Not intending to start a debate please, just a genuine question. I have a child who is baptised, her dad and I are not together and not religious. I just had a child with my husband who is also not very religious but won't eat meat on Good Friday. We are considering the possibility of just a naming ceremony for the new baby as every church I've contacted requires so many loops and holes to jump through (it was the same with my first child, I also felt pressured to go to church which I did for a few weeks). Considering using our marriage celebrant. What are your thoughts on this? Do you think it seperates the two children further? Or does it not really matter when it comes down to it.
4 Replies
It doesn't matter one iota! The only time it might make a difference is if you were catholic and wanted to go through holy communion etc but then you'd be a regular church goers anyway.
If you aren't religious (don't go to church and discuss religion on a regular basis) and your kids aren't receiving any religous education (Sunday school etc) they are unlikely to care or compare one jot. It's really not a big deal unless you are regular church goers.
If you aren't religious, there is no reason for you to Baptise your child. It's an act of faith and a dedication to you (the parents) and to God that you will raise your child to know Him. If that's not your intention, a naming day ceremony is perfectly fine :)
And I certainly don't think it separates your children at all. When they grow up they'll have the decision as to whether they want to be Baptised (again) or not.
I personally love the idea of a naming day! You have the opportunity to make it more about your child and.the people that love and will be by his/her side throughout life. I am not religious but to me, a naming day can be made to be.more special and personal than a.christening or.baptism. and.I don't think your kids will bat an eyelid... my sister is baptised and my younger brother and.I are not (didn't even have naming days) and.it really wasn't even on our radar as kids or now as adults :)
Baptism, like another poster said, is an act of faith and a public declaration that your child will be raised to know God - but it's not just between you, it's between you, your church community, and God. That's probably why there are so many loops and holes to jump through.
Both Baptism and naming days can be quite nice. I think that if you can't find a church that you're comfortable with, and both you and your husband have no interest in religion(/attending church) then a naming day might be the best option. If you have a good relationship with your marriage celebrant, that could also be a plus in favour for that option. Ideally, you want the ceremony to be run by someone with some connection to your family. :)