If it really bothers you that much,then as Antipope of the Cult of the Dancing Possum,I am fully qualified to unbaptise people,and for a small fee,will happily arrange a modest ceremony.
Ian
P.S. The Cult does not accept new members,so I have noexperience in baptisms,but we are nothing if not a flexible religion.

I was christened and funnily enough it’s had pretty much zero effect on my life…and last i checked i hadn’t started any wars or done much evil in my time… stop being a muppet would be my advice.

praise da laaaaaard! brother the jes-mandingo

I haven’t accidently unbaptised you ,have I rumbledethumps? Only you seem to have got religion from somewhere,and it’s not making a very good advertisement.
Ian

You could always go along for your daughters sake. Slip in at the last minute & leave straight away. You don’t have to get involved in the circus afterwards. If it does turn out to be something that plays a part in her life at least she will have the knowledge you were there, even if its something you oppose.

Brother Ian is that you?

I am non religion and think religion cause’s a lot of problems. I was never christened as a child as my mum is the same as me – atheist

Ah, you’re a bigot, and you’ve based that on blind faith in your mother’s beliefs.

Sounds like you and religion will get on just fine.

I think you are probably objecting more to the fact it’s happening against your will, rather than the principle of the event itself. It must be heartbreaking to have no control over what happens to your child, so you really have my sympathy. In this instance though, there really isn’t any harm in it. You state yourself that your ex isn’t interested in religion, so she won’t have any views to push onto your child, therefore your child will make its own mind up, and probably won’t even be aware for many, many years that the ceremony took place!

Take a deep breath, let them get on with it. You can’t influence what happens, so at least save yourself from getting an ulcer over it.

Good luck 🙂

Shock horror, STW forumites with no idea of what they’re debating, again!

OP, ‘Christening’ your child does not make them a ‘Christian’. It merely reassures the believers that, in the event of infant mortality, the child’s soul will ascend to heaven. It’s a bit like a provisional driving licence.
As the child grows to adulthood they can decide if they want to take their test, or not. This is called Confirmation.

Christenings need not be a huge happy celebration for the families involved, they can be carried out by any confirmed Christian, in private, and without witness, or even the parent’s consent. Is that Daily Mailish enough for you?

In no way is your child being inducted into a cult. For most people it is merely a celebration of their child surviving the first months of life.

If you want to spoil that…….

Shock horror, STW forumites with no idea of what their debating, again!

I didn’t realise that it was a subject which required specialist expertise.

I have been to several christenings, and thought I knew what they were about.

Is there a book on the subject which will help me understand more ?

Trampus – Member

“As the child grows to adulthood they can decide if they want to take their test, or not. This is called Confirmation.”

That’s what I did but unfortunately I failed with a minor fault for poor observation, and a major for not believing in God.

^lol

Ernie, judging from most of the posts, yes it is.
Attending a christening should make things clear, there is an ‘Order of Service’ usually provided.
Books? I’ve no idea, sorry.
I’m an atheist. 🙁

Northwind, 🙂

” I am non religion” [sic]

OK. Then you believe the ceremony is just harmless splashing of water on head and a smiles from relatives. Nothing to be concerned about.

Is there anything I can do?

Yes – teach the child that religion is a load of bunkum for the feeble-minded and teach her to be strong with good values.

Then the stupid ceremony becomes irrelevant.

teach her to be strong with good values.

Is this not the underlying message of most religions?

Is this not the underlying message of most religions?

+1

Not a believer myself but teaching a child religion is bunkum and for feeble minded people is just another form of brainwashing.

If I was in the OP’s shoes I would be pissed off. But thats probably part of the reason his ex is so keen! If you were still together than a non-religous naming ceremony would do everything except the weird “soul going to heaven” part – but if your not able to have a sensible discussion about that. I guess if she is “entitled” to do this without your consent then you could fight for custody in which case you would be “entitled” to prevent it? But custody battles are messy and horrible, have long term implications, and may be unsuccessful – and as this issue could polarise views this might not help!

Duke: We had our twins christened recently and we are both atheist, although I would probably class myself as an aggressive agnostic and the wife insists she is just abstaining from the whole question of faith.

We did it to give them the option in the future. If they want to follow a religion so be it. Also for the mother-in-law(s) and to get our friends together to celebrate a bit.

Personally don’t think it will make a difference how we bring them up. ? eh ? surely the route to “give them the option” is to do nothing?

Wallop has said what I was about to write. I’ve gone through separation and I can empathise that decisions made by an ex partner that exclude your own feelings can be very hard to deal with. In this case it is only a mild social ritual. No more than that.
Someone told me, when I had similar anxieties that we have to have the courage to let our children be who they want to be. At that time, it was a hard thing for me to accept as this may be for you. Hopefully you can see that your daughter will still be your daughter no matter what.

Also lol @ Northwind.

<edit>

These parties don’t get held so often in some countries.

Ernie, judging from most of the posts, yes it is.
Attending a christening should make things clear, there is an ‘Order of Service’ usually provided.

‘Order of Service’? …….that sounds suspiciously like the sort of shenanigans that heretical protestants get up to 😕

The only christenings I’ve ever been to were associated with the one true and universal catholic church.

And just a small point, it’s a ‘baptism’ ……. John the Baptist (who was a catholic btw) was called “John the Baptist” not bleedin “John the Christenist”.

That’s the problem when you start your own religion and have a Queen as the head…….. they’re clueless – that’s what they are.

Even Jesus Christ was baptised (by John the Baptist) How could Christ have been christened ? ……. for christ sake

Do these church officials need to have CRB checks done to let them have contact with children?

I did just for coaching Table Tennis and child molestation seems to have been endemic amongst some religious orders.

Hi! 😀

Fundamental atheism

Otherwise known as….. atheism….

