Hypocrisy

[NoMercy]

What drives parents without a shred of religious inclination to have their children christened? I just don't get it.

Is it an excuse for a knees-up or just narcissistic parents seizing the opportunity to showcase their babies? I just can't fathom why people show no interest in religion but queue up to have their children Christened.

[ludwig]

None of my children were christened. My mother in law was upset at first because she thinks they're heading for purgatory.
She got over it though.

[Ellipsis]

People without a shred of religious inclination can still like churches (and Christmal carols). They're quaint and traditional, and make for a nice day. By contrast, having a "naming party" could be seen as a bit gauche or out-there, maybe?

[naomi24]

I think some churches are absolutely magnificient - and I quite like some Christmas Carols. Shame about what they stand for though.

[Ellipsis]

My own kids aren't christened, but I'm godfather to others that are. I've stood there and renounced Satan and all his evil deeds. I do take an interest in whether my god-children go to church, as that's what I committed to do, but for the most part (for those that do it in a way that could be called "hypocritical") it's about doing the traditional thing, having a nice party, being socially acceptable, keeping the peace/pleasing Granny and Grandad and/or making sure their kids are not disadvantaged in some way later in life ...

[FredPuli43]

My own two were both christened but their mother is, at least nominally Christian but with guilt (she went to a Catholic boarding school, but the children were C of E christened; there are limits !LOL). I saw no harm in it. Both were confirmed in the C of E too, but that was pragmatic (both went to schools that expected it) as much as faith, though one has become a regular churchgoer.
If you believe in God, whether or not you have 'religious inclination', there's no harm and if you are both atheist parents you probably won't , but if you do, there may be practical benefits with schooling and, anyway, you are likely to answer their questions truthfully later, as you see it, and leave them to decide. What harm does it do when they are just babies?