Christening Advice?

[rich p]

I call them bloody hypocrites.

Forgiveness and tolerance is a virtue, innit, Numbnuts?
As to the OP, my strategy in the past, was to not go to the ceremony but enjoy the free nosh and booze after. Nobody seemed to give a toss, in fact, they were probably grateful for my absence. In fact they probably didn't even notice I wasn't in the church.

 

[EltonFrog]

Don't go to the christening, just 'cos it's a feckin boring waste of time, I feckin hate them.

I'd rather go to funeral, at least you'll have a laugh there

 

[marinyork]

I think most of the variables are unknown to the people on this forum, namely how other people will react.

If you will be more offended than them maybe don't go. If they will be more collectively offended than you then go.

 

[TVC]

Skip the church and go to the party afterwards.

I was Christened at a few months old and I have never been happy that my parents made that decision for me. I have only been to one child's christening since (too much trouble if I didn't) others I have politely declined as I think it is wrong. If you feel strongly that it is not somewhere you want to be then don't go, everyone will get over it.

 

[bikingdad90]

I know plenty of Christians that argue like cats and dogs about whether Christenings should happen or whether they should attend if invited. Many of the people I was brought up with think Christenings are wrong and an abomination.

Christenings were born out of young children dying and a belief that they would go into Limbo should they not be christened. The bible is not explicit in saying what happens but there are plenty of scriptures which support that they are taken to be with The Lord which in my opinion makes a Christening redundant. Also
if you study the scriptures then Christenings are a bit pointless as the whole point of baptism is to die and become reborn with Jesus and the Holy Spirit in a new life. You cannot expect a child to understand this concept therefore they cannot accept Christ at an very early age.

Secondly the piss up afterwards can turn into deborchury which is against christian values as wrote by apostle Paul.

Personally, we have not had our children christened but we are active members of a church in more ways than one and believe in Jesus. If it was me I would not be attending unless the father had reconciled his marriage, believed in Jesus, repented and was been a proper father to the little child.

 

[S-Express]

If it was me I would not be attending unless the father had reconciled his marriage, believed in Jesus, repented and was been a proper father to the little child.

Don't be applying logic to this process, now...

 

[Venod]

We have secular versions for marriage and death, but oddly not birth

Aren't all births secular ?

 

[Julia9054]

If you are really an atheist, then it's just a building, all they are saying are just words. They have no power, so why not go in? Not going feels pretty superstitious to me.

Go. Welcome the tyke into the world. It's sounds like she/he is going to need all the love and support that the family can give.

Ceremonies are important markers of transitions. We have secular versions for marriage and death, but oddly not birth.

I had naming ceremonies for my two which consisted of some speeches by older members of both families and a party. We made it up but my husband's grandfather (90 at the time) was a Baptist and explained that it was, in fact, part of a Baptist tradition. They prefer to leave the actual Christening until the child is old enough to choose. Some of the more C of E members of my husband's family were a bit lemon lipped about it.
In my younger days i would probably have refused to go to the OP's christening but have mellowed a bit on such matters with age.

 

[Julia9054]

I am from a non religious family but got myself christened at about the age of 12 when going through a religiously curious phase. Rejected it all about 6 months later as none of it made any logical sense.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Secondly the piss up afterwards can turn into deborchury which is against christian values as wrote by Paul.
.

I've been to hundreds of baptisms, and christenings, of babes-in-arms, children, and adults.

Not once has the after party shown even a hint of debauchery. Bugger.

 

[fossyant]

It's a good booze up/party. Chill. Religion doesn't not need to apply.

I am Roman Catholic, but I don't practice. Live and let live - go for the social event ! Irish Catholic events are rather good I am told !

 

[Milzy]

I'm sorry but they shouldn't entertain christening a bastard. If something's worth doing then do it properly. At least the child has a step mum they'll never meet.

 

[winjim]

Stop judging, start loving.

 

[fossyant]

I'm sorry but they shouldn't entertain christening a bastard. If something's worth doing then do it properly. At least the child has a step mum they'll never meet.

That's your opinion. You do know more that 50% of kids born in the UK are 'bastards' ?

 

[fossyant]

So as someone who has been brought up Religious can quite happily accept other religions, none religions, and is happy to participate in 'life' ceremonies ?

I am happy with other religions, and we embrace festivals as a family.... No-one is perfect....