christening

[sbella]

Am i right for not having my son christened when my husband and I are not religious? or should I have it done just to please family?

[PedroPonyLikesCrisps]

No, you're right. What's the point doing something you don't believe in?

[sbella]

thats what I thought

[sbella]

I would rather let me son choose his own beliefs when he's old enough x

[PedroPonyLikesCrisps]

Quite. Beliefs are a very personal thing. Even if you did christen him there's no guarantee that he will believe anyway. Personally I think christenings are a bizarrely pointless ritual. They don't really mean anything unless you genuinely believe that somehow, by dousing a baby in water that's been shouted at by a bishop (or whatever they do with it......perhaps it's some form of homeopathy!!) that they are somehow accepted into the house of the lord (whatever THAT means). And even if you do think that, I thought god loved us all anyway so why do we need this ceremony to get in bed with Jesus?

Sorry for the rant! I just don't get it!

[thegreenheartofmanyroundabouts]

A baptism or Christening is about the start of a journey of faith and welcoming the bady into a community of fellow travellers. If you have no faith or not even a hint that this might be something you want to explore then don't have your baby baptised. If the family would be very upset by the lack of some sort of church service then there is a thanksgiving service that the C of E clergy can organise for you if you ask for it. I love these services and am more than happy to do them. If church isn't part of the equation then get a non religious celebrant to do a naming ceremony for you.

[Startail]

We had a blessing said for DD1, it was beautiful.

The vicar said it during the Easter Sunday service, so DH & DMIL got to thank God for her safe arrival, in the church that was special to us all (DH and I got married there), in front of their friends.

It was, actually the vicars idea, he knew my beliefs and he was fed up with christening DCs he never saw again. He wanted to show there was a way to welcome a DC even if all parties were not committed Christians or wanted the child to find their own beliefs.

Sadly DMIL died before DD2 was born so I guess DH said is own quiet pray for them both.

[sbella]

Thankyou all I think I will stick to my guns and let my son choose when he's old enough x

[worldgonecrazy]

There are alternatives to christenings. If you want to do something to mark your child's arrival in the world and give them an official "welcome to the world" party then there is nothing to stop you doing that.

I am a naming celebrant - drop me a PM if you want some ideas for nice non-religious ceremonies.