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Original poster

Do all black people christen their children?

18 replies

anonymoooose · 27/07/2022 02:54

Morning all
I have three children (21, 10 and 2)
None of them are christened
I was christened along with my brother when I was 9 and my Nan was more religious than my mum so I went to church with her.

There's no major reason I haven't done it except for the fact I've never belonged to a church in my adult life. I have started going to church about 5 months ago but I have noticed that most of the people I know (friends, family, work peeps) get their baby christened within the first year.
My 10 year olds dad wanted a massive party and I wasn't really up for that so it got pushed to the side

Am I the only black person to not have done this?

OP posts:
LadyKenya · 27/07/2022 10:10

Of course not. As I am sure you know, black people do not all think, act, behave, yada yada, all the same.

Original poster
anonymoooose · 27/07/2022 12:23

@LadyKenya lol yes I know. It’s just most of the people I’ve come across have and I get quite negative responses when I say I haven’t 🤦🏽‍♀️

OP posts:
EV117 · 27/07/2022 12:26

I going out on a limb in saying black muslims don’t… so the easy assumption is no.

superram · 27/07/2022 12:27

Probably just black Christians that actually go to church.

britneyisfree · 27/07/2022 12:32

I haven't done.

Also in my family we don't do christenings but all the babies except mine - she was born just before covid and I ended up not bothering, which I honestly feel dreadful about and will probably do it at some point - are blessed by about 8 months old. It's similar to a christening but no water involved as the belief is babies can't sin and therefore don't need to be cleansed.

Needmorelego · 27/07/2022 12:35

Most of the black families I am friends with are Muslim.

Needmorelego · 27/07/2022 12:35

Most of the black families I am friends with are Muslim.

LadyKenya · 27/07/2022 12:39

anonymoooose · 27/07/2022 12:23

@LadyKenya lol yes I know. It’s just most of the people I’ve come across have and I get quite negative responses when I say I haven’t 🤦🏽‍♀️

I understand, it would maybe be unusual if you had been a churchgoer, bringing your children up from young in the church, and not getting them christened.

RedWingBoots · 27/07/2022 12:52

superram · 27/07/2022 12:27

Probably just black Christians that actually go to church.

Nope one of my siblings and their spouse have been going to Church at least once a week since I can remember them being together. Their church doesn't christen children - they will only baptise older teenagers and adults. The church is very involved in the local community and will help you regardless of religion.

There as another sibling who found God to get their kids into a CofE school, kids are christened. What's funny now is that the CofE have changed their policy on admissions in lots of areas, so there is no need for you to go to their Church, any church or in fact follow any religion at all.

Then again not all my family are Christian anyway......

Original poster
anonymoooose · 27/07/2022 14:20

Thanks for your replies. I just thought I’d see what others on here were saying as I feel like I’m the only one lol

My son’s father doesn’t attend church or even own a bible but he wanted a christening. Seems more like the for the party aspect especially when I saw his first sons christening photos 🙄

Apologies for forgetting about black Muslim people who don’t do this

@superram - I have a couple friends who don’t regularly go to church yet christened their child quite soon.

OP posts:
Original poster
anonymoooose · 27/07/2022 14:23

@britneyisfree - ohhh ok I will see if my church does blessings instead then. I haven’t heard of this
thank you.

OP posts:
ShimmyYaYaYay · 27/07/2022 14:28

My two are 15 and 3. Neither are christened.

None of my nieces or nephews are christened either and it's mainly because 1. We don't attend a church and 2. We don't want the bug hoo har parade after.

Would love to have them blessed though.

Original poster
anonymoooose · 27/07/2022 16:22

@ShimmyYaYaYay oh yes.
The big hoo ha is a put off for me too. No matter how much people say “oh just do something little”, it’s never little lol

OP posts:
ohgosh01 · 27/07/2022 23:30

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

MuddlerInLaw · 28/07/2022 10:21

I’m not even slightly religious (despite having been christened in a previous century) but I’m very much in favour of having some formal ceremony of welcome into the world for babies.

The early years of a child’s life can be so challenging for parents - it can only be positive to invite your friends and family to cement their relationship with the new arrival. Not for the sake of gifts, but rather for ongoing love and support.

Original poster
anonymoooose · 28/07/2022 11:45

@MuddlerInLaw awww yes that is lovely.
I feel a kind of way that my three didn't have that in their early years 😫

OP posts:
mamatravels · 13/08/2022 14:35

I didn't christen mine, and it was the only time i felt any family pressure about not being christian.... I just cant reconcile hIstory and why we would ever want to be aligned with religion that has been used against us ( recognise that is a completely different conversation)

KentuckyDerbyandJoan · 17/08/2022 00:56

No because Black people are not a homogeneous group. Do what is right for your family.

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