To refuse to let the kids go their own christening?

[ProudMamaBear92]

So long story short I’m not religious but from a Christian background. DH is not from UK but is Christian orthodox family. Though rarely ever goes to church nor lives a devout life 😑.

he wants to christen the kids, I’d rather not but said if it’s important to him he can, I’ll go along with it. He can organise it as it’s something he wants, but my ONLY stipulation is no undressing and submersion of the kids.

We went to a nephews christening and the poor boy was publicly stripped naked and dunked in a barrel. I found it horrifying to watch and the child was inconsolable for a long while after. I disagree with it massively, it feels humiliating and a bit abusive to me.

Next year a cousin of DH is getting married abroad and the whole huge family is going. BIL and DH want to christen all the kids together, we have two they have two. Sure, makes sense. Bride is fine with us piggybacking her wedding week I did check with her.

They are insisting on orthodox ceremony, fine, but I’m insisting the priest mustn’t strip and dunk my kids.

They said maybe he will?! I’m repeating myself with this and just kind of getting shrugged off. There’s a language barrier also to work around and I feel I’m left out of the conversations ALOT. DH will never disagree with his brother, or his dad. History has proven it.

If they don’t take my wishes seriously, AIBUto just refuse to let the kids go full stop? Take the passports and refuse to let them leave the UK? Or just cause a massive scene at the christening?? What do I do??

They'll be 2 and 4
Not 12 and 14.

If you'd been to a bris, you'd know why I am asking you in relation to this thread and the comments you have made.

Absolutelyfuckingnot

Id be horrified if any church would baptise your child when you have told them you do not consent.

My husband is catholic, I am not. Our DD was baptised and I was actually very comforted by the fact that the priest asked me on several occasions if I was happy to go ahead.

Yes, they'll be 2 and 4. What would be your answer to the question I asked above about a reception child being stripped naked in front of the class as a rite of passage into school? Is that ok if it's what the school has always done?

Okay, well I haven't, so... What might I see there that would persuade me it's okay to strip a child naked against their will?

No chance I’d do this but I despise everything to do with religion

You'd think.

But wrap it in religion, and you'd be amazed what you can get away with.

I'm not into that sort of baptism but I think it's emotive to talk about 'stripping a child naked'. According to a pp ,a 3 year old chld was in her underwear for this ceremony as she was too old to be naked.I remember doing PE at school in my vest and pants when I was seven, which I didn't like, but very much doubt if I would have been upset at two or four.
I thinkmost people objecting are peoople who don't like religion anyway.

But we're specifically talking about the children being stripped naked. That's what OP said happened to her nephew and may happen to her kids. That's the exact issue.

. According to a pp ,a 3 year old chld was in her underwear for this ceremony

And that makes it OK ?

So many posters getting worked up about "strip them naked",when we really don't know much about what will happen, especally whether the children would actually be in their underclothes.

Yes, most likely.

Then I suggest you scroll on by.

This is not normal, people are just indoctrinated into it and defensive of their beliefs. It's not normal to strip a child naked in front of a crowd of people and dunk them under water. It's paedophilia and child abuse masked by "culture" and religion.

You can see it in other people's religions, child marriages, circumcisions etc

I would protect my children from this as I would protect them from their uncle and grandfather trying to see them naked under all other circumstances.

He is not going to change this tradition for your child. I understand why you wouldn’t want this. Say no, you are either in or out.
I had my children christened in a Catholic ceremony, they don’t remove any clothing and only wet the baby’s head.
I watched a few of those orthodox Christian christenings, it’s a bit extreme.

So many posters getting worked up about "strip them naked"

And thank fuck for that. We all have a duty to prevent child abuse. Which is exactly what this is.

It sounds like those born again Christian whackjobs 😂😂 I remember the priest just pouring some water on our heads when I got baptized this doesn't seem right

Who cares if it's offensive. It is child abuse, the same as circumcision or refusing blood transfusions for your child.

It's not unreasonable to do anything you need to in order to prevent your children being publicly abused and humiliated.

With all the known pedophiles at church I wouldn't want my kid taking their clothes off for some guy or thinking that's ok and dandy

The real difficulties come when one parent with PR says no, but the other say yes (or vice versa).

Agree with this. It’s why child abuse is rife within religious communities.

Lots of obedient people willing to follow the religious authorities rules and practices, without putting their child and their safety first.

Get a court involved.

Even my church wouldn't do that! It's full immersion but always clothed. That sounds horrible and I wouldn't let anyone do that to my kids.

You're their mum... You have a choice to stop them..
Like hell would I allow this...

I believe it is traditional in some orthodox denominations.

Religion has always been used as an excuse for unacceptable, usually controlling, behaviour. Surely we can put a stop to all this now.

I am so tired of practices (like circumcision of babies) that would otherwise attract an assault charge being covered by the religious protections argument.

Every religion should be under the rule of law.

I am sick of having to tiptoe around religion.

Let people believe what they will; but they must also be subject to the law.