Mmm. Flying spaghetti monster...*drools* ...I think I just foodgasmed.

*you're

And yes it does.

I think people just needed a reason to be assholes about this. Everyone knows what he meant by godfather, except possibly his friend... I'm sure if his friend sincerely misunderstood it's been worked out. Also, OP's ignorance toward why his friend responded that way was probably due to the fact that a lot of people use godparent in a nonreligious way.

I believe it's a tradition in the Catholic church.

well, once upon a time, there used to be this person that a child's parent would pick that would, in the event of tragedy of the parents, take said child and make sure that said child would go through the religious aspects like confirmation. This person the parent would pick was called a "godparent". A fully religious term originally very much like "marriage". In fact to have your child baptized in the Catholic religion(why you would originally have godparents) at least one of the godparents need to be Catholic(at least the diocese around where I am from)

It doesn't sound like his buddy really gave him the chance to explain what it means to him (OP) before getting offended. I also doubt OP would want to force religious beliefs on his atheist friend. The story ended with "huh?" which implies OP had no intent to make the role of Godfather a religious thing.

I have two great godparents. My family is religious, but religion has no ties to my and my godparents' relationship.

No, a godparent is the legal guardian should the parents die. Should my sister and her husband die, the custody of their son is given to the god parents. In this case that is the two close friends they had be his godparents. Custody wouldn't go to my parents or my older sister. It would go to the godparents.

only if you have LEGAL paperwork stating that is the case. Historically speaking, a godparent is a religious term.

A godparent is chosen by the parents of a newborn Catholic. Under Canon Law 872-874, there are specific requirements to qualify as a godparent. Only one godparent is required, but two are allowed if they are of the opposite sex. If there is only one, a Christian witness might be asked. A Christian witness needs to be a baptized Christian. The godparent needs to be a Catholic at least 16 years old who has had the sacraments of baptism, reconciliation, holy communion, and confirmation. They can’t be the baby’s mother or father. The godparents must not be bound by canonical penalty. They must have a desire to be a godparent and be willing to help teach the faith to the child if necessary. Regarding the first requirement that a godparent be Catholic, there is one exception. For a just cause, it is permitted to admit the Christian faithful of another Eastern non-Catholic Church to the function of a sponsor, but always at the same time with a Catholic sponsor.This means that a Ukrainian Catholic may have a Russian Orthodox godparent, provided that there is a good reason for it (family relationship) and he also has another Catholic godparent. Godparents must attend the baptism to say their commitment. They should have a close and supportive relationship with the family. They need to be a good Christian. According to Christian Initation, General Introduction, the official praenotanda of the Rite of Christian Initiation, the following guidelines apply to godparents: 10. A godparent has to be approved by the judgment of the parish priest (pastor) being qualified to carry out the proper liturgical functions. 10.1. Each candidate may have either a godmother or a godfather or both a godmother and a godfather. 10.2. Those designated must have the capability and intention of carrying out the responsibility of a godparent and be mature enough to do so. A person 16 years of age is presumed to have the requisite maturity, but the diocesan bishop may have stipulated another age or the parish priest (pastor) or the minister may decide that there is a legitimate reason for allowing an exception. 10.3. Those designated as godparents must have received the three sacraments of initiation, baptism, confirmation, and eucharist, and be living a life consistent with faith and with the responsibility of a godparent. 10.4. Those desginated as godprents must also be members of the Catholic Church and be canonically free to carry out this office. At the request of parents, a baptized and believing Christian not belonging to the Catholic Church may act as a Christian witness along with a Catholic godparent.

Thank goodness someone here has a brain and the sense to use it. I'm shocked by all the people who think legal guardian and godparent are one in the same. Unless it is in your will, those you appoint as godparents will not become the legal guardian of your children in the case of your death! And think of all of the people who have multiple children, all with different godparents. What, so if you die the state is going to split up all the kids and ship them off to their respective godparents? No people, that is NOT how it works! (and thank god for that)