Missed this while I was away: Interesting post at Irish Eagle about whether non-believers should take part in church sacraments. As an atheist who is more intolerant of agnostics than believers and who has just had his daughter baptised I thought I should chip in with my thoughts, albeit a week later.
The first thing I'd like to say is that, even restricting this discussion to Christianity, there is a difference here between Protestantism and Catholicism. As I understand it, so long as that person believes in God, there should be no reason to deny a "non-observant" Protestant any church sacrament. Catholicism by contrast, despite how it is currently practised, is supposed to be doctrinaire. John is quite right that it is somewhat of a sham for non-practicing "Catholics" to avail of sacraments because churches make such nice backdrops for weddings.
But: I think it is important to make the distinction, elided by Backseat Driver Jon in the comments between sacraments for adults such as weddings and sacraments for children such as baptism or communion. There certainly may be, as Jon avers, conformist reasons to have one's child baptised but there is a perfectly good justification for doing so regardless of such peer pressure, so long as one follows through.
I am an atheist who was brought up Catholic. I chose atheism but was grateful for the background moral framework provided by religion. I don't think there is a better way of inculcating morality and responsibility. But that is not the main point. I don't think it is meaningful to talk about children practicing religion. This is evidenced by the sacrament of confirmation, the purpose of which is for the child, sufficiently mature to make this decision, to confim their choice of that religion.
Thus, it is not a bad idea to give the child the option of choosing religion by having them baptised, and letting them make communion. Of course it follows that you should allow them participate properly by attending mass regularly. Then when they are mature enough they can decide whether to continue with religious practice. If, in passing, they acquire a sound moral framework so much the better.
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