Sorry if this has been asked before, but I am just wondering what most of you atheists do when you are invited to a christening, church wedding or funeral. Do you go in order to not upset the family member concerned, or opt out? The last such service I attended was 3 years ago, to the christening of my husband's great niece. I felt very uncomfortable throughout the whole thing and couldn't wait to get out. This child's mother is due to give birth again next week, and I have already told hubby I will not be going this time.

I do not go to christenings. I do go to funerals, but only to say goodbye to the person that died, not for any religious mumblings. Weddings depends on who is getting married, but again, not for the religious stuff, I'd rather just attend the reception afterward and congratulate them there. If I am required in church, I normally stay in the back and do not disturb the ceremonies.

I'd go to a funeral, although only in the way leo-rcc said...nothing more than a last goodbye.

I only go to weddings if I like the people getting married or they are close family.

Any other superfluous ceremonies like christenings I completely ignore, they are pointless and only serve the childish beliefs of those who hold them.

I simply decline the invitation.

My sister, a devoted catholic asked me to make a reading of scripture in my nephew's baptism. After my rant about indoctrination that took a week or so, she still refuses to let go, so I accepted, and I accepted because the bible quote didn't talked about supernatural stuff and god, just common sense child education. The theists all were very surprised I did that, though I didn't bow for the priest on my way to the reading station, nor made the sign of the cross. Was my action hypocritical?

(August 1, 2010 at 3:00 pm)LastPoet Wrote: My sister, a devoted catholic asked me to make a reading of scripture in my nephew's baptism. After my rant about indoctrination that took a week or so, she still refuses to let go, so I accepted, and I accepted because the bible quote didn't talked about supernatural stuff and god, just common sense child education. The theists all were very surprised I did that, though I didn't bow for the priest on my way to the reading station, nor made the sign of the cross. Was my action hypocritical?

I don't think so at all. I think it was selfless and demonstrated how much you care for your sister. The bible is a book, like the ones Stephen King might write, maybe less interesting. Just because you read it doesn't mean you believe it.

I agree with most everyone else that it would depend on who was inviting me to what and the nature of the ceremony as to whether I would go or not.

I'll go to most anything, because I'd be going for the people - not to hear the religious blurbs. If it's something that is important to someone I love, you can probably bet I'll go.

(August 2, 2010 at 4:02 pm)Skeptisma Wrote: I'll go to most anything, because I'd be going for the people - not to hear the religious blurbs. If it's something that is important to someone I love, you can probably bet I'll go.

Same here...

Did storm out of a confirmation when the fucking priest started ranting about what a sinner my neice was!!

Gggggggggggggggrrrrrr

"I'd be going for the people".

That was the answer that meant something to me. Thank you

I go to weddings (to share in the celebration) and funerals (to support the family). I refuse to attend ridiculous nonsensical rituals like baptisms, confirmations, communions, pageants, etc...

My wife's family are all believers and they have had their kids all go through the obligatory indoctrination rituals. I have attended none of it. (I also have to add that their youngest kid was baptized by a priest who was later discovered to be a pedophile!) I have attended the parties they have thrown after these things, but I have made it a point NOT to congratulate the kid. (What has the kid done anyway? Sit in a classroom, listen to bullshit and then participate in a moronic ritual? Yeah, that's a real accomplishment...) It even kind of gets under my skin that my wife gives these kids money for this crap.

We have no kids (and don't plan any), but if we did, I know my wife's family would immediately be asking when the baptism would be. I would enjoy telling them that there wasn't going to be a baptism. I'm sure they would be shocked and my mother-in-law would no doubt be horrified. I'm sure she would say, "You have to get the baby baptised!" I'd love asking her why we have to dump water on the baby's head. She would almost certainly just reply, "Well, you have to!" Yeah, that's a reason!

---

(August 3, 2010 at 1:49 am)KichigaiNeko Wrote: Did storm out of a confirmation when the fucking priest started ranting about what a sinner my neice was!!

Gggggggggggggggrrrrrr

What? Why would a priest take the occasion of a confirmation to chastise your niece for being "a sinner"? Was she the one getting confirmed?