It's called being a GODparent for a reason.

In this case, he couldn't be a godfather because it totally is a religious thing. A legal guardian, however, might be more appropriate, but if you ARE religious, you'd probably want someone who would raise your child with your same values

Dictionary.com: godparent (ˈɡɒdˌpɛərənt) — n a person who stands sponsor to another at baptism But not everyone uses the term correctly so nobody is an idiot here, just a silly misunderstanding.

He is right though. Being a godparent is a religious commitment. It would make absolutely no sense to ask someone who does not share your beliefs. He should'nt have been so rude though, but I don't see how this is "**** my life."

You're obviously not as close if you didn't know he's an atheist and that he's that inconsiderate!

If you are "best friends" how did you not know they were atheist?

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. definition from legal definition.com

I'm atheist and I would be offended if someone asked me to be a godmother I am not stepping foot near any religious establishments again uh uh. I believe a god parent is someone responsible for the the child's religious journey if the parent does not fulfill the role or dies I got that off a catholic website. If I was asked to do such a job I would turn the child into a Christ hating lunatic just saying if you want a good god parent ask someone who will speak fondly of a god not someone who thinks the bible is a bunch of convoluted backwards crap stories that don't make sense.

Obviously you two have different ideas of what being a godfather entails, so why not just figure out something that would work for both of you? If you did not intend for the role to be religious, you could come up with your own spin on it (and perhaps call it something else).

You are ignorant it is a ceremony in a church a god parent does not take legal custody of a child unless the necessary paperwork has been done stating in event of an accident they have sole custody of said child