I was Christened myself as a child though it is something I feel strongly against now. See, my fiancée is not a religious person but she feels that because she was Christened, our children should be Christened. This is one of the problems I have with it, it ties the little ones into Christianity when they do not have the ability to choose for themselves, and then what? When they grow up will they automatically Christen their children because they were too Christened?
I do believe in the right to practice any religion you wish and for me, if a couple are bringing children into a Christian home then there would be no issue with Christening them, because it will be all around them as they grow. But because neither of us are religious it seems she want's to do it out of necessity and that to me is wrong.
I really need help or advice with this.
Update:We have discussed this, and she is wanting to do it out of tradition, so in essence it's like signing your children off to god out of habit, which I believe is wrong. You should Christen your children if you are a Christian, not because your parents did it.
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I don't think it would tie them into any religion? considering that you were Christened and you are a strong atheist now?
I don't think unless you are both Christians (or one of you is) that you should do this just because you were both Christened. It doesn't make much sense to do that since you would be introducing your children strongly to a faith that you yourselves don't believe in.
You are actually entitled to a religion in which you are to respect and follow because of baptism. I see you're point that you have matured your mentality about this religion. A religion is not really something to look up too much and make it something that would control you. It's purpose is just to guide you to do good things and uplift morality in accordance with a model(like a god).
I have nothing against Christianity because I am a Christian myself but I believe that everything just depends on how you live your life with or without a religion. If you believe that your children can live a good life filled with goodness, principles and values despite of having religion, then so be it. Don't just let your children be Christened just because of tradition or whatsoever. Be serious of this sacrament, this is a sacred act that we Christians respect.
We are all entitled to our beliefs(be it in a form of religion) and we should all respect it. In the end, it's all just up to you on what you stand for and feel on what would be the best for your children.
The reason your fiancee wants the baby christened is because she likes the event. It gives her an excuse to show off. To be the centre of attention. To buy cutsie outfits for the kid and to receive gifts.
If christening were strictly religious hardly anyone would be christened.
Being Christened does not tie them into Christianity. To become a Christian you must have a personal relationship with God and make that decision for yourself. As kids, if their time on earth ends, then they will automatically be with God. Once they are old enough to make that decision for themselves, then they decide to have that personal relationship with God or not.
You really need to discuss things as a couple before you get married and to make a decision to either agree to disagree or work out some sort of compromise or your relationship will not get off to a strong start. Ask her why she feels this way.
This is a non-issue. If there is no God (or even if there is) what harm is there in having them Christened. Why don't you wait until she's pregnant to decide about that. In fact, why is it even an issue or non-issue, as it were? The key to a successful marriage (one where one of you dies before getting divorced) is compromise and in many cases surrender.
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It is not going to kill you, to have your Children Christened and who knows your children could grow up and love God, and introduce you to Christianity. If your wife wants them to be Christened then let them be Christened she only wants, whats best for them.