To christian or not to christian?

[maddisonM]

My fiance and I are currently expecting our first child this year and so the question has come up. I was raised in a church going family and I still do believe in god and the things I have been taught. I however do not attend church on a regular basis but I am a firm believer that you dont need to go to sunday service to have faith and pray. On the other hand my fiance has never been to church but supports me if this is something I would like to instill in our child. Some of my critics say things like " You dont attend church so whats the point". The point is for me its how I believe and a way I would like to bring my child up. So then is this hypocritical or inappriopriate? Or do I need to start attending regular services to be intitled to christian my child?

[MarkRae]

Completely hypocritical.

You should, IMO, raise your child(ren) in a way which completely abstracts them from religion and all the attendant guilt that it brings...

[Sir Alec]

God is everywhere. Why do people have to go to a church to pray?

[Craftypig]

To christian or not to christian?

Do you mean Christen? If that is what you mean i would suggest you let your child make that decision when he/she reaches an age where he/she can decide whether or not he/she wants to follow your religion or not.

[woofgang]

I agree with craftypig. DO NOT make promises that you have no intention of keeping.

[boxtops]

Your post suggests that you have been away from the church long enough not to know the difference between Christian (the Christian religion) and the act of Christening (i.e. the ceremony of accepting the child into the Christian church). If you are going to have your child Christened then you need to accept that you have to teach the child about Christianity yourself as it grows up.
It would be hypocritical just to have your baby Christened just so, for example, you could get him or her into a Church school.
If however this is your belief and you would want your sone or daughter to get married in church, then go ahead - your child can always change its faith later if it doesn't agree with you.
I agree - you don't have to go to church to believe.
Are you and your fiancé planning a church wedding yourselves?
I have family members who never set foot in a church themselves apart from weddings and funerals, but all their children have been Christened. I think people see it as a sort of insurance.
Whatever you decide - it has to be your and your fiancé's decision, it's nothing to do with anyone else, your critics can do what is right for them, it's your family, nothing to do with them.

[jno]

totally agree with boxtops (as usual). If you think it right to christen your child, and your partner agrees, do so. It is nobody else's business whatever.

[hannah40]

i was raised in a christian family and i believe in god i had my children christened and chose godparents who are religious and attend church .I take my children to sunday school as does there godparents i dont have to attend church.I feel then i am doing the right thing and then my children can decide what to do.If i wasnt interested in church or religion then i would not have had my children christened.

[puma86]

should you not be married before having children really anyway?

[puma86]

not that its really any of my business, just wondering!?

[Mosaic]

You need above all to have confidence in your decisions as an adult and a parent. Nobody else's opinions matter - you aren't breaking any laws, just doing your humble best for your family. 'Never explain, never apologise' in these matters. Be happy with your decisions and keep the upbringing happy - it's about all that any of us can do, the kids make their own minds up as they age in any case.

[Old_Geezer]

I think all parents like to pass on what they have learnt/concluded/come to believe to their children, at least as a starting point for them. Why should you baulk at teaching them your honest belief regarding spiritual issues simply because you don't feel the need to go praise a creator regularly ? I think you know the answer, maybe you just want support for it ? Give your child the benefit of your experience, and blow what others think.

[Old_Geezer]

Errr... this was supposed to be a thread about christening someone ? If so it wasn't clear. But if so, then it depends on how much you believe the child will suffer if death takes them first. I suspect it would be just for your own peace of mind, as I can't believe a creator would abuse an innocent for not undergoing some human ritual. Your choice but I'd let them decide later. Or if it is for cosmetic reasons, well blow it, get it done now and keep the family happy and off your back.

[LoftyLottie]

I think MaddisonM made it our business by asking the question and our thoughts. My thoughts are that in Maddison's case a Christening would be just fine if that is what both parents wish for their child. Maddison believes in God and a Christian way of life.

However, as Christians believe that marriage is for the procreation of children and you want to follow Christian traditions then it surely you should be married before your child is Christened into the Church. This is not from a moral point of view but I can't see the point of following some traditions are not others.

I also absolutely agree with Old Geezer