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?

Godparents vow (with the parents) to bring the child to church and to encourage them to be confirmed when they are older. They also vow to pray for them and encourage them in learning about the Christian faith.

Of course it's religious! Have you read the words said by the priest?. The Godparents vows?

I couldn’t agree to be a godparent either. But is the role also about being a parent/guardian if both the parents die? I think you can be clear that you’re there for the child and them as a family - but you’re not religious so there would be nothing godly about it.

I think it’s a bit odd she’s having them christened if not religious. Me and DH are religious and had our children christened. We did ask a set of friends to be godparents for our second child who we know aren’t religious but are our dearest friends. They gladly accepted and said they were very honoured. I wouldn’t have been offended if they’d politely declined as they are atheists but I would have been a hurt if they’d laughed at us.

I wouldn't do it myself (lifelong atheist). It's such rubbish!

I think it's disrespectful to alienate people from their cultural heritage, family and friends on the basis of personal belief.

Edited to respond to your edit. We most certainly are a Christian country with a head of state who is head of church and faith leaders sitting and voting in the house of Lords.

You are correct.

It does seem odd, but to say you want to laugh at her is rather unkind, and rude.

I hope she sees this thread and retracts the offer pretty soon.

Godparents are asked if they renounce the Devil and all his works. If they can't answer that in the affirmative, they shouldn't be there.

In my church (church of Ireland) it didn’t matter if godparents were christened or not.

Declining the offer to be a godparent because you are not religious is not alienating anyone from anything.

I would be happy to go to witness the Christening of a friend's child. I would not be happy to seriously pledge to encourage that child to follow a religion I don't believe in.

It’s certainly rude and disrespectful to laugh. You can politely decline. At the same time, I do find it mind boggling that educated people can still believe in god and religion.

This.

My very atheist SIL is a Godmother and I find it the most contradictory thing. We are religious and I find it disrespectful, especially as she is very opinionated on her views. I think it’s better to be an honorary aunty rather than Godmother if it’s not a religious position.

But is the role also about being a parent/guardian if both the parents die?

No it isn't. Not at all @Pumpkins89 . The role is to be a spiritual guide to the godchild. A legal guardian is a different role. Basically, godparents do not have legal rights while guardians do.

There seem to be a few posters on here who are under the misapprehension that being a godparent is the same as being a legal guardian.

Don't do that then.

Didn't take long for the bigotry to set in. 🙄

Newsflash, people who believe in God and Religion really don't give a stuff that you find it 'mind boggling.'

Yes, the laws and political structure of the country is historically Christian.

But the majority of the actual people of the country are not now Christian.

Don't do it then. It's not difficult. Why do some people have to make such a massive song and dance about stuff.

I think it's much more fun (for some) to make a thread on the internet mocking Religion, than to just quietly and politely decline the request to be a Godparent.

I won't. But it isn't disrespectful.

I always thought this was more to do with, who's going to have our child if we die in a car accident. Nothing really to do with church in today's day and age.

Well it sure beats being a judgemental atheist who starts a thread to laugh at a friend's daughter that's for sure.

In my opinion, like you, just expressing it!

Interestingly, most of the congregation at our local church are intelligent professionals or retired professionals - doctors, lawyers, accountants etc.

All people capable of logical and rational thought.

No, that is the role of a legal guardian not a godparent.