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declining
October 2008 
The Godparent Dilemma
Posted on May 13th, 2008
by 
Redzer
Redzer
Well, it did happen as predicted; my sister asked my husband and me to be godparents to her daughter.
Knowing that this might be on the cards, we had discussed this possibility and knew that we had to decline, although recognised that this might lead to potential negative repercussions. We're atheist in every sense of the word and being asked to be a godparent at a catholic baptism, where the parents are not church-goers (or even possibly believers) just seemed unreasonable. Furthermore, my brother-in-law admitted it was to ensure her daughter gets into a good school.
We strongly feel that declining the invitation was the right thing to have done, even though it is likely the rest of my family will now have an opportunity to sit in judgement about our beliefs. A friend of mine said that it's very easy for atheists to look rationally at an issue such as this because we do not see any serious repercussions to not believing. However, believers take responsibility for preventing the likes of us from going to hell. A lot of my family are extremely religious and I think this will potentially may lead to a deterioration in my relationship with them as they may see my husband and me as a potentially negative or borderline evil presence in our niece's life. To me, there is something unethical about commiting a child, who is not able to make a choice, to a religion they do not understand.
Anyhow, we are not prepared to commit to something we are unable to fulfil and therefore and know that the decision was made in good conscience. My sister and her husband sat in silence for ages despite my husband saying it was very nice to be asked but that it was something we could not do. We did however, say we would attend the christening, from an observer's perspective and would look after the child if ever this became necessary.
The christening is in July. I'll let you know how it goes.
Redzer
Knowing that this might be on the cards, we had discussed this possibility and knew that we had to decline, although recognised that this might lead to potential negative repercussions. We're atheist in every sense of the word and being asked to be a godparent at a catholic baptism, where the parents are not church-goers (or even possibly believers) just seemed unreasonable. Furthermore, my brother-in-law admitted it was to ensure her daughter gets into a good school.
We strongly feel that declining the invitation was the right thing to have done, even though it is likely the rest of my family will now have an opportunity to sit in judgement about our beliefs. A friend of mine said that it's very easy for atheists to look rationally at an issue such as this because we do not see any serious repercussions to not believing. However, believers take responsibility for preventing the likes of us from going to hell. A lot of my family are extremely religious and I think this will potentially may lead to a deterioration in my relationship with them as they may see my husband and me as a potentially negative or borderline evil presence in our niece's life. To me, there is something unethical about commiting a child, who is not able to make a choice, to a religion they do not understand.
Anyhow, we are not prepared to commit to something we are unable to fulfil and therefore and know that the decision was made in good conscience. My sister and her husband sat in silence for ages despite my husband saying it was very nice to be asked but that it was something we could not do. We did however, say we would attend the christening, from an observer's perspective and would look after the child if ever this became necessary.
The christening is in July. I'll let you know how it goes.
Redzer
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