Why Christen?

[Seekrit]

This is a topic that came up when I was speaking to my friend - What is the benefit of having a baby Christened. And if I was to choose to not Christen my baby, what does that mean for them in the future? What choices will they have.

I'm not Christened and was bought up in a home where religion wasn't discussed, however we were told "you know where the local church is"
DH was bought up in a home where everyone went to church every Sunday. Since meeting me he hasn't seen the inside of a church, however I know he'll want to get our kids Christened - moreso to appease his mother than for any significant religious value.

I'm just weighing up the pros and cons.

[cosmic]

Hi Seekrit,

I have wondered the same thing myself. My DH and I were both christened and went to church schools though neither of us consider ourselves religious in any way at all! I know that as I went through school and we had our first communion and our confirmation, it was part of the deal that you had to be christened first.. so some kids who hadn't been, but wanted to go on and receive the other sacraments had to be christened. There were other kids who were not of the same religion but just attended our school, and from memory I think they just sat out of those ceremonies??

DH and I have discussed alternatives such as a naming ceremony but we don't really know anything about those things! I would love to hear others' views on this because I really don't know what the options are or the repercussions later on... but it would be nice to have some kind of celebration to welcome the baby - not necessarily religious.

C.

[Seekrit]

I can see myself throwing a "HOORAY IT'S A BABY" party rather than a christening.

[Ffrenchknickers]

HI

As Christians, we havent gotten our children christened. We believe that baptism is something that is done when you are old enough to understand why you are doing it and what it means - promising to keep the laws of God and to follow his will in everything you do. Baptism is the washing away of sins and turning from your non Christian ways. I dont believe that babies have any sins to turn away from lol! This is why we got baptised and hopefully why our kids will too when they are old enough to understand. I dont think that baptism is something tht should be taken lightly - great that you are thinking about it

Our church does dedication ceremonies instead(like a special promise to the child to teach him/her the Word and the love of God.) So if you arent religious, I think a Naming ceremony would be perfect as you can put in exactly what you like and what is meaningful to you and then your kids can decide what they want to do when they are older.

[nemosmum]

I was raised strict catholic while DH was baptised Presbrytarien (I dont even know how to spell it LOL sorry) and even though he went to sunday school his home was basically not very religious in the formal sense. He was mostly exposed to indigenious spiritual dreaming beliefs instead. I have some problems with some of the catholic teachings but over all I believe in god and heaven etc so we had DS christened catholic, Dh and I both feel it was the right thing for us to do. Our son will be given the opportunity to learn about christianity (no particular faith) and also indigenious spirituality as this is apart of his heritage. Ultimately we would like to pass on the basic beliefs that all people are created equal, peace on earth and all that stuff......but its nothing were overly concerned about. As a child religion was forced onto me and as such I think I learnt to resent it, I wont be making that mistake with DS......Were good people with kind hearts and I think thats more important than anything else.

[WeThree]

Hi I mentioned in another similiar thread that you have to make some very heavy promises when you are getting your child christened, so its best not to do it unless you really mean what you say, I agree with Katie, I want my children to stand up and profess their faith in God when they are old enough to do it themselves, besides Im not very keen about baptising them into a particular 'religion' (ie Anglican, Baptist etc) which is what a baptism does, cause it wont matter to me which church they go to, as long as the one they are going to makes them happy and teaches the true word of God
ps Naming ceremonies are great, its a chance to welcome your new bubs into the family in your own, unique way

[WeThree]

Sarah, i liked what you wrote, whenever i read your posts, little things you mention make me think that you must be part of a heaps nice family, i know youve said your side wasnt very nice, but i always get the sense that your hubbys side is just lovely

[nemosmum]

Thanks Erin, my side of the family are well meaning if a little crazy LOL Dh side are very well adjusted which balances my crazy side out I guess

[Angel_baby_1982]

DH and I aren't christian but we are christened, we know people who weren't christened who have had problems, like one of DH's friends who was told by his fiancee's church they couldn't marry there because he wasn't christened, and one of my uncles, his wife wasn't christened and when she died of breast cancer the church refused to do the service because she hadn't been christened.

We're going to christen our kids because as far as we are concerned what's the problem with getting it over and done with while they are babies?

It's not like it will cause problems for them if they end up being non-believers, and it's a great excuse for a family get-together

[draught]

Some different thoughts on christenings for you to consider.
I was raised Catholic and although I describe myself as "mostly-lapsed" I still write that down on forms where it is necessary, and certainly describe myself as a Christian. My parents are very active in their church and the extended church community and certainly set a very good example for me of what it is to lead a Christian life (their actions speak volumes, as do their quiet words). DH is Anglican from a non-church going family.

Our children were christened in the Catholic church but it is important to note that their baptism is "recognised" for the purposes of other christian religions - they are not just "catholics" but are baptised as "christians".

Something to think about is which school you might be thinking of sending them to as some (not all, just some) christian schools require the children to be christened before they accept them.

And to show that all the good intentions in the world can still leave your children with no idea......my cousin who is about 34 rang his mother last year to invite her to attend his baptism as he has declared himself to be a christian and wanted her to be part of his becoming a christian. She was a bit surprised and asked him why he was being christened again - she thought that once you were christened, that was that and that any future ceremony would be about a reaffirmation of your faith.

He said "what do you mean I was christened already". She explained that as a baby he was christened and that was why he was raised as a Catholic and sent to a Catholic school, why he went to mass each Sunday while he lived at home, and why he was an altar boy etc. His response? "Oh are Catholics christian too?" Needless to say my aunt wonders where his mind was through all of those church services, religious education lessons etc!!!