Baptism meeting with father

notanewuser

Alchemilla wrote: »

Why?

It is interesting that distinction is made between C of E and Roman Catholic Godparent roles. I'm a C of E Godparent to a child being brought up Roman Catholic and I seem to have missed the distinction.

I am sure it is a failing in me that I can't see why an atheist would object to the baptising of babies. Surely if it doesn't mean anything its not an issue?

In what way is it "lovely"?

If a little boy were being inducted to judaism (without his express consent) including being circumcised would you congratulate the parents on having part of their healthy baby's body removed?

Ditto if a young girl were to be mutilated as part of some religious belief by her parents would you be so thrilled?

If it's being done as an excuse for a party, it's totally meaningless. If done to open up educational opportunities it's ridiculous. If it's being done because of genuine parental belief then it's unnecessary, as the child would be brought up "religiously" anyway. Why not just let them decide for themselves when they're old enough?

(eta - I couldn't be a godparent to a child being baptised catholic, but i would have refused anyway. However, the parents made a will requesting the child be placed with me should anything happen to them. So what was the point of the catholic godparents?!)

Torry_Quine

I do think it strange that non-believer would want their child christened but in this case we have no knowledge of her reasons so I feel some comments are are unjustly harsh.

My church doesn't christen children but we have a dedication service which is part of our normal service. When old enough it is then up to them whether they are baptised as a believer.

The thing that does anger me is churches who see no issue with people making promises when they have no belief in God.

notanewuser

jaylee3 wrote: »

I have never in my LIFE, ever known anyone furious at their parents for having them christened.

I have known a few people who were quite cross with parents for NOT having them christened though.

What harm can it POSSIBLY do? How is being christened EVER going to affect a person's life?!

My parents regret baptising my sister and I. It was a knee-jerk reaction to losing another child and they fell into a pattern of sunday morning chapel services and sunday school. They now feel that was a mistake and an utter waste of so many hours of precious family time.

It makes no practical difference to life now, but life 30 years ago would have been very different had they not been pushed into that.

mountainofdebt

notanewuser wrote: »

(eta - I couldn't be a godparent to a child being baptised catholic, but i would have refused anyway. However, the parents made a will requesting the child be placed with me should anything happen to them. So what was the point of the catholic godparents?!)

To ensure that the child is exposed to the Catholic faith in the event of the parents death??

pickledonionspaceraider

jaylee3 wrote: »

I have never in my LIFE, ever known anyone furious at their parents for having them christened.

I have known a few people who were quite cross with parents for NOT having them christened though.

What harm can it POSSIBLY do? How is being christened EVER going to affect a person's life?!

Religion is such a personal thing I think each person has a basic human right to be able to choose their own (or non at all if wished) rather than the parents think that just because they believe in such and such, their child is going to believe it too.

pickledonionspaceraider

amus wrote: »

Perhaps not but personally I found a 60 year old bloke asking me whether I was having sex with my partner or not quite pervy.

Sorry but I think that is pervy too. Urgghhh

notanewuser

mountainofdebt wrote: »

To ensure that the child is exposed to the Catholic faith in the event of the parents death??

Mum wasn't a believer and dad hasn't been seen since. So child has never been "exposed" by them anyway!

mountainofdebt

notanewuser wrote: »

Mum wasn't a believer and dad hasn't been seen since. So child has never been "exposed" by them anyway!

so I guess they wanted to their opinions open just in case the local school turned out to be carp and they wanted the option of the local faith school ?

notanewuser

mountainofdebt wrote: »

so I guess they wanted to their opinions open just in case the local school turned out to be carp and they wanted the option of the local faith school ?

I don't think so. Dad was a waste of space who abused mum and demanded that child be baptised. Once done he hopped into his car (drunk, as he was prone to do - "hail mary" apparently sorts that) and drove off into the sunset.

amus

Goldiegirl wrote: »

If you wanted have your child baptised, it would have been fairly obvious that you'd had sex at least once with the baby's father.

Well yes, which makes it all the more odd he felt the need to discuss it with me.