I've been informally asked to be a Christian Godfather to a recent addition to the family, a nephew to be exact. I fear the conflict that will arise when I am finally confronted with the request. While it should be no secret to my family that I am at the very least, non-religious and non-theistic, I don't go around with a banner over my head everyday declaring Atheism. Even though I have described myself as an Atheist to them on numerous occasions, it seems to have always fell on deaf ears. When I described myself as an Atheist this time around I was met with a backlash. My declaration of Atheism was accused of being just a means to cop out of responsibility.
What annoys me most, is the irony in the fact that I have spent years of deep examination and contemplation over religion to finally come to a position where I now reject it completely, while those "Christians" around me, who have blindly bumbled through their life probably never thought about their beliefs once.
I have no idea what I will say or how I will react. I wonder if things will get heated and I describe my true feelings about baptism, that to inflict a religion on an infant is immoral. Maybe I'll come out a closer definition of what I am, a "Non-Theistic Agnostic" and just maybe they'll realise I've thought about this for a long time. Or maybe I'll just go ahead with it... adopt some kind of nihilistic viewpoint that nothing really matters anyway, and declaring devotion to a falsehood negates ones actions automatically. It would be the same as signing myself up as a heretic during the inquisition though. Sure, I'd save myself a load of hassle but I'd be betraying myself and the truth.
Maybe I should lean on Jesus for some guidance...
6 comments:
Be strong mate, I know it's family and all, but giving in will, as you say, be betraying your true beliefs.
I've been down this road before. I always say no gracefully. It does not stop me from acting like a good uncle . I just don't stand over them as they are baptized, or do I criticize it.
I have several godchildren. I just ignore all the religious connotations on that and focus on what the role of godparent should be.
The only people that ask me to be a godparent anyway are very close friends and particularly close family members. I'd be more than willing to take on the role of pseudo-parent for their children when and if the need arises regardless of whether the formality of being "godparent" is there or not.
It's just a title.
Thanks to everyone for your comments. I'll keep you updated.
When I first saw the photo of the sign underwater, I thought this would be about the flooding in the Midlands!
As you know, I'm in a similar boat to yourself. You can tell your family and friends that you have no religious beliefs, and for years, hear nothing. But yet, all hell breaks loose the minute you're expected to say a reading at a funeral or be a godfather. I'm sure, if you were a Muslim or Jew, you wouldn't get such a bad reaction. Yet, the thought of anyone having a nihilistic view fills people with horror.
I just go with the flow to avoid disputes now. Like ramon garcia said, it's nothing more than a title.
Shoot em all and let God sort em out!!!!!! ha ha
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