Christening

[rabet]

Why do so many non-churchgoers insist on having their children christened?

[rabet]

Dris, I'm shocked! I thought you were at least a nun.

[ICEQUEEN20]

Boxtops did you attend their christenings in a church then??........is that not hypocritical of yourself to do that too??

[Dris]

What -was it my bad habits that gave the game away :)

[sara3]

ICEQUEEN, on that basis I shouldn't attend funerals.. but I can still show my respects.

can't I?

[NOX]

I don't think it's hypocritical to attend other people's religious ceremonies ICEQUEEN- I just think that'd be quite rude- because those thigns are not about the guests theyre about the people involved.

[boxtops]

icequeen, no I don't consider it in the least hypocritical to join in with other people's celebrations - I'm not a godparent, I don't join in with prayers or worship if I don't believe in it, but I certainly go anywhere to support my friends and family. I've attended all sorts in churches, gudwaras, mosques, secular events, according to what the main participants believe. We wouldn't not attend something just because the main characters in the event believe something different from us. We're only watching.

[ICEQUEEN20]

............I rest my case.......hypocrites

[boxtops]

Absolutely not Icequeen, I am not pretending to be a Christian or a Muslim or a Jew by attending ceremonies with my friends, I am supporting my friends (and in doing so, IMO, helping to break down some barriers). A hypocrite would pretend that they were going along and joining in the ceremony because of their own beliefs - I'm don't, I go because I want to support my friends in their chosen ways of life. I was godparent to my niece 30 years ago and I could still tell her about Bible stories etc even though my own beliefs were different. We don't all live in silos - if that's your definition of a hypocrite, it's not the same as mine. I don't compromise my own beliefs and principles just because I allow other people to practice theirs.

[sara3]

ICEQUEEN - great argument you're putting up there.. lol!

[MrIncredible]

None of my children are christened because I am an atheist, yet I I have attended church service's weddings etc, I did feel a bit of a hypocrite when i was asked to be a god parent to my nephew and part of the service was to renounce the devil, but I did it out of politeness to my Brother.
I think most people do it for the occasion rather than what it actually stands for.

I have a friend who has become a catholic just to get there children into a better school, she has even asked us for advice on what to say in confessions, (yeah confess that your religous belief is a sham to further your children education can't see that one happening!!)

My mother-in-law still keeps asking if I have any intention of getting my children christened......after 7years the answer is still NO!!

My grandfather was definaltey not a hypocrite and when he died one of his wishes was that his body not to be taken into church (as he had never been to church in his life) so my Nan, Bless her, arranged a church service and my granddad's coffin stayed in the hearse outside while we went in to listen to the service, the off to the cremetorium! (oh and don't make the mistake my brother made and ask "whats that burning" a the crem)

[Captin Kirk]

Do you join in with the hyms? Mumble your way through them at low volume or just stare at an open hymn book with your mouth shut?