To get DDs christened and not tell dad?

[purpleframe]

We've been split since DD twins were babies. They're now 7. They see their dad twice a year and he lives hundreds of miles away. He is staunchly atheist and would never agree to a christening.
I've had a baby with my partner (been together for years) and we'd like to get all the kids christened together. DDs do a lot of religious education at school and would be keen.
Basically if I ask for exH permission, he'd definately say no. But frankly- he puts so little effort in (contact maybe once a month on skype between visits) that I'm inclined to do it anyway, even though I know it would be against his wishes. I know I'm probably BU (and ironically that this doesn't feel like a very 'Christian' thing to do!) But I'd really like to do it.

Sorry, I'm having a rotten day and feeling far too cynical.

I think some non religious people genuinely do like the tradition of it in the same way that they might choose to get married in a church. Our vicar encourages them to have a thanksgiving service instead. That's much more appropriate in my view. The family still have a ceremony giving thanks for the baby but without the promises to bring the child up in the church that they don't have any intention of keeping.

That's a nice idea

I think it is more seen as a traditional thing. Something you do rather than something you want.

Like I said, mine aren't christened, and I wasn't married in a church. So it doesn't mean a thing to me.

I think YABU.

Rather than thumb printing your children, why don't you let them choose when they're old enough?

Monkey "It would be harder to find a better way to utterly disrespect your children's father and everything he believes in"

Everything he believes in being? You see there isn't any middle ground if he strongly believes there is no God.

The OP might have felt she couldn''t take them to church or a faith school. But she does, thankfully she is making choices for the children in her care based on her own beliefs.

"If he was muslim or hindu would people be giving the same response??!!"

I don't know about people but I would, yes, in these circumstances.

"Why are atheists not awarded any awareness or respect for their beliefs"

I am not sure what respect you expect this atheist to receive. This atheist, who has had an affair, moved 100s of miles away and rarely sees his children. His opportunity to influence his children has been strongly limited by his own actions, not by any lack of respect for atheists.