What do you think of humanist naming ceremony for the baby (non-religious baptism setting)?

[Vesuvius87]

Most of my family members are Catholics but my husband and I are atheists. We had a civil marriage. My mother has expressed her wishes about wanting to be our upcoming baby's godmother. Since I'm not into church nor god, I was thinking just doing a non-religious version of a baptism setting. It's called a humanist naming ceremony and it can take place at home, in the park, in the garden, at a community center, etc.

I figure it's the same meaning, just without the indoctrine of god and church; without religion. It's just the importance of a second mother and father figure as guidance in my child's life.

This is an example of what a humanist naming ceremony looks like:

[ClassicDropout]

there's a chance that its going to sound like a slap in the face to a Catholic. Religious people don't really appreciate when people take the God out of their activities and make it their own. Of course, it's your choice to do what you want, but from the perspective of a religious person it could potentially be distasteful.

[Vesuvius87]

My parents (mom is Catholic and dad is closer to an agnostic) are respectful of my lack of belief in a god. Mom is ok with the suggestion but recommended me to make it a short, private, family event. I only plan on inviting few, main family members.

[ClassicDropout]

That's good advice. Family will understand where you're coming from. Catholic neighbors? Probably not so much. I'm glad your parents are understanding and respectful though. Thats becoming rarer these days

[jshm2]

It's silly and pointless. Like buying a fake designer bag, but expecting people to react to it like it's the real thing.

You not only insulted yourselves, and the Catholic tradition, the child is either going to grow up hating you, or be a burden upon you for what you stole from it.

[Vesuvius87]

Hating us for not believing in a fictious being and having no interest in going to church, no interest in following religion?
My parents are both ok with it and aren't pushing me into religion. They're reasonable in that area. If our child gets older and really decides for themselves that they want to follow a religion and want to have a religious baptism, that's their decision and we would respect that.

[Vesuvius87]

What about children like me that were baptized as babies against their will? I was never given whether to believe or not believe, they just did that assuming I would grow up Catholic (my father wasn't too much into it though... it was the family and others pressuring them) and in the case, I turned out to be an atheist.
Wouldn't putting religion on a baby also be consider taking away a right to decide?

[Gwendoline]

Sounds good though it's really doesn't hold the same weight as a baptism, it's like a wedding that happens at a registry office, it's just not the same, even people i know who are not religious and same who are atheist will still get married in a big ceremony and have their kids baptized more for the cultural and family history than for religious reasons.

[strateguy632]

It is a wonderful tradition to replace other baby ceremonies. I support that custom. Only announce name n partying.

[Vesuvius87]

Yeah it's the sentiment about it. While it's not taking place in church and doesn't include god, it still consist of family values and selecting two parental figures for the child.

[Pete671]

Then you would be giving your blessing to have Catholics as Godparents, yet you don't believe in it,,,

But the humanist ceremony would be great,,,

[Vesuvius87]

No, I don't believe in religion nor in a god. I don't mind giving out blessings but it would be mainly about the sentiments within a small family gathering and providing my child the chance to have a second mother and father figure in his/her life.

[Vesuvius87]

That's why it would be a humanist ceremony. It's still a ceremony but it's not done in a church and doesn't include god.

[Pete671]

Of course, surely family would want to expose your child to Catholic values and beliefs? but yay could be great to have different views from loving parent figures?

[Vesuvius87]

My father is a bit more opened-minded on both Catholic values and beliefs and non-religious ones. One time he called himself an agnostic even though at times he identifies himself as Catholic; he's ambivalent either way. My mother is Catholic but not a fanatic. So yeah our child would have a variety of values and beliefs and it's up to them in the end to select what path they want to follow. If he/she is an atheist like us ok, but if he/she wants to belief in a god it's fine with us too. We'll respect his/her views.

[Pete671]

Cool! yes good to expose her to a variety of beliefs, my Dad was I would say a loyal Catholic, Mum mostly secular, I was dragged off to mass as a child, hated it,,,
Religion is perhaps like broccoli, if you were forced to have it as a child, you don't want it as an adult,,,

[AmeerX]

Let them do what they want. Just pray for your child to be healthy.

[Vesuvius87]

Being healthy is unrelated to being religious or non-religious. My family can do what they want with their lives but pressuring us to do a religious baptism is a no-no. That's a decision made between my husband and I... and we're non-believers. I respect their beliefs but expect to also be respected for my lack of beliefs in religion and in a god.
If our baby wants to then be religious and/or be baptized, that's his/her choice and we'll respect that. What I find wrong is indoctrining religion on a baby since babies can't decide for themselves.

[AmeerX]

Please it's not indoctrination but they also longed to have a grandchild. So respect them please.

[Vesuvius87]

My parents are actually reasonable in that area. My father is actually more agnostic than a total believer and my mom is Catholic but not a fanatic. Dad is ambivalent about the whole bautism thing (doesn't really mind) and mom is ok with my idea. She recommended a small, family meeting though. So in that manner, neither of them are pushing me into religion.

[AmeerX]

Then do as they say. But definitely no need to pay heed to relatives other than them. This way it is respectful