--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Started by: ged Sent: 23/02/2001 20:34 6 Replies
I am going to be asked to be a god parent to a friends new born in the near future, as I now follow the old way, and only my wife knows, what do I do without becoming either hypocrite or a liar to either others or myself, Discuss! Ged

Add reply Delete replies First Previous 1-6 of 6 Next Last

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: GothsChilde Sent: 23/02/2001 22:21 1 of 6
I hace the same problem...my pagan friend had a child, but in order for her to attend the only decent local school, she has to be baptised. My friend asked if my partner and I would be the godparents. As yet she has still made no plans to have the child baptised (after 6 months), luckily for me! I too am not sure what to say...the idea of being a godparent is to help bring it up with good ideals....we feel that we could do this, the only problem is going into a church and taking part in the service (where you have to state that you are a Christian)...I myself am not to confortable with this, yet I still don't want to let my friend down, as I feel honoured that she trusts me with this responsibility...

From: Saffron Sent: 23/02/2001 23:27 2 of 6
I think you have to be honest with yourself about this. You must ask yourself what being a godparent is. My understanding is that a godparent must declare themselves to be a Christian and makes a promise to ensure that the child has a Christian upbringing. You must ask yourself if this is what you really want to do, and if it is then you must ask yourself, as a pagan, why?.
It is lovely to be asked to be a godparent I am sure that the child parents think very highly of you to ask this. But what is more important to you, your own beliefs? or taking part in a Christian ritual and making statements and promises you are clearly not able to keep.

It will also be difficult to turn down as well for fear of hurting the people that want to put their trust in you, but you will be a better person for staying true to your own beliefs and convictions. Explain to them that you cannot in your heart take part in a Christian ritual, you dont need to explain why, but that the child will always have a special place in your life.

Gothchilde, if your friends are pagan and are having their baby christened purely to ensure a place in a particular school, well some may applaud them for their practicality, but the hypocrisy is almost beyond belief! Do you really want to take part in something SO shambolic? If the couple go ahead with the christeneing then may be pleased to know that it is not neccesary to actually have god parents for the event.

From: GothsChilde Sent: 24/02/2001 11:54 3 of 6
To be honest..they thought that too...but if they don't get her baptized the concequences will be dire. The local schools really are awful. Thanx for the info about not needing god-parents, she didn't know that...so ty.

From: munkipoo Sent: 24/02/2001 12:23 4 of 6
admit to your friends that you are pagan.......lying or not telling the whole truth will only make them think less of you......

think about it......'sorry i cant be a godparent because i cant be in a christian ritual for a reason im not gonna say'

that'd go down well

seriously if they are good friends and if u explain it well....as in dont just blurt it out one random day......work out what you want to say and like i say if they truly are good friends then they will accept it.......if they start running around screaming and trying to hide the rabbit and check you for knives just give them the 13 statements of belief drawn up in 73 or whenever and whatever

anyways .....yeah thats what id do

munki

From: madferrit Sent: 24/02/2001 15:39 5 of 6

If the local schools are so 'awful', does your friend know that you don't actually have to send your children to school? Home Education is every parent's right. Not many people ARE aware of this.

From: Ookster Sent: 25/02/2001 18:08 6 of 6

Something simple like-'It'd be hypocritical for me to do this because I never go to church'- or, 'I feel really uncomfortable declaring that I'll bring this child up as a christian when I am not a practising one myself'

If they're true friends they'll understand:) By using the above also you wouldn't have to declare yourself to be a witch either if you want to keep it secret. My friends know that I have a real problem with Christianity, so the above would work for me without disclosing too much, and let's be honest here-Christenings are ruddy awful affairs!!

ookster=^..^=