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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

for thinking christenings are

90 replies

Samcro · 26/08/2019 16:52

out of fashion now? was just randomly thinking about them and realised how long ago I last went to one.

OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 26/08/2019 16:56

I think you are right. The last one I went to was in 1998.

I was not christened and my two DC aren't either.

Sexnotgender · 26/08/2019 16:57

I went to one yesterday. It was lovely.

AE18 · 26/08/2019 16:58

I think less people are christening their babies when they're not actually practising Christians, which I think is a good thing really.

Ponoka7 · 26/08/2019 16:58

Not were i live. I last went to one in May.

My GC were done last year.

Sparklingbrook · 26/08/2019 17:00

I have noticed also that there's now a trend for weddings to be at purpose built venues rather than at churches.

I think being christened should be down to personal choice and you can't do that until you are older.

troppibambini · 26/08/2019 17:03

Nope christenings still done a lot in this area (very catholic) there are two every Sunday at our church and
there is around a four month wait to get them done.

redexpat · 26/08/2019 17:05

Maybe theyre happening but youre not invited.

BeanBag7 · 26/08/2019 17:07

Yes they're certainly on the decline. Most people my age (late 20s) seem to be christened whereas those my children's age are not. Half my friends don't know who their godparents are and have never been to church since.

I think it used to be the "done thing", whether you were a practising Christian or not. Like having a wedding or funeral in a church. Nowadays people are a lot more open about not being religious so it's more accepted to have a non-Christian marriage service and not get kids christened.

I think it's a good thing. I dont like the idea of kids having religion foisted upon them.

BendydickCuminsnatch · 26/08/2019 17:08

Only 2 families I know who have christened their kids:

  1. practising Christians
  2. atheists whose parents wanted the children christened ‘for schools’ - although the children go to the local normal school. C of E but not selective in any way.

I wasn’t christened and nor are my children.

Groovee · 26/08/2019 17:11

A number of my friends have had their children dedicated but not invited anyone unless they don't attend their church.

ParkheadParadise · 26/08/2019 17:13

There is usually a christening every couple of weeks in the chapel, when I've been at mass.
I've been to 3 in the last couple of months.

Fudgenugget · 26/08/2019 17:15

My dd, and all nieces and nephews remain unchristened.

Db and I were christened in the late 70s/early 80s more out of tradition than faith. My parents aren't bothered about religion. I am a staunch atheist. I think it's dying out in my family, definitely.

squeekums · 26/08/2019 17:15

Dd isn't christened nor has god parents
I don't know anyone who had a christening

Never been to a church wedding either.

People are turning away from religion

Lowlandlucky · 26/08/2019 17:18

All of mine were Christened at 6 weeks in a family gown brought from Greece over 100 years ago, all of them were carried to the church ( they have to be walked not driven, maternal tradition !). First childs Christening cake was the top tier of my Wedding cake.
So far only 1 DGC has been christened, she wasdone as soon as she was born because she was very early,them done again at 4 months

sirfredfredgeorge · 26/08/2019 17:23

Even in 1980, only 1 in 3 kids was christened, now it's less than 1 in 12, and more of those are of older kids, it's been a continuous decline for ages, unless you are involved in a church community, it's quite unlikely that you'll be invited.

MsSquiz · 26/08/2019 17:24

Christenings definitely aren't "out of fashion" SIL is a vicar and she has at least 1 a month. And in the last 2 years I have been to 4 (godparent at 2)

Camomila · 26/08/2019 17:24

I had DS baptised and I’ve been to a fair amount of church weddings and baptisms - DH and I are both from Catholic’s countries and went ti Catholic’s schools though!

We’ve also been to a humanist and a pagan naming ceremony which were both lovely and outdoors.

thecatsthecats · 26/08/2019 17:30

Christenings definitely aren't "out of fashion" SIL is a vicar and she has at least 1 a month. And in the last 2 years I have been to 4 (godparent at 2)

I would hazard a guess that more than one baby a month is born in her parish. And that you know of more than four babies born in the past 2 years.

Less than half of the babies I know born in the same period were christened.

Rachie1973 · 26/08/2019 17:31

My grandson is being christened next Sunday :)

codenameduchess · 26/08/2019 17:47

The only people I know who christen their children are grabby CFs in it for presents (and shameless about it)... but that's only 2 families. I don't think I know any practising Christians or anyone who christens for religious reasons.

I'm christened because it was the done thing back then, of 4 godparents I've seen 1 in the last 20 years. Never been to church particularly and haven't had/won't have my own DC christened because it's hypocritical.

I think with the decline of religion in our society christenings and religious ceremonies are becoming redundant. I have to bite my tongue any time I'm invited to a religious ceremony for non-practising people.

MamaFlintstone · 26/08/2019 17:49

I’ve been to plenty of baptisms in the past few years and had DD baptised, but I have catholic family and friends and go to church regularly so it wasn’t people doing it to be “fashionable” anyway Hmm

TheFaerieQueene · 26/08/2019 17:51

Let’s hope so.

Original poster
Samcro · 26/08/2019 17:55

Redexpat, you could be right, but the family ones,I doubt it.

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 26/08/2019 17:58

I think a lot of non religious parents are moving away from christenings and opting for baby showers instead.

Elphame · 26/08/2019 17:59

Let’s hope so

Indeed. Let them be baptised once they are are old enough to choose for themselves.