To laugh at the request to be godparents

[Woollypullover]

My friend's daughter, who we've been very close to throughout her life, has asked me and DH to be her baby's godparents.

We're both atheists and of course, therefore, didn't have our own DC christened.

She knows all of this, but still asked.

AIBU to think this is a ridiculous request?

Yabu. Why is it ridiculous? It doesn't mean anything religious to many people. I am an atheist. I have 3 godchildren.

I didn't, neither did my muslim co godparent.

Say no by all means but why would you laugh at it?
Saying that just makes you sound rude and obnoxious.

What rubbish. There are no references to chocolate eggs in the bible. I'll celebrate in whatever cultural but non-religious manner I please tyvm. Christianity imposed its feast days on top of those of religions which went before, and it's no coincidence they derive from marking the solar cycle, vital for early agricultural societies to survive.

Eggs are a Christian symbol of rebirth. The egg is cold and stony, like the tomb from which Jesus rose.

Eggs are a symbol of fertility which one religion is now trying to claim ownership of.

Eggs are only cold and stony when abandoned or out of the fridge 😀 The bird spends a whole lot of time keeping them warm so they'll hatch. They are smooth and not really boulder-like at all.

It makes a lot more sense as the ancient symbol of fertility and spring that it was and is.

I do sometimes wonder whether those people who think it’s fine to sneer at, or mock anything Christian-related, would feel equally fine about sneering at/mocking any other religion, perhaps especially Islam, on a public forum.

I don’t suppose I’m the only one who often suspects a prime case of double standards.

Those who sneer at religion will do so on a public forum, it doesn't matter which religion, they are open about how stupid it all is and laugh. They will even blaspheme, thinking nothing of it because, to them, iti is not blasphemy. I have come across that frequently online and, occasionally, in real life.

Not all people who are agnostic or atheist do that. They respect the right of others to believe as they choose and are sensitive to their feelings.

There are good kind people and some who are far less so.

No religion has any good evidence behind it. All religions are nonsense. Islam is nonsense.

But aren't Christians supposed to turn the other cheek?

A Christian country with no Christians. What a stupid concept.

Christmas cards with snowmen on and the legend "Seasons Greetings" aren't in any sense Christian. Christmas hijacked the winter solstice. Our primitive urge to defy the darkest day of the year with food and light and celebration has far more reasonable than the story about the baby and the manger.

I don't think laughing is unreasonable, as the request is so bizarre.
like when we got engaged, one of my husbands family members asked which church we would get married at. I'm openly Pagan and he's an atheist (with an interest in Buddhism) they knew this. so it was funny. neither of us ever attend a church.
we had a handfasting in a stone circle, followed up by the legal bit beside a subterranean lake by candlelight, in a disused slate mine.
it's baffling and funny that anyone would assume we'd get married in a church. because the situation was so absurd.
the same if we were asked to be Godparents. I'd tell them I could swear to be there for them, support them and help them find their own path. but I could not swear to raise them in a religion I don't believe in.

Sounds like a hoot.

And that's why my kids aren't christened.

It's so hypocritical as many godparents stand up in church and make various promises about walking with them in the way of Christ and helping them take their place within the life and worship of the church, yet they never go to church (and neither do the parents).

A lot of christenings (not all) are just an excuse for a party!

I always said my kids can make their own minds up when they are older!

I think most people see this as putting in place people they trust to take care of their child if anything should happen to them, I don’t think it has the religious connections and connotations that it once did. I would be very touched and honoured to be asked as they clearly trust you and respect your values.

60% of Londoners are not British. When it reaches 100%, will it be a stupid concept for London to still be the capital of England, and the first city of the UK?

Eggs are symbolism - they don't need to be mentioned in the Bible to be associated with Easter. They are made of chocolate because it is (used to be) a rare treat and an indulgence after fasting for lent.

surely it's an honour to be asked to be someone's child's godparent regardless of religion or not. It means they trust to you to do right for their child.

I can't think why anyone would be so rude to laugh at it.

That's a valid point. If 100% of the residents of the capital of the UK no longer subscribe to the values that underpin the UK's government (Christian values) then one would wonder how this was allowed to happen.
However, not being British does not equal not being Christian - category error.

Sorry, @MasterBeth who said there were no Christians in Britain?

They're associated with pre-Christian celebrations of spring and fertility.

The seasonal festivals were absorbed into Christian tradition as it gained popularity, cos it's easier to adopt and adapt these things than eradicate them.

For non-religious people, I would expect "godparent" to simply be shorthand for formally recognising the person chosen by the parents to stand in loco parentis - should the need ever arise. Personally, I think it is meaningful and sweet that the friend's daughter has asked OP to be her child's LP.

I don't really see a need to object to the word itself. No one reads a fairytale and thinks the "fairy godmother" is secretly trying to preach Christianity with a bibbidi-bobbidi-boo wave of her magic wand.

It's not a 'in loco parentis' shorthand, it's a shorthand for who's the parent's friend/who they want presents from.

Then refuse tge offer graciously and move on pls...