Humm... Calling all Christians... Or anyone interested lol

I know this is a personal decision and a very loaded question, but I am just asking for opinions on the situation--

Yesterday, my mom asked what my plans were for God parents for the baby.
I was raised Catholic, I had my baptism, communion but never got confirmed.

I go to a Catholic university, but all that being said, I really don't practice my religion.  I don't go to church on Sunday's, I didn't get married in a church, but I do want to raise my children with some understanding of God, Jesus ect...

Here's the thing, my hubby is not religious and was raised with no real religion.  He's letting me do whatever I want with the God parents because he doesn't really know anything about it.

I know my sister will be the God mother.  She's 19 and I would say she is much more into religion than I am.  My sister mentioned something yesterday about her boyfriend possibly being the God father.  He's a decent enough kid, but I am afraid if they are not together after a couple years, my child will not have a God father in his life.  I know he and my sister are planning on getting engaged soon, but with a teenage relationship, you never know what's going to happen. Katie (my sister) insists that even if they are not together, he will be there for the baby, but I keep telling her, SHE will most likely not want her EX boyfriend hanging around for 20-30 years after they broke up, but she said she doesn't care.  Although I think they will most likely end up getting married in a few years.

I am considering it because there are literally NO males in either of our families that are baptized, and pratice their religion.

I know Mike would be thrilleeeddd if I asked him.  I know no one can predict the future, but would this be a big mistake?  Asking the boyfriend of my 19 year old sister to be my baby's religious "mentor" for life?

Loaded I know lol...

Any advice would be appreciated.

Well I was raised Catholic as well. Irish and Italian families - we are Catholic thru and thru. I believe in God but have never been a church goer. We were married in a Methodist church because that is where my husbands family had always gone. I will raise my baby with a belief in God but am not sure how far we will take it as far as "organized" religion. My theory is that God is everywhere - not just in a church on Sundays and Holidays. That is just a meeting place for an organized worship - and some people need / like that.

So onto the God Parents. I would go with what you feel comfortable with. For me it will have to be someone that I am close to. I don't know that I could trust that the boyfriend of my 19 year old sister would be around in 10 years desipte his good intentions (I HOPE that he is because he sounds like a good guy) In my family the Godparents are all aunts/uncles and cousins.

Hope that this rambling helps!

Liz


ETA - our child will be baptized by a dear friend that is an ordained, non-denominational minister. That means more to me because the person performing the ceremony is someone that will love the baby.

We are in a similar boat actually. We are trying to find wonderful God parents for our baby because it is very important to us. God plays a huge role in our family! Maybe you could just choose your sister for now and in the future when/if they get married he can then be the God father...? (Or whoever she does marry.) I'm not sure how it works but maybe that is an option? I don't think I would have him be God father at this point since they aren't married because they are very young and you never know what's in their future. Good luck w/ your decision! We would love to have my husbands brother and his wife our childs God parents because they are the most faithful couple we know but I think they already have a few God children so I'm not sure what we are going to do yet...

-Ashlie

I have no advice but am anxious to see what advice you get. I want to get my girls baptized as I was and so were my siblings. I am not sure how to go about it because I am not that religious either. I did go to church and Sunday school when I was young but only been sporadically thereafter. I like you want my girls to know about God and Jesus, however I don't think I am the best teacher of this.

Yes, it's a big mistake.   The end.  

And I will say this.   I was born and raised Jewish and have since converted to become a Catholic about 5 years ago.  (I think it's been 5 years, maybe it's been 6 already)   My children will grow up knowing they are both Jewish and Catholic.  Just because I converted does not make me any less a Jew. 

Anyway............while our church would highly disagree..........I am of the opinion that a Godparent does not need to be Catholic. (my husband would also disagree).   My best friend is one of my twins godmother and she is not Catholic, nor does she really practice her Christian faith.   My brother, who is a Cantor, would have no problem being a godfather if I asked him to do so.  

If you are going to have your child baptized in the Catholic church, I am 99.99% sure they will make you commit to attending weekly mass and also that you yourself become confirmed.  If you are willing to do that, then go ahead,  but you can have your child baptized regardless.   You would be doing your child a disservice by just getting them baptized for show.   But again, asking your sisters boyfriend is the last person you should be asking.  

I am only coming into my own faith and beliefs as an adult.
I never really gave a religious slant to the Godparent issue...we chose people whom we considered to be good people PERIOD, those that we would want our daughter to look to as examples for how to live her life, treat people, etc. My daughter's godmother is a dear dear friend of ours, who is old enough to be my mother! LOL She is an incredible person, one of the kindest people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. The person we chose for a godmother passed away right before she was born. We had told him we had wanted him to be her godfather though.
Your sister sounds like a good choice, but I would do a no-go on the boyfriend. Relationships at that age are usually SO temporary, despite the best intentions. I would seek out someone else if it were me.

No, no, no on the sister's boyfriend.  Your sister will be your sister forever . . .  this "boy" probably will not  . . .  I mean who knows, but chances are NOT.  Find another male that you are close to and want to be in your child's life forever.

Best,
Leila

There is nothing wrong with only having one godparent.

I am Godmother to 3 children. And I am the ONLY Godparent.

Consider only having a Godmother.

I am Catholic. I was baptized as child and then that was it my husband was raised Catholic and I reverted once we were married. For my youngest I chose my sister in law and my little brother. My brother was not baptized Catholic. Mind you this was 4+ years ago but at the time I was told only one God Parent has to be a confirmed Catholic. I hope that helps when making your your choice.

First of all, I would not have the boy friend be the godfather unless you are really super comfy with it.

I am in a similar situation. I am Mormon and my hubby is Catholic. We have talked about Godparents since June. We have decided on his bro and wife. Hubby is not practicing since he only goes to Mass for a memorial, funeral, or wedding. He is not really into organized religion. I agreed to the baby being baptised Catholic just to ease his mind but I will be the one taking the child to church.