Christening

[communistworkethic]

I'm responsible for his moral upbringing, the little fecker's signed for Tranmere, so I failed miserably

Do you succeed miserably too?

often

[Dujon]

To be a godparent involves certain responsibilities and is something which should be considered seriously before acceptance of the role. I understand that in these times it is really some sort of acknowledgement of the friendship between the parents of the child and the recipient of the offer, but that is not why the position exists. A godparent is not only charged with the responsibility of overseeing the religious aspects of a child's life as he or she is also expected to attend the welfare of the said child when things go wrong (divorce, death, illness, whatever). I doubt that there is any legal obligation but, by the same token, I'd suggest that there is a moral facet involved and that if you don't believe in the religion of the parents then you shouldn't accept the offer as to do so would be hypocritical.

In other words, as a godparent, you are sponsoring a child into the religion by which he or she is baptised. If you are not an adherent of that religion, and thus bound by its rules, you are not only fooling yourself but doing your friends a disservice.

No, I wouldn't and haven't taken on such a role - even though offers have been made.

[Bertie]

Set of coins from the year of birth

Either



http://www.royalmint.com/PackedSets/DU08BP.aspx

(if you're feeling a bit twee)

or

http://www.royalmint.com/PackedSets/D08.aspx

if feeling minted.

[FD]

still a little unclear what an atheist Godparent is.... and this one isn't even any use for buying the kid stuff...

isn't it a bit like saying I'm a ManU Bolton fan???

The godparents are the people who are supposed to bring up the children in the way of the church.

However, most parents think of it more in the way of "If we croaked, who would we want looking after our children? Who would we trust?"

It's a huge f**king honour and a few of ours cried when asked, such was the honour.

[fatshaft]

still a little unclear what an atheist Godparent is.... and this one isn't even any use for buying the kid stuff...

isn't it a bit like saying I'm a ManU Bolton fan???

The godparents are the people who are supposed to bring up the children in the way of the church.

However, most parents think of it more in the way of "If we croaked, who would we want looking after our children? Who would we trust?"

It's a huge f**king honour and a few of ours cried when asked, such was the honour.

Sorry, but I am LMAO.

[FD]

Any particular reason?

[communistworkethic]

still a little unclear what an atheist Godparent is.... and this one isn't even any use for buying the kid stuff...

isn't it a bit like saying I'm a ManU Bolton fan???

The godparents are the people who are supposed to bring up the children in the way of the church.

However, most parents think of it more in the way of "If we croaked, who would we want looking after our children? Who would we trust?"

It's a huge f**king honour and a few of ours cried when asked, such was the honour.

Sorry, but I am LMAO.

ditto

[FD]

I'm not sure how I missed the word "Atheist" if I'm honest.

[thebish]

still a little unclear what an atheist Godparent is.... and this one isn't even any use for buying the kid stuff...

isn't it a bit like saying I'm a ManU Bolton fan???

The godparents are the people who are supposed to bring up the children in the way of the church.

However, most parents think of it more in the way of "If we croaked, who would we want looking after our children? Who would we trust?"

It's a huge f**king honour and a few of ours cried when asked, such was the honour.

hmmm... but a Godparent does NOT carry out that role - it's a myth. Those kind of decisions should be stated in your will - being a godparent gives you no legal status or rights over the child in the event of both parents carking it....

really.... no legal status whatsoever....

[Bertie]

hmmm... but a Godparent does NOT carry out that role - it's a myth. Those kind of decisions should be stated in your will - being a godparent gives you no legal status or rights over the child in the event of both parents carking it....

really.... no legal status whatsoever....

Quite right.

The ideal qualities of a godparent are:

a) Single with no dependents
b) Rich
c) A good person to threaten child with i.e. "we'll sent you to stay with godparent for the summer if you don't behave"

[Gertie]

still a little unclear what an atheist Godparent is.... and this one isn't even any use for buying the kid stuff...

isn't it a bit like saying I'm a ManU Bolton fan???

The godparents are the people who are supposed to bring up the children in the way of the church.

However, most parents think of it more in the way of "If we croaked, who would we want looking after our children? Who would we trust?"

It's a huge f**king honour and a few of ours cried when asked, such was the honour.

FD... This really, really isn't the case and you absolutely MUST get a will detailing your wishes for you children if you and Mrs FD were to pop off. The Godparents will not have a legal right, and further more your children could end up in court or even being split up. Have they both got exactly the same godparents?? Would they alternate between all of them???

I made it number one priorty to get a will drawn up following the birth of my daughter, and it doesn't take long, nor is it very costly. I know that she'll go and live with my parents if anything happened to me which is peace of mind rather than leaving it to courts after my death. My parents aren't her godparents they're just grandparents who will become legal guardians who I know will be pleased and able to bring her up.

I really understand it isn't great thinking about your death but, it can be a real mess to deal with if there aren't any wills.

Personally, I don't understand the athiest godparent malarkey. It sounds like being a straight homosexual. All a bit confuserated.

[fatshaft]

Personally, I don't understand the athiest godparent malarkey. It sounds like being a straight homosexual. All a bit confuserated.

