Christening or no christening?????

Justie

I would only have a Christening if I knew that all those involved in saying the vows believed them. There are plenty of naming ceremonies and the humanist society will have a guide to how you can do it or you can have a blessing and have a party if that's what you want. I think having some public ceremony after the birth of a child is lovely and think that having family and friends make a commitment to support you and the child is really valuable but it doesn't have to be religious unless you specifically want it to be.

inkie

When I am approached by families wanting to 'christen' their child - I willingly meet with them and go through the wording of the promises that they are making on behalf of their little one. I am very up front and always challenge the parents to not make any promises that they do not intend keeping, as surely their child is worth more than that, and God see's their intentions and motivations anyway. When we have gone for this, many parents then decided to go for a 'thanksgiving' ceremony instead i.e. thanking God for being belssed with this gift of a child, asking his blessing on him/her, rather than promising to bring the child up in a christian manner when they have no intention of doing so. I am always happy to speak with parents regarding this, and would sooner them commit to somthing that they are able to be held to rather then setting themselves up for failure. It's nothing to do with parties - if that isthe sole intention, of it being en excuse for a p@ss up then go to the registrar for a naming ceremony instead.

absolutebounder

taggiesgirl wrote: »

What a funny world we live in were people are attacked for their faith.;)

I didnt attack you for your faith I attacked you for imposing it on your son whos is presumably under the age of 16 and only been given a very biased view of religion in an environment that equates to brainwashing.

ailuro2

You can have a naming ceremony at the registrar's now for your baby, or just hold a welcoming party in your house for the baby?

I do wonder why so many non Christians choose to Christen their children- I always wonder if it's the p!ss up afterwards that people look forward to.:rolleyes:

OH and myself both believe in God but don't attend church, we have let our DD decide for herself what religion,if any,she will choose.

absolutebounder

ailuro2 wrote: »

OH and myself both believe in God but don't attend church, we have let our DD decide for herself what religion,if any,she will choose.

The correct way to do things.

emmaroids

my kids are not christened, im not religeous so i dont see the point.

anyway i find that most folks nowadays only have a christening so they can have a good booze up.

snowmaid

absolutebounder wrote: »

I didnt attack you for your faith I attacked you for imposing it on your son whos is presumably under the age of 16 and only been given a very biased view of religion in an environment that equates to brainwashing.

Isn't keeping them away from God also a form of brainwashing? Where are they able to make their own decision if they have never been taught about God?

I was brought up knowing God, my children have been brought up knowing God, my daughter CHOOSES not to attend Church, my son CHOOSES to do a mission. They have BOTH made a KNOWING choice and exercised their free agency. I can honestly say I have given them BOTH the fair freedom to make the choice they want as adults.

absolutebounder

snowmaid wrote: »

Isn't keeping them away from God also a form of brainwashing? Where are they able to make their own decision if they have never been taught about God?

I was brought up knowing God, my children have been brought up knowing God, my daughter CHOOSES not to attend Church, my son CHOOSES to do a mission. They have BOTH made a KNOWING choice and exercised their free agency. I can honestly say I have given them BOTH the fair freedom to make the choice they want as adults.

There is a difference between telling or teaching about something in an unbiased way and indoctrinating a helpless mind or baby into a cult ritual by peer pressure and other brainwashing tactics.
You would probably not see Christian education as brainwashing but it is rife in churches youth clubs and schools. The unfortunate thing is that the so called love of god is preserved by the fear of eternal damnation and not getting an afterlife. Hell is something for which we have no evidence what so ever yet is used as a bribe. There is also absolutely no evidence to show god exists tharefore whilst there is no harm in telling children about these things they should not be the subject of rituals.

MortgageMamma

The only thing a child needs is good parent/s, a roof over its head and food in their belly. Whilst I respect bounders opinions, I too was "brainwashed" as a child by parents, but as I became an adult I drew my own conclusions and now am not religious at all - quite the opposite. I think that whatever beliefs that are inflicted on a child will not necessarily be carried through to adulthoods. I actually remember sitting in mass as a child, perhaps 5 or 6 thinking it was a load of rubbish and why was everyone so stupid to believe any of it! and I still think that now

snowmaid

absolutebounder wrote: »

There is a difference between telling or teaching about something in an unbiased way and indoctrinating a helpless mind or baby into a cult ritual by peer pressure and other brainwashing tactics.
You would probably not see Christian education as brainwashing but it is rife in churches youth clubs and schools. The unfortunate thing is that the so called love of god is preserved by the fear of eternal damnation and not getting an afterlife. Hell is something for which we have no evidence what so ever yet is used as a bribe. There is also absolutely no evidence to show god exists tharefore whilst there is no harm in telling children about these things they should not be the subject of rituals.

You are entitled to your opinions. Did you attend church as a child or at any time?