what is the point of a christening if you're not religious?

[onetwothreebp]

I would never christen LO because neither OH or I are religious. It would seem quite hypocritical of us.

 

[patch2006uk]

My family are very religious (Christian) but don't believe in infant christening, as it's not something that's actually in the bible. Adult baptism, yes. Babies? No.

I'm personally not religious (agnostic, really) and I'm very glad that we came under no pressure to get Isaac christened, as I wouldn't have felt comfortable with it.

 

[Incubus]

All of oh's family and some of mine want Keelan to be christened but neither of us religious so we be bothering. They seem to just want a bit of a party that we have to pay for…

 

[GracieGoo]

Hubby and I were both christened, and do believe in god however hadnt been to church in years so opted against a church wedding. However since having our babies, we both believe its important that they are introduced to religion in someone, not just for the religious aspect but also the community side. Currently we have been going every other week, we don't see church as a commitment, we see god as that, and unfortunately hubby works most weekends and I struggle to get to church with both children on my own, and for them to manage them both at church. We also go to the church children's groups too, and any family service we can.

So we will be getting our babies christened in a couple of months. I can't wait for it. When I first took my children to church I was moved to tears when the vicar blessed them - so there christening will be amazing. And of course I can't wait for our family and friends to witness what is a happy event for us as a family whether or not they believe in christening a or not.

Ultimately as a parent it is your choice. But personally if I didn't believe I didn't intend to take my children to church ever then I wouldn't bother

Xx

 

[Keyval]

I find it disrespectful people saying that others do it for gifts. I'm not religious and neither is oh .but we got lo christened. We wanted to introduce her to the church and its an opportunity for her. If she chooses to forget about it later in life that will be fine but we certainly didn't do it for gifts. Neither of us believe but we do take her to church now and until she is old enough to make her own mind up

 

[beth_terri]

I find it disrespectful people saying that others do it for gifts. I'm not religious and neither is oh .but we got lo christened. We wanted to introduce her to the church and its an opportunity for her. If she chooses to forget about it later in life that will be fine but we certainly didn't do it for gifts. Neither of us believe but we do take her to church now and until she is old enough to make her own mind up

You haven't done it for the gifts though and that's fine! I (and the other posters I assume) just know too many people who DO do it for the gifts and the 'piss up'. X

 

[Rachel_C]

I don't think you have to go to Church to be a Christian, so I fully understand why somebody might want to get their child Christened if they have Christian beliefs but don't actually go to Church. Even if you don't intend to be part of the active Church community, it is a way of saying to friends and family, "This child will be raised with Christian values" and to make the promise before God to teach them that. I think a lot of people actually have Christian beliefs and try to live their lives according to Christian values but wouldn't consider themselves fully paid up members of a Church - they're still Christians and I'm glad that most Churches seem to recognise this way of 'being Christian'.

I know there are also people who do it for the sake of tradition and, again, I don't really see a problem with this unless they've actively gone out of their way to deceive or lie to the vicar. A lot of people celebrate Christmas and Easter just for tradition too! As long as you don't lie, I think it's okay and just part of being a member of a largely/historically Christian(ish!) society.

 

[LoraLoo]

I don't think you have to go to Church to be a Christian, so I fully understand why somebody might want to get their child Christened if they have Christian beliefs but don't actually go to Church. Even if you don't intend to be part of the active Church community, it is a way of saying to friends and family, "This child will be raised with Christian values" and to make the promise before God to teach them that. I think a lot of people actually have Christian beliefs and try to live their lives according to Christian values but wouldn't consider themselves fully paid up members of a Church - they're still Christians and I'm glad that most Churches seem to recognise this way of 'being Christian'.

I know there are also people who do it for the sake of tradition and, again, I don't really see a problem with this unless they've actively gone out of their way to deceive or lie to the vicar. A lot of people celebrate Christmas and Easter just for tradition too! As long as you don't lie, I think it's okay and just part of being a member of a largely/historically Christian(ish!) society.

This

 

[kirstylm]

I get peed off when people christen their children if they aren't religious and have no intention of leading them down that pathway!
Naming ceremony is fine and a Great alternative or if you intend to introduce your child to the church then fine.
I feel some people just do it to have a party and dress their LO up not even thinking about what it ACTUALLY means! Grr bugs me!

 

[Athena]

We will be getting this baby baptised as we did with dd and ds, we are both Catholic and go to Mass every week.

My priest must be very strict as there is no way you would be allowed to baptise if you didn't regularly attend Mass and go to the course you have to do which instructs you how the Catholic Church expect you to raise your child in the faith.

He also won't sign forms of any non-Catholics/lapsed Catholics to agree to let them in the primary schools either. Makes me laugh because before we had this priest and the school were less strict I had one Mum complaining in the playground as the children had to say prayers several times a day and she didn't agree with it!! Duh hello it's a Catholic School!!

 

[pinklightbulb]

I never had mine christened. I wasn't either.

 

[Randianne]

I don't see the point if you're not religious, but to each their own.

