I am a regular Church attender but NEVER preach to folk because in my opinion its each to their own and we can all get along regardles.
Wellsie -- I think the question you have to ask yourself is ' Whilst being a complete atheist will I ensure this child is brought up with a religious faith?' If the answer is 'no' then you can't do it - If despite your atheism you will do the religious side with the child then you can do it.
Yes. I am a atheist and I'm god patent to my nephew and niece aswell as 2 of my friends Children, as long as you are upfront with he parents and they still want you to do it I see no issue.
I would say as long as the parents are aware of your position and you will respect the religious choices of the child as they mature then its fine. Ensuring a child is brought up with a faith I don't like the sound of as it tends to imply forcing a particular religion onto a child. Which granted is how religion works through indoctrination but personally I don't like it.
Yes it is but in all honesty how many Godparents will actually do much with their God Son/Daughter let alone bring them along in the Christian Faith ?
You're right I know, the reality is somewhat different though. Essentially I would say its down to the parents who have asked you. Explain your postion to them and what you are actually willing to offer then see if they still want you.
I am an Atheist and have refused to be Godparent for babies of friends and family on several occasions. I could not in all concience give the promises that a Godfather has to make. However it is easy to refuse an adult! When a four year old climbed on my knee and asked in person it was impossible to say no!
They didn't ask me that as far as I can remember, it was a while ago. I was completely clear with the parents and now their children are at the school that they both went to and all their family going back years and years. It's the only way to get them into there and the other schools nearby are not good. They get a great education, follow the religious teaching at school and then make their own mind up when they are older. Will decided that it's really not for him but quite a few of his school mates are still religious.
Friend and his wife - both atheists have appointed close friends of theirs to be legal guardians to their three youngsters. I think that they did this for two reasons - they didn't want anything to do with religion and they wanted to nominate who would look after their children if anything happened to them. (Friends from S. Africa so no close relatives here.)
I'm not religious. My Mum was, and as a result, we had both our daughters Christened. All my friends had their children Christened, and I am Godparent to two of them. I looked at it this way: They asked me as their best friend. They wanted me in place in the unlikely event that their child needed someone other than them. To me, that is outside religion, and a request that needs answering. I said yes. If anything happened to those parents, and the children needed me, I pledged to be there. I'd take it as a compliment to be asked, but as a pledge to look after that child. Forget the religion bit. As an aside, I find Christenings far less offensive than Baby Showers, which really are an invitation to send gifts.
People over complicate things, if you are asked to be a godparent i would hope its by a close friend or family member and they are asking you because they think you are a good person. I am not religous but dont need to announce that i am an atheist. If asked to be a god parent i would be proud to accept. I have christened my children because it is a good thing to do and in future they can decide what they want, if they want to follow the church then good for them amd the christening was a bonus. If they dont and not bothered for believing in god then no biggie either and they wont melt for being christened. Enjoy the day, enjoy being part of the childs life. I dont believe in a big ball of gas man with a white beard sat on a cloud making everything on earth happen but i do like the decent, moral, politeness, manners, being nice that christianity teaches and thats enough for me.
I understand your viewpoint as a churchgoer but rightly or wrongly I would imagine churches up and down the land would struggle to continue without fundings from events such as weddings etc where I would think a sizeable amount of people that get married are doing it out of tradition alone, not religion.
I haven't been christened, which is quite unusual for someone of my age. I am, however, a God parent. A crap one, but I didn't intend to be and wasn't for a while, but circumstances after a divorce... Having not been christened I shouldn't be allowed to be a Godparent. I have lied to a Bishop in a church. I don't feel even remotely bad for having done so. The Christening wasn't an excuse for a plss-up. There wasn't a party. The only people to attend were the two parents, their two kids and me and my former wife. It was all getting too big and they just wanted to do it quietly. I said yes because I cared for the couple and I cared for their kids. I told them I'd be rubbish at it, and that's turned out to be true, but it was a nice day. And I've got the kids' birthdays in my calendar and I still often think of them and if I got a phone call I'd be there instantly.
