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I would go for a close relative probably. We are going to a Bat Mitzvah for my niece next month and bringing the grandchildren so they can see what their Jewish relatives believe and how the rituals go.
Why worry about that? You won't know, and nothing that they do is going to be capable of either pleasing or offending you. Death is death, but funeral ceremonies are for the living. Let them have their way, it will no longer really be a concern of yours by that point.
I agree with you. Funerals are for the living, not the dead. If you care a wit for your friends and loved ones you afford them the chance to say a proper goodbye to you.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Unsettomati
No.
I wouldn't attend an exorcism or the sacrifice of a chicken, either.
Why? Because it would be a pointless and ridiculous waste of time. It simply doesn't interest me in the least.
Sure, I'd go. Why not?
It's not like they're going to indoctrinate me. I go to support my family and friends and to share in their joy.
I won't get God cooties.
My attendance at a baby's christening is indeed largely about me. It is certainly not about the baby, who would be completely oblivious to my attendance because... it's a baby. [Yes, I read the OP]
And as for the parents, I do not labor under the delusion that I am somehow obligated to support their nonsensical ideas with my presence.
But since you seem to be soft-peddling the notion that it is somehow selfish of me if I don't attend a christening, here's my response - it's self-centered of parents to expect me to be a prop in their hocus-pocus ceremony.
I agree with you. Funerals are for the living, not the dead. If you care a wit for your friends and loved ones you afford them the chance to say a proper goodbye to you.
It ain't all about you, kid.
For tthe loudest and most vocal complainants about such issues . . . it actually IS all about them.
I think christenings are a lot of fun. My one cousin's daughter was baptized by a flamboyantly gay Catholic priest who thought it was awesome she was already at the baby talk phase. He spent a good 5 minutes chattering back and forth with her. Another priest held up another relative's twin sons like Simba in The Lion King after they were baptized.
As much as I dislike the idea of indoctrination, I had no problem going to christenings or even participating in some way. But then I read this. I think I would have puked in the baptismal font at the sight.
I was asked to be a godmother to my best friend's first baby. I said I was in some way flattered to be asked, but as an atheist the religion thing was obviously an issue. She understood & said it was more for the moral guidance/role model relationship. Her family would do the religion bit, I would offer my world view. I faced quite a lot of criticism/confusion from my family about it. My friend refers to me as the ungodlymother, which I rather like!
I have attended numerous christenings & (church) weddings. I don't join in the prayers, I sing with maximum gusto & enjoy the experience as an observer. It's harmless & it makes other people happy.
My friend refers to me as the ungodlymother, which I rather like!
Nice!
-NoCapo
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