How to do godparents without being member of a church?

Question

My partner and I consider ourselves to be Christian but we do not go to any specific church,partly because we are a same sex couple and many churches have a problem with that. Our daughter was born 6 weeks ago and my partner's family really wants her to be baptized and given godparents, as everyone else in the family has had this done and it's kind of a family tradition, even though church going is not much of a family tradition. We don't have a problem assigning godparents (in a ceremonial way, in our eyes kind of just an honor position) as we have already picked my partner's younger brother and our best friend to fill the roles, but we don't know how to go about this. Since we don't go to a church is there any way to do this? I was never baptized, my partner was as an infant in England.

Update:

I mean to say that having "godparents" is a family tradition. I don't really care to have her baptized, as I believe baptism should be done once the person is old enough to understand and choose to have it done. I don't think babies need to be cleansed of sin as what sin have they done that they need to be cleansed of?

We will probably just have a private little party for our chosen "godparents

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Since being a godparent has absolutely no legal standing, you don't have to be a member of a church to do it. Just organize a little party by yourselves with friends and family around to announce your decision. Maybe make certificates or something as a memory for the lucky godparents.

J-lynn · Answer

Find the church in your area and that is where you would legally have to do it. If you have another church in mind, you actually have to get permission from "your" church to do so. Even if you do not attend said church, it's ok. Usually they make you attend a class or two before the baptism also. One other thing to keep in mind is that at least one of the Godparents has to be of the same faith as the baptizing church. If neither of them are, you will have to have someone "fill in" for one of them for the ceremony.

Jennifer M · Answer

Find yourself one of those pseudo-Christian mega-churches that have absolutely no rules about anything, and get your kid baptized there.

Baptizing a child is not a tradition, a custom, or a game.  It's supposed to be about cleansing Original Sin, claiming your child's soul for God, and committing to raising your child in the faith of Jesus Christ.  You're doing it for the wrong reasons, so it will be meaningless anyway.  So you may as well find a substanceless place, which will give you the least hassle, to do it.

Ethel · Answer

ELCA Lutherans, Methodists and Presbyterians all welcome gay couples - just join a church.  I think you can have your partnership blessed in the Methodist church as well.

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How to do godparents without being member of a church?

4 Answers