From: elise@ticipa.pac.sc.ti.com (Elise Wade)
Subject: Re: First birthday party ideas?
Organization: Texas Instruments
Date: Wed, 6 Jan 1993 18:58:20 GMT

In article <1993Jan6.161130.3077@ra.oc.com> jws@hp835.mitek.com (Jeanetha Wemken) writes:
>In article <1993Jan5.232058.410@ticipa.pac.sc.ti.com> elise@ticipa.pac.sc.ti.com (Elise Wade) writes:
>>In article <C0EFu6.44M@acsu.buffalo.edu> oispeggy@ubvmsd.cc.buffalo.edu (Peggy Brown) writes:
>>>In article <1993Jan5.181724.8075@oracle.us.oracle.com>, shobart@us.oracle.com (Sarah Groves Hobart) writes...
>>>>	2) Do you have any ideas on how to recognize a godfather other
>>>>		than with a formal christening?
>>>> 
>>>
>>>First of all, how did he get a godfather without a formal 
>>>christening?
>>>
>>>My husband and I will be facing the same problem.  He's atheist 
>>>and I'm agnostic.
>>>
>>>Anyway, we would also like to have a christening ceremony of some 
>>>sort, with participation by godparents.  
>>>
>>>Any suggestions?
>>>
>>>- Peggy -
>>
>>I'm confused.  Why would atheist, agnostic, or religously
>>indifferent folks want their child to have godparents of
>>any variety?  What function would that person fill in their
>>child's life?
>>
>>(Which is a different issue from wanting to have a formal
>>non-religious ceremony of some kind on the birth of a child.)
>>
>>Elise.
>
>To define the term godparent (godfather/godmother) as a person 
>having a relation to a child as the sponsor.  Or as I have read 
>"...to lead the child in spirit or in matters of sprituality 
>as they grow...", to help instill values in the child's character.  
>
>Being agnostic or religously indifferent does not mean that one
>does not have morals, values, and standards of chararacter that
>they wish to see their children obtain.  It follows that parents
>would choose a "mentor" or "godparent" for their children.  They
>look for people that have values and character that they find
>like theirs or that they admire and would be comfortable in
>having "lead" their children.  
>
>This is what would be called the "godfather/godmother" and should 
>be an honor for someone to be choosen and quite a serious job to have.
>
>Jeanetha - Mom to Gregg(19) and Laura Jean(3)
>-- 
>Jeanetha Wemken                       OpenConnect Systems, Inc.
>Internal Gateway Services             2711 LBJ Freeway, Suite 800
>jws@hp835.oc.com                      Dallas, Texas  75243
>Voice: (214) 888-0465                 FAX: (214) 888-0686

	Ah, so they've redefined the term.  

	I get confused when people use words to mean new things.  
As far as I understood, the godparents are responsible for making 
sure the child has a proper religious education.  I couldn't undestand 
why a non-religious parent would want their child to have
someone interested in their child`s non-existant religious
education.  

	I think sponsor or mentor is more the term
these folks may be looking for.  I'd also think it *much*
more difficult to find a suitable individual.  With no
"organized religion" how do you know the sponsor will
subscribe to the beliefs (or lack there of as appropriate)
which they wish their child to develop?  I guess you'ld 
not only have to know that person *very* well, but trust 
your life philosophies would evolve similarly.  Nice concept 
though -- I think a non-related adult who is interested in a 
child's growth and development a gennerally good idea.

Elise.