My children will definitely be christened. My wife is Polish, where the Catholic Church still is a very important part of life. It’s important for her, despite the fact that she isn’t a practicing Catholic. As it’s n non issue for me, it only bothers me that we have to go to Poland for the ceremony 😉 I am looking forward to seeing what happens. Our wedding was fun, especially my Polish vows!

I am agnostic, so find the ceremonial aspects of the church quite interesting. I wouldn’t worry about your child being indoctrinated OP, especially in a country like this where religion lacks relevance. If asked about jesus’ actions or whatever, my stock answer will be it doesn’t matter what someone else did or did not do. What matters is what you do. Treat people with dignity and respect and you’ll normally receive the same in response.

Yes – teach the child that religion is a load of bunkum for the feeble-minded and teach her to be strong with good values.

Yes, teaching a child that a good percentage of the world is feeble minded is clearly the way towards a more tolerant society 🙄 What I think is that some people need to believe and some are adjusted towards it by social circumstances. If you lack respect for someone because of their religion, that says more about you tbh.

One of the best facets of all religions is their view of those who dont believe. It is the very definition of tolerance and they have never persecuted anyone who disagreed with them 🙄
Yours Kafir, gentile infedel etc

You are talking about religions Junkyard. I am talking about people. The religious people I’ve met have never persecuted me, in my wifes case it was quite the opposite 😀

Equally, I choose not to accept blame for the hideous actions of the British Empire, despite enjoying the spoils…

I would probably class myself as an aggressive agnostic

How on earth can you be an aggressive agnostic?

i wouldnt worry.
she wont remember/care anyway.

you COULD worry about people later on (her school) leading her up the garden path to one religion or another, but ONLY as much as they might worry about you trying to enforce her atheism.

Born again evanglical atheists, and thier deity, Richard Dawkins, are just as much trouble IMO (not that implying you are one!)

when shes old enough, educate her about all the options, and let her decide on her own.

no harm will be done by christening, and as long as its her mother money shes wasting, i wouldn’t even worry about it.

my 2 nephews have been christened, i’m even a god-parent to the youngest 😯

as far as i can tell no harm came from it.

Simples. Don’t go to the church, don’t go to the party, ignore the whole event. Consider if daughter looks back at photos in years to come she will ask why you were not there.

Unless you’re completely not involved with ex & daughter by then….

TJ – as someone born into a largely catholic family, I have to say I find your ‘feeble minded’ comment insulting. As many others on here have said, the ceremony itself is no big deal, and even the OP has stated that the little girl wont be brought up with religion having any real influence, so it’s no big deal really, more the fact that his ex appears to be disregarding his feelings. So, then, why is religion for the feeble minded TJ? I’m no rocket scientist, admittedly, but I seem to have done ok, as has the mrs (she’s recently finished her second masters degree, and the last time I checked, she hadnt managed to walk in front of any traffic or eat anything poisonous). It’s boringly predictable on here, but as soon as there’s any mention of religion, comments such as yours get wheeled out. Dont get me wrong, it doesnt create any real problems in my life, I just find it annoying 🙄

Fundamental atheism is as dangerous as any other fundamentalism

How does this manifest itself and dependent on your answer can you identify where and how this is “dangerous”?

barnsleymitch – Member

TJ – as someone born into a largely catholic family, I have to say I find your ‘feeble minded’ comment insulting.

Oh FFS don’t start that nonsense – this thread doesn’t warrant a mega-page conclusion.

I can’t believe that you want to encourage things to kick off.

Just accept that TJ has no tolerance of people with a different opinion/belief/lifestyle/whatever……and that it doesn’t cause you “any real problems” although apparently you “find it annoying”…… and leave it at that.

ernie – starting off ‘nonsense’ was never my intention. I dislike being viewed as foolish, simple as that. People have different views, thats what makes the world go around, and just because we dont always agree, it doesnt make those views any less valid. Surely, as intelligent adults, we dont have to resort to insults, or am I just being naive?
To clarify, it’s not TJ’s views on religion that I disagree with, he is, of course, entitled to his opinions, as are all members of the forum, and I wouldnt attempt for one second to change that – its just the insults I dont like.

I dislike being viewed as foolish

By TJ ? A geezer on the internet who you’ve never met ? Why is approval from TJ so important to you ?

I couldn’t give a monkeys if some punters on a bike forum think I’m “foolish”. Especially when I’ve got a very low opinion of them.

TBH I can’t believe you’re that sensitive, so I’ll stick to my original suggestion that you want to encourage things to kick off 💡

Deliberately provocative from me. Sorry if you took it personally Mitch

However I do believe that belief in a supernatural being is incompatable with rationality

It doesnt really matter what I say then does it ernie? I’m trying to explain things as politely as I can, as I really dont want to provoke an argument, in spite of your insistence otherwise. Entering into further debate over the issue will only reinforce your belief that I simply want to encourage things to kick off, so I’ll withdraw as gracefully as I can.

You are talking about religions Junkyard. I am talking about people. The religious people I’ve met have never persecuted me, in my wifes case it was quite the opposite

A mildly amusing reposte/pin head dance but do you wish to deny that organised religion is intolerant of non believers ?
The empire was built on values that no longer ar upheld. have the principle of religion changed over time or they somewhat written in stone?

I’m trying to explain things as politely as I can, as I really dont want to provoke an argument, in spite of your insistence otherwise.

So you have never heard of the potentially volatile mix which is created when you introduce religion into STW ?

It’s all news to you is it mitch ?

yeah right

Turn up at the church, uninvited, and at the bit where the man says “Does anybody present know any good reason why..”

Am I thinking of the right one here?

Or maybe as a christening present you can send her a gift-wrapped Singletrack login.