{"id":17,"date":"2008-08-15T12:49:51","date_gmt":"2008-08-15T16:49:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pbs.org\/wnet\/religionandethics\/2008\/08\/28\/belief-atheist-baby-naming\/17"},"modified":"2013-05-10T15:13:45","modified_gmt":"2013-05-10T19:13:45","slug":"atheist-baby-naming","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pbs.org\/wnet\/religionandethics\/2008\/08\/15\/atheist-baby-naming\/17\/","title":{"rendered":"Atheist Baby Naming"},"content":{"rendered":"

TIM O’BRIEN<\/strong>, guest anchor: A birth, a marriage, a death — these events are often surrounded by religious ritual and tradition. But how are those passages in life observed by those who do not believe in a God? We went to a baby-naming ceremony sponsored by the Atheist Alliance International. Its president, Margaret Downey, explains:<\/p>\n

MARGARET DOWNEY<\/strong> (Secular Officiant and President, Atheist Alliance International): Our ceremonies are based on real things such as love and honesty and commitment and the beauty of nature.<\/p>\n

We conduct “Welcome to the World” ceremonies, and they focus on appreciation of the birth of a child. In our case, we had two children to appreciate.<\/p>\n

We officially announce their names to friends and family.<\/p>\n

UNIDENTIFIED VOICE OF WOMAN<\/strong>: For in Greek Sophia means wisdom, and Lyra refers to music and lyrics.<\/p>\n

Ms. DOWNEY<\/strong>: We also give our promises to be mentors and “guideparents.” We don’t have godparents, so we use the terminology “guideparents.”<\/p>\n

PARENTS<\/strong> (speaking in unison): We accept this responsibility.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/p>\n

Margaret Downey<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

Ms. DOWNEY<\/strong>: Some people bring gifts. Gifts can range from anything from a thought to a scholarship.<\/p>\n

UNIDENTIFIED MAN #1<\/strong>: Look to this day, for it is life.<\/p>\n

Ms. DOWNEY<\/strong>: Sometimes we do readings. We typically research so that we make sure the poems and the prose do not contain religious jargon.<\/p>\n

UNIDENTIFIED MAN #2<\/strong>: They learn justice.<\/p>\n

Ms. DOWNEY<\/strong>: We have libraries filled with beautiful works.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/p>\n

Richard Dawkins<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

RICHARD DAWKINS<\/strong> (Biologist and Author of “The God Delusion,” reading): Of all the experiences of our lives, though, surely no event is more inspiring than the birth of a child.<\/p>\n

Ms. DOWNEY<\/strong>: Some parents try to find people that serve as good role models for the child. I mean, Richard Dawkins — what better role model could you have than him?<\/p>\n

Today the naming ceremony’s theme is “Stardust,” and what we did was we put stars around the tables. We put stars on the stage.<\/p>\n

We like ceremonies because it reinforces the fact that we have family and friends. It reinforces a date, a time, a marking in someone’s life, a special event, and atheists need that, too.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

TIM O’BRIEN, guest anchor: A birth, a marriage, a death — these events are often surrounded by religious ritual and tradition. But how are those passages in life observed by those who do not believe in a God? We went … More →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":16202,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[1308,1309,511],"class_list":["post-17","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-atheists","tag-baby-names","tag-children","topics-belief-and-practice"],"yoast_head":"\nAtheist Baby Naming | August 15, 2008 | Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly | PBS<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A birth, a marriage, a death -- these events are often surrounded by religious ritual and tradition. 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