[HPforGrownups] religion in the WW (wasRe: the missing godparent)

[Suzanne Chiles]

No: HPFGUIDX 88350

JustCarol says:

> But having godparents isn't comparable to using "cool" expressions.
> The word "godparents" has God in it and relates to the ceremony of
> baptism (or possibly some similar rite in other religions). If the WW
> has kept the secular elements of Christmas (Father Christmas, aka
> Santa Claus) and Easter candy but discarded the religious elements
> (rather like American department stores), wouldn't they change the
> term "godparent" to something else?

I know of many, many situations of persons who are godparents where there
are no religious beliefs for either the child's family nor that of the
godparent. In fact, I myself, an atheist, am a godparent.

The use of the word may not be according to the beliefs of the church, but
many people use this term with absolutely no religious overtones whatsoever.

Suzanne