AIBU?
MIL christened/blessed my DC
jubaloo22 · 23/05/2011 19:27
With out me knowing?!
We were talking about the end of the world, good being saved thing on Saturday when MIL says she christened both my children when they were babies so they would be fine! When asked what she ment she said when she was looking after them she rubbed water over their heads in the shape of a cross and said "Jesus i give this baby to you... bla bla" .
Now reading this back its just made me laugh which i should really do, but, i'm not religious and if my children want to be they have the choice to when they're older. I made my point clear about this when they were young and its more of a how dare she! If i wanted to 'Give' my children to Jesus then i would of done it myself with a big party and lots of wine .
AIBU and should i just laugh about it as there not much i can do now anyway?
Seabright · 23/05/2011 19:30
Is she catholic? I am not, but I understand that catholics can baptize people (in emergencies?).
Hmm, not much you can do and I guess if you aren't a believer yourself, nothing really to worry about, specifically.
However, what worries me is she did something to the children and didn't tell you. Is that because she forgot or she knew you wouldn't approve? I guess I'd feel a bit odd around someone who thought it was OK to do what she thought was best, even though she knew I wouldn't want that.
as I was unaware of any recent ordination but couldnt be arsed to pursue it. pozzled · 23/05/2011 19:34
Yes, of course you should just laugh it off and ignore it, it doesn't mean anything.
But... I'd be bloody fuming. It would go against everything I believe and if I thought someone else had made that decision about my child without consulting me- I'd have a hard time forgetting it.
zukiecat · 23/05/2011 19:38
This reply has been deleted
Message withdrawn at poster's request.
TattyDevine · 23/05/2011 19:42
I would let it go. If you are not religious, then you dont believe it means anything anyway, and you didn't ask her to therefore you are not a hypocryte or declaring yourself anything other than non-religious. You had no part in it. Presumably she's not a vicar so it was even more pissweak-world-christening.
It would have had more impact on them if she'd cut their fringe.
That said, it was out of order in principle, for sure. She might be trying to wind you up a bit too.
HannahHack · 23/05/2011 19:44
Do laugh it off won't you? I baptised my DP with whiskey using the same doctrine.
The idea is that if a soul is in mortal danger someone who isn't a priest can baptise them. A common interpretation of this is if there is no chance they will get baptised then their soul is in mortal danger.
I'm a practicing catholic btw and I think this is barmy and rude. Not the first time I have heard of it ahppening though!
jordannarikki · 23/05/2011 19:48
As an aside, I think it's weird for anyone to christen a child on the child's behalf before they can really consent to it, to be honest.
No way would I christen a child without their consent - I'd wait til they were old enough to ask and support them if they wanted to do it. But I don't buy that it's a parents decision either.
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