Am I The "Godfather" By Association? (toys, parents, wife)
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One of my wife's long-time friends (for about 20 years) asked my wife to be the "official" Godmother to her son last week. My wife seems to think that makes me the Godfather by association (which is fine). And the child actually calls us both "Uncle & Auntie". Now from my understanding, the friend should have asked BOTH of us to be the Godparents since the Godfather and Godmother doesn't necessarily have to be married to each other. Am I correct in this assumption?
One of my wife's long-time friends (for about 20 years) asked my wife to be the "official" Godmother to her son last week. My wife seems to think that makes me the Godfather by association (which is fine). And the child actually calls us both "Uncle & Auntie". Now from my understanding, the friend should have asked BOTH of us to be the Godparents since the Godfather and Godmother doesn't necessarily have to be married to each other. Am I correct in this assumption?
In my religion, you are not technically the Godfather unless you take part in the religious service and accept the responsibility before God, the religious leader and everyone else present. Now, you can help your wife, the Godmother, and act like a Godfather, but technically you are not the official Godfather.
In some families & some religions it may be common to ask husbands & wives to be Godparents but among my family & friends (of various religions) we normally do not ask married couples. Usually it is a man from one side of the family and a woman from the other or a very, very close friend if there are not suitable relatives.
In addition, since the Godparents have a religious obligation to the child, that is also a factor. Depending on the religion the Godparents need to be "devote...(whatever the religion)" to guide them spirituality towards God.
Sadly (IMHO), some people think of Godparents are just people who will give extra toys to their children on Christmas & their birthday and not as back-ups to their parents to help keep them faithful & active in their religion.
BTW, being a Godparent does not mean the same as being named guardian to raise the children if the parents die.
Last edited by germaine2626; 08-24-2016 at 07:49 AM..
My godfather is one uncle on one side of the family and my godmother is an aunt on the other side of the family. They're certainly not married. I was raised Roman Catholic FWIW.
In my religion, you are not technically the Godfather unless you take part in the religious service and accept the responsibility before God, the religious leader and everyone else present. Now, you can help your wife, the Godmother, and act like a Godfather, but technically you are not the official Godfather.
In some families & some religions it may be common to ask husbands & wives to be Godparents but among my family & friends (of various religions) we normally do not ask married couples. Usually it is a man from one side of the family and a woman from the other or a very, very close friend if there are not suitable relatives.
In addition, since the Godparents have a religious obligation to the child, that is also a factor. Depending on the religion the Godparents need to be "devote...(whatever the religion)" to guide them spirituality towards God.
Sadly (IMHO), some people think of Godparents are just people who will give extra toys to their children on Christmas & their birthday and not as back-ups to their parents to help keep them faithful & active in their religion.
BTW, being a Godparent does not mean the same as being named guardian to raise the children if the parents die.
Thanks.
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I was raised Roman Catholic FWIW.