We won't be getting LO christened. White doesn't suit her coloring.

 

[Dragonfly]

We will be getting this baby baptised as we did with dd and ds, we are both Catholic and go to Mass every week.

My priest must be very strict as there is no way you would be allowed to baptise if you didn't regularly attend Mass and go to the course you have to do which instructs you how the Catholic Church expect you to raise your child in the faith.

He also won't sign forms of any non-Catholics/lapsed Catholics to agree to let them in the primary schools either. Makes me laugh because before we had this priest and the school were less strict I had one Mum complaining in the playground as the children had to say prayers several times a day and she didn't agree with it!! Duh hello it's a Catholic School!!

Maybe she is in an area like mine where there only is catholic schools *or where I am miles away you have the odd protestant one*. One school accepted my son who is not christened. Rest said no and some where rude. But he will be left out of RE class and assembly. School board says this is down to the schools discretion. Not sure how that works yet and I am told already no one will supervise him so he maybe forced in to religion classes. but I wont christen my children because every one else does so they can fit their child in with the schools, they have a mixed family anyway from both sides of the fence in NI as we call it. We dont have any minorities here in my area, My son will be the first to be left out of RE in the school and I have been called bad mum several times for making him this way. I wish we had some choice here it feels very discriminative. Many just home school their kids if this happens sadly I cant do that at the moment.

 

[kimberleyrobx]

Theres two meaning to 'christening'... one of them being the religious meaning and having your baby christened to become a christian. The second meaning is a naming ceremony and i suppose you could say 'a way of celebrating the name and birth of my child, welcoming my baby into the world' xx

 

[Snow Owl]

My family are very religious (Christian) but don't believe in infant christening, as it's not something that's actually in the bible. Adult baptism, yes. Babies? No.

My friend is very religious and shares this view. She explained that all babies are pure and innocent and have no need to be christened and will always be welcome into heaven and to be buried at a church. It's only when you become a late teenager that you look at commiting yourself if you want to

I'm not religious at all and thought this was a beautiful way of looking at it

 

[Midnight_Fairy]

Nope as it means nothing to me. I dont see the need.

 

[snowfia]

I didn't get my LO christened and I won't be getting this one christened either.
I wasn't and I don't think OH was either. Neither of us are religious so I don't see the point in it for us.

 

[Mrs Mc]

Both me and OH are religious and our children will be christened. It is extremely important to us for them to be welcomed into the church. We are involved in our church and the twins are already part of that community. We were married in a church as to us it wasnt just about getting married by law but in the eyes of god too.
I find it very hypocritical when other people christen their children or get married in a church when they either dont believe or the reigious aspect isnt important to them. Why bother? I do agree with celebrating your relationship or birth of a child so think weddings, not in a church, and naming days are great and definately are a great alternative.

 

[Athena]

We will be getting this baby baptised as we did with dd and ds, we are both Catholic and go to Mass every week.

My priest must be very strict as there is no way you would be allowed to baptise if you didn't regularly attend Mass and go to the course you have to do which instructs you how the Catholic Church expect you to raise your child in the faith.

He also won't sign forms of any non-Catholics/lapsed Catholics to agree to let them in the primary schools either. Makes me laugh because before we had this priest and the school were less strict I had one Mum complaining in the playground as the children had to say prayers several times a day and she didn't agree with it!! Duh hello it's a Catholic School!!

Maybe she is in an area like mine where there only is catholic schools *or where I am miles away you have the odd protestant one*. One school accepted my son who is not christened. Rest said no and some where rude. But he will be left out of RE class and assembly. School board says this is down to the schools discretion. Not sure how that works yet and I am told already no one will supervise him so he maybe forced in to religion classes. but I wont christen my children because every one else does so they can fit their child in with the schools, they have a mixed family anyway from both sides of the fence in NI as we call it. We dont have any minorities here in my area, My son will be the first to be left out of RE in the school and I have been called bad mum several times for making him this way. I wish we had some choice here it feels very discriminative. Many just home school their kids if this happens sadly I cant do that at the moment.

No, there are loads of schools in the area. It's known as nappy valley here locally. It just so happens the school had the best ofstead reports, nice small classes, village feel and so was very desirable. It was just funny how she thought it was so odd and didn't agree that the school was so religious, even though it is a Catholic school meant for Catholic children to raise your kids in the faith so if she wasn't religious at all or agree with the amount of religion taught/expressed then maybe a different school would have been better choice for her

ETA: I am shocked that you have been spoken to rudely and made to feel like a bad mum for leaving your boy out of RE. That should be your prerogative especially since you don't have much choice on where he goes to school. I'm sorry you've been made to feel that way, and hope your son gets on well, I'm sure he will.

 

[beth_terri]

My son goes to a catholic school actually. But didn't have to be baptised for it and they know we are a non religious family. It was that school or the choice of two AWFUL schools.

Also on the RE subject. I'm completely atheist but loved studying re. I opted to do it at gcse level and really enjoyed it. I don't believe it any of it but enjoyed learning about the religions of the world x