You know, as American beliefs evolve, so does the concept of godparents. What once was a strictly religious role has shifted into more of a secular one focused on emotional support. I grew up in a Catholic household and had a godparent, but honestly, I never really thought of their role as being all that religious. Now, as part of a Unitarian Universalist community, my kids don’t have godparents either. Instead, we chose to celebrate them through a Child Dedication Ceremony where we, along with our congregation, promise to support them.
Occasionally, my kids ask why they don’t have godparents, and my partner and I explain that some faiths assign special grown-ups to play that role. However, in our case, we prefer to foster relationships with a diverse group of people—not for religious reasons, but for personal connections.
Interestingly, the role of godparent hasn’t always had a religious significance. As Bernice Thompson, a researcher in adult religious education, pointed out, godparents held more social importance than spiritual. They were seen as good friends of the parents or influential community members. Sometimes, godparents were even chosen to mend family feuds or strengthen business ties—definitely a different take on the role!
I personally appreciate the term “guide parent.” It’s a great way to describe someone who plays a special part in a child’s life without the religious undertones. Many parents look for someone they admire to be an additional role model for their kids. My husband and I are actually godparents to one of our nieces, but our relationship with her is rooted in love and guidance rather than religious obligations. That’s what really matters in the end.
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In summary, while my kids don’t have godparents, that doesn’t make their lives any less rich in support and love from various adult figures around them. The importance of these relationships often transcends traditional roles, focusing instead on guidance and friendship.
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