To wonder why non religious people get their babies christened?

[Topsyshair]

Before anyone gets very offended, I do realise that it's entirely up to the parents what they do.

I just wonder the reasoning behind it. I know a few people who are not religious at all, never set foot in a church unless to attend a wedding, yet have their babies christened.

What puzzles me more is some of these people claim to have no money and be very poor but pay for a christening do.

I think it comes down to tradition. I was raised within a fairly Christian family - mum attended church and is still very active within it. Dad was (is) a a complete athiest! As kids we went to Sunday School and stopped around 12/13 when our friends became more important. Out of all 4 siblings, only one got married in Church. She is the same one to have had all her kids christened and she now takes them to activities at church such as Messy Church, but they don't go to worship as such. The rest of us have had non traditional and non religious weddings and haven't had our kids christened. Personally I don't see the point in making vows or promises to or in front of a god that I don't believe in, so why bother!

In my church, we offer a blessing ceremony if the parents aren’t Christian and don’t feel they can make the baptismal vows.
Baptisms are carried out as part of the normal Sunday service. They’re only expensive if people want a flashy party afterwards!
I see some PPs are criticising infant baptism because the babies didn’t choose it for themselves. I think you misunderstand the role of baptism. It’s the parents who vow to raise their child in a Christian home. The child isn’t committed to anything personally, unless and until it chooses to undergo Confirmation as an adult.
In some sects, baptism itself is performed as an adult, as it was in Jesus’ day, from John the Baptist onwards.
My MIL was in a Japanese concentration camp during WW2, and missed out on her adult baptism. She was eventually baptised and her own son (my DH) stood as her godfather!
In my own Church of Scotland, the entire congregation stand as godparents to each baby, and vow to help it grow in the love and values of Christ. It always brings a tear to my eye when we sing “the Lord bless thee and keep thee” to the new baby. It’s a lovely sense of community when the whole village congregation welcomes a new addition to “our” family.

It's the same as people putting on a formal wedding in a giant white frock when they have been together for years. Because they want to! Any opportunity for a landmark celebration. And why ever not?

It’s like why do non religious people celebrate Christmas.

We’re in this camp. In our case the deeply held beliefs of my DPIL trumped my lack of religion.

It’s like why do non religious people celebrate Christmas

It's not at all like that. Christmas is a mostly secular holiday that is culturally based and long precedes the religions that seek to claim it, that entire countries celebrate as a sort of national holiday.
Christening is an individual choice to join a specific religion.

It's not in any way similar.

In some sects, baptism itself is performed as an adult, as it was in Jesus’ day, from John the Baptist onwards

@Babadoc Do you regard the Church of Scotland as a sect? Such an unusual word and generally used in a rather derogatory sense, a bit like cult is. I wouldn't refer to the Baptist Church as a sect any more than I would the C of S.

I think it's actually very disrespectful to the church to present yourself as a believer to facilitate a party or school attendance if you don't believe

I think it's actually very disrespectful to the church to present yourself as a believer to facilitate a party or school attendance if you don't believe

That maybe true, but in the case of school attendance, the system is highly discriminatory towards non religious/low to medium earners. So shrug

If the system doesnt respect you, why should you respect the system?

she now takes them to activities at church such as Messy Church, but they don't go to worship as such

Messy Church is Worship.

I really hope the people christening their children out of 'tradition' or for a family party don't then go online and mock Christians for believing in 'flying spaghetti monsters' or 'fairies' etc.

I agree with glintandglide; it used to be much more the custom to "get the baby done", when there were fewer other options such as naming ceremonies; whether people are religious or not, they want to mark the arrival of a new person into the wider families, plus partying!
Much in the same way, my staunchly atheist auntie was married in church, because not many other options were available then, apart from registry offices, which were not quite the thing. Her son, my cousin, married in a lovely country mansion licensed for weddings, seeing no need to marry in church.
And schools of course. Haven't you heard the saying, "On your knees to save the fees"? And if the school is over-subscribed, the christening needs to be fairly soon after the happy arrival; belatedly coming to Jesus after checking the OFSTED ratings will not fit the bill.

XP who is not at all religious though he claims to be Christian very devoted, wanted to do it as it was very important to him and his Mum.

I didn't care either way. It was a nice day, small party, no expense.

I avoid religious schools and i am annoyed with the levels of Christianity preached to DC at their council school.

Perhaps because some people's faith is on a moving spectrum, at least agnostic. But in terms of their children, they are nodding to tradition, don't see who they're harming and don't want to see their kid excluded. Why does anyone believe/ do stuff with a church? Because some parts appeal to them for some reason.

I didn't! They can choose their own religion.

Do you regard the Church of Scotland as a sect? Such an unusual word and generally used in a rather derogatory sense, a bit like cult is. I wouldn't refer to the Baptist Church as a sect any more than I would the C of S

Notwithstanding your feelings on it, its not inaccurate to use the word sect. It accurately describes either the CoS or Baptists in the context used.

The children of declared atheists don't really have the opportunity to decide for themselves whether or not they want to believe in a God. So for me it was about not forcing my own views

But this is nonsense. The children of atheists can get baptised when they grow up, if they decide they want to believe in the wizard in the sky or whatever. They can't unbaptise themselves. Your argument makes no sense! I'm a humanist but my son can absolutely choose his own path.

The children of declared atheists don't really have the opportunity to decide for themselves whether or not they want to believe in a God

They literally have the best opportunity. You think the kids of muslims, or fundamentalists christians of any sect have a better chance?

We were debating it for reasons of tradition but it didn’t feel right. I won’t lie though, I did check admissions criteria for our excellent local church school. It is all done on distance but if it hasn’t have been I’d have joined the hypocrite camp and attended as required. If admissions to good schools are open to gaming, people will do whatever it takes.

When my mother was getting married she had to ‘join’ her local church (she had been brought up as a Christian). Her friend decided she would join the church too so along they went together. My mothers friend wasn’t christened and the minister said ‘no problem come with me and i’ll sort you out’ He just christened her there and then. Therefor you don’t need to christen your children to allow them to join the church or get married in a church. The church welcomes all and will christen believers as required. I am a non believer and my best friend is a former roman catholic atheist.