The purpose of a god parent is should the parents both die, the God parent would get custody and responsibility of the child. It's not....religious per se

Get over yourself! What your sister is saying to you is that out of all of the people in her life, she trusts that you are the best suited when it comes to raising her kids should something happen to her or her significant other. Is it really that important how it is phrased?

I just see it as the person who takes a special interest in the child/would take care of them if the unthinkable happened... Despite the wording, I don't attach any religious significance to it.

I’ve never put the religious aspect into it. I’m godparent to quiet a few kids out there. Just because it’s called God-parent, it doesn’t make it religious. It’s more traditional to me and my friends rather than religious.

But that’s just my opinion.

I am a Godfather to a Catholic boy and a Protestant Girl....what can I say I'm an Athiest that provides sound parental advice...across the religious devide.

A god parent has a similar historical basis as a best man. God parents were chosen so that in the case of the parents dying or, in the case of nobility being held hostage or being widowed & remarried (etc), the child would be raised by the registered god parents who were usually registered at the christening (the then official church kept records). Just like the best man was the noble groom's proxy, going to fetch the bride, going through a ceremony & standing in for the groom, then escorting the bride back to the groom.

It’s a turn of phrase. I it’s the relationship that counts. I say oh my god loads of times per day. I am not actually appealing to a god, it’s just a word.

Do you celebrate Christmas? Or Valentine's Day? Or say "God Damn it!" ? I'm sure you get my point. Accommodating to social constructs isn't cause for your "Agnostic Card" to be revoked, unless you're so declarative that it goes against your principals. Understanding the responsibilities to the title is truly the important part. The honor and respect you sister must have for you to bestow such confidence in you, as to proclaiming you potential guardian if anything would occur, is beautiful to acknowledge.

I've been asked before by my brother. I let him know that I'd be happy to be a legal guardian, should the need ever arise. He knows my position on religion, and agreed.

I was raised catholic. I relied on my family to tell me the rules cause i was too lazy to read them. They told me that god parents were the ones who baptized you as a baby and would take on the responsiblity of taking care of you as well as keeping you in the church if something happened to your parents. So I don't think you are being inconsistent as long as your sister understands that you are not responsible for the child's religious teaching, only for their care. She might want to choose an additional person to guide the child religiously if she wants.

I like you to be my god girlfriend ,you good in that field (god). etc...lol

Take it as cultural...?

Hi where are u u from den

The role of a god parent in a Catholic context is that if the parents die then the god father indoctrinates the child in Catholism.

I always thought traditionally God-parent was an agreement to step and and help raise the kid, much like an uncle or aunt, esp. if some type of death occurred. I realize it has probably changed over the years, but if I was asked, I would want to know what that meant and what would be expected.

I have two “goddaughters” through the Catholic Church... each of their godfathers is Catholic, that was the only requirement I believe since there was no way I would pretend to be Catholic... I smiled and mumbled my way through all of the Church part...

I am a god father to a few friends' sons, but none of us are religious. I look at it as an empty phrase to say "important family friend" (or important family member in your case).

When I was still a believer,we had godparents present at Baptism for our children. Sadly, they did not remain active in our sons lives. I never knew why? One of these was my brother!

I'm sorry that your sister has married a man who's a bother. As for being a godparent - you don't have to make it religious. You just have to be there for your niece when she needs you.

I have one. But I call myself her “Ra-father”

I have a godson, but did not feel comfortable standing up in front of a crowd and promising to see to it that he was raised in the ways of the catholic church, as his grandparents hoped I would. Fortunately his mother is not religious either, and so I'm a godmother in the way that means I'm there for him no matter what he needs as he grows up. He does not appear to have any religious inclination, and that makes me oddly proud. He's a bright little creature, I really believe he's going to bring great things to the world.

My other half happened to be raised catholic, and jumped through all their hoops as a child/teen, so he is popular with his friends as a godfather. Apparently a lot of churches like to be able to verify baptisms and confirmations and... I dunno, things he apparently did? So far we don't have any role other than babysitters and fun aunt/uncle. Because they are his friends, not really mine, I'll leave it up to him as to how seriously he wants to take the religious role.

It's a bizarre concept to me. I have heard some people talk about it as if it means something, but I shake my head. They must be missing something in their lives.

Yes, I was asked, but the offer was later rescinded after I got a divorce.

I am not certain but I think the term was used to ensure that someone would raise the child in the ways of the Bible. A sort of Christian insurance. Obviously not the same imperative now.