I think that comes down to being asked, and not wishing to offend the asker. That said, it also shows that the asker has no real idea what godparenting is all about if they ask someone who has no time for religion to be a godparent. SHows it up for the sham and nonsense it is really.

(this not getting locked yet? )

[communistworkethic]

well the parents of my Godson are catholic, I'd guess they know what the role entails in their minds, what with being able to pick and choose the bits of religion that suit you depending on how you want to interpret them. Perhaps they, as I do, see the role as being one as a 'moral' guide, something which actually has little to do with religion.

[Zulus Thousand of em]

(this not getting locked yet? )

Not whilst it stays at this level - a healthy debate discussing all sides of the issue without degenerating into abuse!

Hopefully people now realise how far they can take it without modding action becoming necessary. There's certainly been enough practical demonstrations!

[FD]

FD... This really, really isn't the case and you absolutely MUST get a will detailing your wishes for you children if you and Mrs FD were to pop off. The Godparents will not have a legal right, and further more your children could end up in court or even being split up. Have they both got exactly the same godparents?? Would they alternate between all of them???

No no no don't worry! I'm sorry I should have been more clear, we've done all the will stuff already and I'm aware of the legal rights etc

The godparents are more the people we'd want to help look after them if the worst happened. Not be their legal carers, but people we'd want to have a hand in their lives and the way they were brought up. Admittedly I really didn't make that clear, I said "looking after" and I literally meant that in the way I've just described, people who will have a helping hand in bringing them up right, people we trust. However, none of the godparents have legal custody over our boys should we die, that's the grandparents.

So don't worry, I know godparents have no legal rights if the worst should happen, that's what wills are for

[Batman]

Do a Michael Corleone, and use the christening to take out all your enemies one by one whilst you have a cast-iron alibi.

[TANGODANCER]

well the parents of my Godson are catholic, I'd guess they know what the role entails in their minds, what with being able to pick and choose the bits of religion that suit you depending on how you want to interpret them. Perhaps they, as I do, see the role as being one as a 'moral' guide, something which actually has little to do with religion.

Dear, dear. Let's change the whole world, why not?. Catholics believing baptism and God parenting has little to do with religion? Why not just create a new role without using the word "God"? Me, I thought it had everything to do with religion, like taking place in church during a baptism ceremony and taking vows in the name of God. Without its religious concept you might as well do it all in a bar and call yourself a Pubparent.

Then again, you could always be honest and offer the fact that you don't believe in God, so being a Godparent would just be a joke in your eyes. I respect your right not to believe in God, but lets keep it sensible and avoid tripe hey?

[fatshaft]

well the parents of my Godson are catholic, I'd guess they know what the role entails in their minds, what with being able to pick and choose the bits of religion that suit you depending on how you want to interpret them. Perhaps they, as I do, see the role as being one as a 'moral' guide, something which actually has little to do with religion.

Dear, dear. Let's change the whole world, why not?. Catholics believing baptism and God parenting has little to do with religion? Why not just create a new role without using the word "God"? Me, I thought it had everything to do with religion, like taking place in church during a baptism ceremony and taking vows in the name of God. Without its religious concept you might as well do it all in a bar and call yourself a Pubparent.

Then again, you could always be honest and offer the fact that you don't believe in God, so being a Godparent would just be a joke in your eyes. I respect your right not to believe in God, but lets keep it sensible and avoid tripe hey?

He's only making a suggestion as to why they chose an atheist to be their godparent TD and their possible logic, not actually suggesting that was their reason.

But in fairness, he does have a point. How many people go through with christening just 'because'? I was certainly under pressure with my two from my parents, as I am the only one of my family (20 cousins) who didn't do this, but at the same time they were aware of my deep distaste for religion and didn't push it.

What would catholics be trying to achieve having an atheist as a godparent? How religious could they actually be? Their purpose certainly can't be a religious one, so Commie's 'moral guide' would seem to be more relevant surely?

[communistworkethic]

well the parents of my Godson are catholic, I'd guess they know what the role entails in their minds, what with being able to pick and choose the bits of religion that suit you depending on how you want to interpret them. Perhaps they, as I do, see the role as being one as a 'moral' guide, something which actually has little to do with religion.

Dear, dear. Let's change the whole world, why not?. Catholics believing baptism and God parenting has little to do with religion? Why not just create a new role without using the word "God"? Me, I thought it had everything to do with religion, like taking place in church during a baptism ceremony and taking vows in the name of God. Without its religious concept you might as well do it all in a bar and call yourself a Pubparent.

Then again, you could always be honest and offer the fact that you don't believe in God, so being a Godparent would just be a joke in your eyes. I respect your right not to believe in God, but lets keep it sensible and avoid tripe hey?

hmmm as ever your addled mind creates nonsense from a reasonable comment, I expect the scouse-like "victim-style" outcry and indignation next, oh look you have already As fatshaft points out, the two points you highlight are distinct. If you can't use logic, which evidence suggests perhaps you can't, don't try and discuss stuff you can't evaluate properly.

[Batman]

Ah religious topics on TW, how I have missed the utter shit spouted from both sides.