity. I was 12 before I ever met a Catholic and 14 before I met a Jew. I knew a lot about the Bible though because we did the Old Testament in primary school, learned a lot of it by heart, the cadences of the old version have stayed with me throughout life and are part of English literature. Even my DH, who was brought up Jewish, knew the Lord's Prayer from school assembly, which he chose to attend.

Does any of that happen nowadays, unless you happen grow up in a church-going family? I doubt if you'd get it from school.

Torry_Quine

lizzywig wrote: »

Can I just say that I do know about the different denominations....I'm just ignorant to all of the differences, their beliefs and for lack of a better word 'rules'. That is because in the past I have not had a huge amount of interest but I now do.

Thank you to everyone who has offered some advice, an awful lot of food for thought. You've all been really helpful and this has given me a lot to think about. Hubby isn't working tonight so I think I'll share some of this information and comments and we'll have a good long chat about what we think.

Thank you again.

I'm sure that very few of us are aware of all the differences between all the denominations of which no doubt there are many.

I think sitting down with your husband and deciding together what it is that you want for your child is good and I wish you well whatever you decide.

Lotus-eater

Torry_Quine wrote: »

I have to disagree there, I do think it's shocking and a sad indictment of our country that there are people who think that for instance the catholic church and the church of England are diferent religions. Surely RE lessons would cover denominations and their diferences for one example

Well I'm 41 and I still call Catholicism and Anglicism different religions, so do all the different religious people I am friends with.

And I have to say, not one of them, is as judging as some of the people on this thread. Truly an eye opener for me, at some of the remarks.

onlyroz

Regardless of your own religious leanings, I think it's better to let the child make their own decision about which religion they want to join, in their own time.

Torry_Quine

Lotus-eater wrote: »

Well I'm 41 and I still call Catholicism and Anglicism different religions, so do all the different religious people I am friends with.

And I have to say, not one of them, is as judging as some of the people on this thread. Truly an eye opener for me, at some of the remarks.

I have to say that you and your friends are wrong, both are Christian denominations what else could they be!!:(

onlyroz wrote: »

Regardless of your own religious leanings, I think it's better to let the child make their own decision about which religion they want to join, in their own time.

I think that this is a very good idea. You can still have a service to thank God for the arrival of your child.

zcrat41

Lizzie,

I haven't read all the replies but I think you should go and have a chat with your local vicar - whether it be RC of CofE. I'm sure they would love the chance to help you find out about faith and what it might mean to you and your family and then to make a decision for your baby.

C S Lewis said that to ask the question Did Jesus live is the most important question you can every try to answer. If you ask it and don't believe that's fine but do ask it and think about it. Sounds like your mind is already kind of asking the questions for you!

Good luck, I'm sure the vicar will be very friendly

ZC

drsquirrel

So many people do it just for the ceremony, which I think is stupid.

You can have a non religious "naming ceremony" with as much or as little bull poop waste of money as you like http://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/naming/namingceremony (more info with your local council).

meritaten

I too am well aware that the correct term is 'denomination' - but being of a slightly older generation, know that when someone asked 'what religion are you' they generally meant denomination!
This was the commonly used word up until very recently!

Lotus-eater

zcrat41 wrote: »

C S Lewis said that to ask the question Did Jesus live is the most important question you can every try to answer. If you ask it and don't believe that's fine but do ask it and think about it.

I've never ever, understood this fascination for Jesus. I'm not trying to be annoying or rude to anyone, but surely the question should be. Does God exist?

I think it's pretty well believed by those in academic circles, that someone called Jesus existed. Whether he was the son of god, of course comes down to belief.

EchoLocation

Have a non-religious naming ceremony and let the child decide when their old enough if they want to follow any particular religion.

ebayqueen wrote: »

Please remove this one as well Crazy guy. Very distasteful

Not distasteful in the slightest; the old testament, however, now that's distasteful.
Is your faith so weak that it can't take a little satire?