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Original poster

What's like godparents role but for non-religious?

13 replies

apples82 · 20/09/2011 11:34

DH and I are expecting our first LO, i'm 36+1, and we were discussing last night about asking one of each of our siblings to have a godparent type role in the babies life. Neither of us are religious, so we won't be getting the baby christened and therefore technical godparents is out.

How do non-religious folk give out a role like that and what is it called?

I'm lost at where to start with this Confused

OP posts:
SpottyWellies · 20/09/2011 11:35

In the civil baby naming ceremonies I have attended we have had the title of 'supporter'.
HTH

kat2504 · 20/09/2011 11:45

I have done this for a close friend. They picked four close friends (two men two women) who they thought would definitely be involved in the child's life. They used the word "guardians" which I don't really like personally but never mind. Supporters sounds good. My friends have ended up referring to us as godparents now but obviously no christening ever took place, just a ceremonial back garden party.
I think most people pick close family friends. IMO the siblings already have a role as they are uncle/auntie.

icravecheese · 20/09/2011 11:52

we had civil naming ceremonies for our babies & the 'godparents' were called supporting guardians....was a lovely ceremony at the local registry office & then all back to ours for a party. The supporting guardians did readings, there was a proper little ceremony, really nice. I know some people say what's the point in it as it doesnt have any legal standing but it was a lovely way to celebrate baby's arrival with family & friends.

kat2504 · 20/09/2011 12:09

Oh that is nice that they do it in the registry office now! I'll bear that in mind for myself. My friends just did their own party at home but something official a bit like a christening but without the religion sounds really nice.

SpottyWellies · 20/09/2011 14:05

Also, the ceremonies I have been to have not been at the registry office but at the parents choice of venue....still the 'formal' ceremony presided over by the 'celebrant' with readings/promises etc...they were really lovely.

snazaroo · 20/09/2011 14:07

Why would you do this if you aren't religious?

worldgonecrazy · 20/09/2011 14:14

I'm a naming celebrant and though most that we do have pagan overtones, we also do secular/non religious namings. The godparents are either called "godparents", "guardians", "sponsors". My daughter has a 'spirit mother' because that is the name that the person in the equivalent position of godmother wanted to be called.

kat2504 · 20/09/2011 14:17

People who aren't religious get married in the registry office! I know that has a legal significance and naming a baby doesn't. But it gives you the chance to have a formal ceremony for the baby instead of a christening.
Just because lots of people are not religious any more does not mean that they don't want to formally celebrate the key events of their lives.

Crosshair · 20/09/2011 14:27

I like the idea of a naming ceremony, its seems like a nice way to celebrate baby with friends and family.

ButHeNeverDid · 20/09/2011 14:39

Why not wait til DC are older?

A friend of my DH asked him to be a sort of godparent to his DS when the DS was about 12. My DH had similar interests to his DS and so it made sense.

Each holiday, so I guess about 6 times a year. DH takes him to see a film, theatre, museum or such like that they are both interested in ( history mainly) and they discuss it over a meal afterwards. the DS is in his early 20s now and they still go out for a meal now and again and have developed a friendship of their own.

BikeRunSki · 20/09/2011 14:49

We had a Humanist Welcoming ceremony for DS, and he has two "Guide Parents" or "Ungodly Parents". Other words I have come for this role are "Spirit Guides" and "Sponsors".

Despite my mum's best efforts to make me a good RC, the Church was never for me, so we had a civil wedding. I found this a bit bland, and we when we went to a Humanist funeral with DS as a tiny baby, I realised that this was what was right for us. A way of celebrating and marking and occassion, with no religion, and very personal to us.

Dotty342kids · 20/09/2011 14:57

we had a humanist association one too, for both of ours in fact. Both were done in back garden, with friends and family. "Oddparents" were given the brief to say a little something - a couple of them chose to make promises, the others found readings that they liked and which were meaningful to the occasion. I found the celebrants to be flexible, interesting people who bring a sense of occasion to what might otherwise be a straightforward party.
I too, am an "oddparent" though, bizarrely I tend to use the word "godparent" in every day conversation as it's the term most people are familiar with. In all ways other than the religious guidance it's exactly the same role and I take it just as seriously.

hairylights · 20/09/2011 15:51

I am an "oddparebt" to my niece :) we had a lovely naming ceremony and three of us chisen pledged our support to her throughout her life.

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