What happens if you are not Christened ?

fawd1

Not at my local one though, saying you'd like your child to have a catholic upbringing, and proving it with his baptism certificate is enough. I should know, my son's just started there and I specifically told them that I didn't practice my religion but would like him to be educated in it. This is despite having a large Polish population in the area who are predominantly all practicing Catholics

sweaty_betty

I think it can vary from church to church (or between vicars). I know people who are godparents but not baptised themselves (they were never asked what their "baptism status" was. I also know that in other churches they will offer to baptise the potential godparent directly before the baby, as otherwise they are not allowed to be godparent.

I know some churches where it's difficult to get married there without fulfilling all sorts of criteria (baptised, regular attendance, marriage preparation classes), others seem to be much less bothered.

Both catholic and Anglican schools in my area are really sought after (all outstanding etc) and the connected churches have a huge number of baptisms so people can get their children a place. However in other areas I know about, baptism/church attendance is irrelevant to getting into the school.

Fwiw - we go to church every week but are not really interested in baptising our little one. Unfortunately that means he stands less chance of getting into the church school than those who have been to church only once, for their baptism! But that's the choice we've made.

marleyboy

I was christened as a child into RC and still remember having my confirmation at church, this was back when school would take a register to church and tell us off in school the following Monday if we had not attended church. Things are much more relaxed nowadays, with no restrictions or limitations, possibly in an attempt to fill more seats in the virtually empty church masses.

Albeit I am Roman Catholic, the Mrs is Atheist and my Son is nowhere near old enough to make a decision about religious beliefs. Maybe there was a time such a mixed family would be unheard of, but those days are thankfully long gone.

Mojisola

Mojisola wrote: »

Because of the demand for places, being christened isn't usually enough. The school would also expect evidence of regular attendance at church.

fawd1 wrote: »

Not at my local one though, saying you'd like your child to have a catholic upbringing, and proving it with his baptism certificate is enough.

Exactly. It will depend on the school's policies.

megela

Not being christened has prevented me from becoming a god-parent to a friends child. My argument was that I was an active member of my own church just not christened, but I still wasn't allowed, yet theoretically a convicted criminal who was christened could be! Didn't make sense.

Stephb1986_2

I was christened Catholic along with my soon to be husband but neither of us practise or really want to be that religion anymore (We don't want to be any religion) if we were to have a child and not have it christened what would happen if something awful (God forbid) happened to the child would it still be able to have a funeral?

Sorry if that sounds like a stupid question just wanted to know.

Steph xx

scheming_gypsy

I'm not Christened / baptised and still got lumbered going to a church school. Fortunately they realised I wasn't going to be brainwashed and that it'd be a waste of money making me do my RE exam, so I was allowed to do homework etc in RE?

Lovelyjoolz

Stephb1986 wrote: »

I was christened Catholic along with my soon to be husband but neither of us practise or really want to be that religion anymore (We don't want to be any religion) if we were to have a child and not have it christened what would happen if something awful (God forbid) happened to the child would it still be able to have a funeral?

Sorry if that sounds like a stupid question just wanted to know.

Steph xx

Yes, of course they can have a funeral. But chances are it would have to be a CofE funeral, not a Catholic one, and the child would not be allowed to be buried on consecrated ground.

DTDfanBoy

Stephb1986 wrote: »

I was christened Catholic along with my soon to be husband but neither of us practise or really want to be that religion anymore (We don't want to be any religion) if we were to have a child and not have it christened what would happen if something awful (God forbid) happened to the child would it still be able to have a funeral?

Sorry if that sounds like a stupid question just wanted to know.

Steph xx

You would be able to have a funeral it just couldn't be a Catholic funeral unless you were planning on having the child baptised, which it doesn't sound like you are.

Gloomendoom

Lovelyjoolz wrote: »

Yes, of course they can have a funeral. But chances are it would have to be a CofE funeral, not a Catholic one, and the child would not be allowed to be buried on consecrated ground.

Aren't C of E graveyards consecrated?