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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to not consider christening our child just because its "nice".

29 replies

theressomethingaboutmarie · 26/06/2007 16:09

Elderly FIL is getting quite excited about our impending arrival. My DH is his only son and our baby will be the first baby in the family for over 20 years so I can understand his excitement. DH told me that FIL has dug out christening gowns from the loft in preparation. In preparation for what? Apparently, FIL is quite convinced that we will christen our child?!

We got married in a (beautiful and moving) civil ceremony and are both agnostic so have never displayed any Christian faith previously. When I discussed it with DH, he seemed to be seeing his dad's point on christenings being a lovely family celebration. FIL said that unless our child was christened, s/he would not have a name in the House of the Lord.

Now, FIL doesn't pray, doesn't display any Christian faith at all and doesn't go to church. Surely getting a child christened if you genuinely don't believe, as DH and I don't, is hypocritical and just an excuse for a family gathering?

OP posts:
purpleturtle · 26/06/2007 16:12

I agree that it sounds like an excuse for a family gathering - but who needs an excuse? If you don't want to christen your baby, then why not just have a family party anyway?

devonsmummy · 26/06/2007 16:12

i'm with you on this one. I refused to marry in church as not religious at all DH bit miffed by this. DS not going to be christened but have thought of having naming ceremony - do you this that would pacify FIL??

LordVenger · 26/06/2007 16:11

Hey man, I was forced to have a Greek Orthodox christening for my DD1, which I wept through from a combination of aestheism and impotent rage. Six years later, though, when we needed to get our kid into the local Catholic school, we were quids in. It's swings and roundabouts

ejt1764 · 26/06/2007 16:10

yanbu .... you could have a naming ceremony instead - that would give the excuse for a family gathering if you want one!