Atheism and religious ceremonies/education

[Mister Agenda]

Probably no one would ask your religion, so I wouldn't worry about that. If you were the child's guardian, you might try taking him to UU, their religious education actually teaches facts about the world's various religions. Since you aren't the child's guardian, you have no say in his reliigious education, and you should keep that in mind. You gave up any chance of having a say in his religious education when you refused to be his godfather. However, you are well within your rights to render your opinion honestly if he asks you questions.

[Dystopia]

Probably no one would ask your religion, so I wouldn't worry about that. If you were the child's guardian, you might try taking him to UU, their religious education actually teaches facts about the world's various religions. Since you aren't the child's guardian, you have no say in his reliigious education, and you should keep that in mind. You gave up any chance of having a say in his religious education when you refused to be his godfather. However, you are well within your rights to render your opinion honestly if he asks you questions.

Well being a godfather according to the church means incentive my brother to continue the christian faith, so refusing him religious education sounds contradicting. I refused because I never had official religious education, I needed it to be his godfather but I'd feel like a hypocrite doing, I preferred letting my sister do it since she is a believer, and the godfather is the son of my father in law from is former marriage (to give an equilibrium for the kids he had formerly). I am not the guardian but my saying can influence greatly my mum's thoughts. I don't think she'll send him to such education anyway, just like she didn't send me, she might teach some christian core teachings but she'll let my brother decide for himself later.

[pocaracas]

HEHE! Kids cry at these things... it's a bit stupid to do it to them, but heck... priests do it, parents ask that of priests...and parents ask that because they think the grand parents would like that.

Anyway, who's portuguese in here?: me, duh!!
Also LastPoet (one of the guys with a green username)... He says there's another one of us around, but I don't know who it is... Must be someone who doesn't come around very often.

In my case it's mostly a traditional ritual but I don't have any grandparents to approve it. Well it's nice to see I'm not the only one, I thought this forum was mainly composed by americans and british

There are a few aussies as well.
And "proper" europeans

[zebo-the-fat]

Reading this made me realise something.... I have no idea if I have godparents or not! Not a clue!!

[Mudhammam]

If you have any influence over your brother's education, encourage the study of religion as a serious matter-- that is, avoid going about it the way most religious people do. He should learn about human psychology, history, literature, etc., all of which include thoughtful consideration of man's religious superstitions.

[Minimalist]

Godfathers are important.

[ThomM]

Tomorrow I'm having a baptism of my 2 year old little brother as a part of the catholic church (he is 19 years younger than me), my question being, how should an atheist behave in such ceremonies? If the priest asks me about my 'faith', should I be straightforward or lie about it to avoid compromising the ceremonial? I already refused to be my little brother's godfather because I had to do my religious education, something my parents never put me into (despite being catholic they never liked churches and priests)

My second question is, should I allow my family to give religious education in the future (in a few years ahead) to my little brother? I wouldn't mind if it was given by my mother, since the same happened to me and she didn't teach me to fear hell and the indoctrination basically didn't exist. But should I allow official religious church education? I'm not very sure about those but I'm sure if I opposed my mother would understand and avoid giving such education. What are your views on this?

I hope this is supposed to be in the Christianity forums since it's related to catholicism

1 - YOU are not having a Baptism - your parents are (unless YOU have personal custody of the child - it is NOT your decision)
2 - Same with religious education - that is the decision of the people who have legal custody. If they did not put you through the education - why do you expect them to put your brother into it?

If your parents never liked Churches and Priests - how are they arranging the baptism to begin with? Do they donate money to the church?

AS far as what your mother would do - IF she asks for your opinion - I see no reason why you would say something against your own personal beliefs.

And when it comes to being a "Godfather" - it has NO legal position in the world we live in. It WAS at one time a way to designate a person who would continue the child's religious education if the child lost their parents - but has NOTHING to do with legal custody of the child if that should happen. Since it is the person with legal custody who would make that decision - you could offer to be your brother's legal guardian - in the event of a catastrophe (Your parents should have made a will out when YOU were born - if nothing else - but to name such a guardian in that event)

[ignoramus]

Always go with the flow bro..
Tell them what they want to hear ...be a good person.
It doesn't mean anything right?