Dilemma about becoming a godparent...

[Kardan]

Me and my girlfriend have recently been asked to become godparents to a pair of twins within our family. We are both thrilled to be asked, but I have a slight issue.

We've been wondering whether you have to be christened yourself, to become a godparent. We've checked over the net, and it seems to vary from church to church, so essentially we would have to inquire to whoever is in charge of these sorts of things.

Neither me or my girlfriend are christened, and we both consider ourselves to be non-religious.

My girlfriend would happily be baptized if needed in order to become a godparent, I however, would not.

I feel very strongly about my non-religious views. Imagine a Christian that says they are against homosexuality. They don't hate gay people, they just wouldn't be gay themselves. This is how I see myself with religion. I'm not against religious people, but being religious for me is absolutely against the question, and I would never be baptized.

Of course, this presents a problem for myself... And I'm worried I'll offend my family member by putting my non-religious beliefs before their children, even though I'm honoured to be asked.

If I don't have to be baptized, I'll happily be their godparent.

So... Any ideas/thoughts? :/

[Red]

Probably depends on the church, although the whole point is that you vow you are going to encourage the child's christian faith, which isn't gonna happen if its something you don't believe in.

[FlyingJesus]

I thought it just meant that if the parents pop their clogs you get lumbered with the kid

[Kardan]

I thought it just meant that if the parents pop their clogs you get lumbered with the kid

That's what I thought it meant too, but I'm pretty sure that it doesn't mean anything legally (anymore at least) and the parents will go to their next of kin anyway, which isn't us. (Plus, they already have a daughter, and she has different godparents to her twin sisters, and they aren't even a couple - so if their parents did die, that will make things really complicated if it did work like that).

The person who asked me to be a godparent isn't even Christian herself, I'm pretty sure she just uses 'godparent' as more of a title as anything really. She doesn't practice Christianity herself anyway.

[FlyingJesus]

Yeah prob just something they want because it sounds cool maybe you could just call yourself GODLESS HEATHEN OVERSEERS instead

[Samantha]

I'd just query with the church it's at, I know for a wedding it's the same - if one of you is christened then the other one who isn't can be married in the church, but this again varies from church to church. Also, this might be similar, if only one needs to be christened too as your girlfriend would do it if you get me? Anyhow I would just ask and see!

[e5]

That's how I see god parenting atm, just a title given to someone who chooses you to be god parents. surely you shouldnt have to be baptized

That's what I thought it meant too, but I'm pretty sure that it doesn't mean anything legally (anymore at least) and the parents will go to their next of kin anyway, which isn't us. (Plus, they already have a daughter, and she has different godparents to her twin sisters, and they aren't even a couple - so if their parents did die, that will make things really complicated if it did work like that).

The person who asked me to be a godparent isn't even Christian herself, I'm pretty sure she just uses 'godparent' as more of a title as anything really. She doesn't practice Christianity herself anyway.

[Daltron]

I think it depends on the Church cause I have seen my godparents like once in my life lol

[-:Undertaker:-]

I don't see why you'd object but hey thats your stance.

I'm sure if the Church would prefer you be baptized and you said no, they'd bend for it? worth a shot.

[Phil]

It's an interesting topic I guess. My girlfriend isn't religious at all and she claims that she's not going to have godparents for her child. Typically speaking their supposed to be a 'spiritual guide' or whatnot but I don't know of any situation where that has been the case :S