To not go to this Christening?

[HolidaysMakeMeHappy]

Family member lives 2 hours away and I have just found out they are planning to have their dc christened. I am very surprised as neither parent attends church and they didn't get married in church.
The whole thing feels like a hypocritical farce, I don't think I can sit there and listen to them make promises they have no intention of keeping just for the sake of a party.

Swim in your own damn lane.

I would agree with you if your decision is not to go.

The only Tory MP I will probably ever thank is Gyles Brandreth, for introducing the Marriage Act, which meant places such as castles and hotels could host weddings, and those of little or no religious faith would be less likely to have weddings in a church.

@jonnyjanetkeogh Thank you very much for taking the time to explain

@Flakey99 I find it interesting you say on one hand that we can have our own faith as long as we don't pontificate on it, but then have no issue with bluntly slagging off other people's faith. I would remind you at no point have I questioned or mocked your belief, so perhaps the pontificating and ramming down throats is not coming from the side you might think. Certainly in this instance.
And for what it's worth I agree to an extent with what you are saying- it is not for any of us to push our beliefs on everyone around us. That includes those of no faith pushing their opinions on everyone too.

You're very welcome 😊

I don't go to any christenings. I definitely wouldn't travel 2 hours to go to one. I don't feel strongly, I just think they're boring and shit.

So just decline the invite.

If that is what they want to do and you are an active Christian surely this is a good thing, celebrate the child into your religion. Doesn't matter how religious the parents are.

Just because you want to make a mockery of it doesn’t change that.

I’m not mocking it. I’m being realistic. A shindig in a pub or a party would not be the same as a church christening. It’s about the occasion including the church bit in the same way a wedding is, or a funeral, for that matter.

I was brought up Catholic, went to Catholic schools & was made to go to mass weekly. Like all of my Catholic friends, we had our kids baptised Catholic. This was to please our still religious parents, get the kids into the fab Catholic primary, and for the sake of tradition. Our kids have received their sacraments as I did, but does it mean a jot to them spiritually? No. Does it mean they can get married in a Catholic Church if they choose to? Yes.

For most people, a christening is a social event. The best catholics I know would never preach or look down upon people without faith, nor disapprove of them being in church.

i mainly only go to christenings of people of faith ,but if it is a close family member I would compromise on my beliefs and go

You don't want to go, so don't go.
They're probably doing it for the party. Loads of people do it nowadays. I love a party, but none of my DC had a christening cos I couldn't be arsed and am not religious. I'd still go to a christening though, I think they're lovely and who am I to judge the parents decisions

I'm a Christian and this genuinely wouldn't bother me. A christening is a celebration of a small child whether people are celebrating for spiritual reasons or celebrating because they love a good family get together. I wouldn't let the fact some people are celebrating for different reasons prevent me from going and enjoying it.

A lot of parents are forced to get their children christened if they want to go to a good local school.

@Prescottdanni123 what would I be celebrating though? Listening to people making promises they have no intention of keeping?

I don't believe you become a Christian when you are baptised as an infant, probably why my own children weren't!

I don't want to derail the thread but I will answer in terms of the Catholic Church. I was raised Catholic and made all of the sacraments you described. Definitely don't want to use OP's post to debate Catholic v Protestant theology but to answer your question:

1)I don't believe in infant baptism-I think a believer's baptism is more Biblical and an outward sign of a person's commitment to God. I don't believe babies can consent. Baptism, Biblically, is a dying of the old self (going under water) and emerging the new (the regenerated spirit). It also represents Christ's resurrection in a way that sprinkling a baby with water doesn't. In Catholicism, holy water is washing away original sin. I believe that Christ's death on the cross covers the sin issue, and is therefore unnecessary. Protestant denominations of infant Baptism are generally welcoming a child into the congregation and wishing a blessing on them. I think that's fine.

2. Holy Communion: I don't believe in transubstantiation as it taught by thr RC Church. Communion in Protestant denominations is different.

3. in Confirmation, it is taught that this is the point at which the Holy Spirit will come upon a person. I believe that the Holy Spirit comes on the scene at the point at which someone forms a true relationship with God, through Jesus. Confirmation in Protestant denominations is more about the child being a fully fledged member of the church.

My issues isn't so much the doctrinal differences, but the religious apathy of the parents who go through with these things without believing any of it. In any case, whatever the background, I go, bring something to reflect the spiritual nature of the day, have a good time, and pray for the child and family.

Sorry if there are a million typos or of I haven't expressed myself well. I'm so tired!

I'm surprised by this. The parents might be hypocrites, but the child isn't. Surely as a religious person you want to welcome the child to the church?

I'm with you OP! Definitely hypocritical. A bit like pre-marriage where couples have to attend church five times. And they never go back.

@legalseagull
I don't consider an infant requires a formal welcome to the church..........they are welcome.

@HolidaysMakeMeHappy have you spoken to your family?

Surely if the vicar is happy you have no reason to judge?

One so far who has told our relative she thinks it's hypocritical and can't understand why it's happening.

Oh so you're not alone in your views within your family. That should make it easier not to go.

It's not about you, it's not about them, it is about an innocent baby. Maybe show a bit of Christian spirit and welcome this baby into the Christian family. Or you can be all judgemental and definitely don't dwell on Matthew 19:14

@jonnyjanetkeogh I find it interesting you say on one hand that we can have our own faith as long as we don't pontificate on it, but then have no issue with bluntly slagging off other people's faith. I would remind you at no point have I questioned or mocked your belief, so perhaps the pontificating and ramming down throats is not coming from the side you might think. Certainly in this instance.

I’m not the one forcing any agenda here. You asked me a direct question and I’ve answered in good faith…

The workings of the church of England are something alien to me. But I don't think they can refuse

What denomination are you and in which church is the proposed Christening?