Articles Index

Should You Attend A Religious Wedding If Invited?

If this is simply a question of an invitation to attend a wedding ceremony which happens to be religious, there isn't much reason why you shouldn't go. The mere fact that the ceremony is religious shouldn't dissuade you unless the ceremonies are so long that you might fall asleep, are such that you can't avoid some level of participation which bothers you, or contain messages that you find particularly offensive.

Should You Attend a Religious Funeral If Invited?

Funerals are a difficult time for all involved. The loss of a loved one takes a terrible toll on those left behind, and often the funeral service plays an important role in people being able to say goodbye and move on with their lives. Very often, religious ceremonies are incorporated into funerals - ceremonies which might be a problem for atheists. Should atheists therefore refuse to attend?

Pressure from Religious Spouses to Baptize Your Child

If your spouse believes that a baptism is necessary, then you face an entirely different set of problems and choices than if the pressure only comes from your families. The two of you probably should have discussed this before you had children and before you were even married. If you did and this represents an attempt by your spouse to alter the earlier agreement, your feelings of discomfort will be understandably increased.

Pressure from Religious Families to Baptize Your Child

Although it shouldn't be too much of an imposition to accept an invitation to someone else's baptism or christening, matters are very different when you are expected to actively participate in such a ceremony by having your own child baptized. Whether the pressure comes from your own family, your in-laws, or even your spouse, you are being put in a very difficult position where no easy choice is obvious. But you have to choose something, so what do you do?

Should Atheists Attend Someone Else's Baptism?

Questions about christening and baptism ceremonies are pretty common, perhaps because the ceremonies themselves are so common. There are two different situations where an atheist might be faced with attending them: either they are invited to attend the baptism of an infant, or they are invited to attend the baptism of an adult.

Atheists Attending Religious Ceremonies

Most atheists have quite a few religious friends and relatives. Many of them may even be devoutly religious, following their traditions and practices with regularity and sincerity. If they consider you close and important in their lives, it is very likely that at some point they will invite you to participate in some religious ceremony or ritual. What should you do?