Do Baptists have Godparents at baptisms?

Answer 1

No. The Baptist church doesn't have infant baptism where the function of godparents is to speak for the child. As the person to be baptized in a Baptist church must be able to have decided for themselves on following Christ and receiving baptism, they don't have godparents to speak for them.

Answer 2

Yes, in the Roman Catholic church a Godparent are considered mandatory, although there are some exceptions. For adult baptism the adult chooses the sponsor, for infants the parents choose. Sometimes the priest may recommend someone if the parents require help choosing.

According to the Code of Canon Law, "Insofar as possible, one to be baptized is to be given a sponsor who is to assist an adult in Christian initiation, or, together with the parents, to present an infant at the baptism, and who will help the baptized to lead a Christian life in harmony with baptism, and to fulfill faithfully the obligations connected with it" (No. 872).

Strictly speaking, a person only needs one sponsor for baptism - male or female, but may have two sponsors, one male and one female. Here the Code of Canon Law wants to eliminate the practice of having numerous sponsors, as has occurred in some cultures (No. 873). Also, in the case of an emergency, such as imminent death, no sponsor is needed.

Not just anyone can be a godparent or sponsor. The person must be at least 16 years old and a practicing Catholic, and this must be attested to by the potential godparent/sponsor's priest. One big criticism that priests have is being asked to attest to those who are nominally Catholic. A Catholic who does not practice the faith by regularly attending Mass or who is in an invalid marriage disqualifies himself from being a godparent. Moreover, if a person is Catholic but antagonistic to the faith, i.e. has the attitude "I am a Catholic but...," and would not be a good example and witness to the faith also disqualifies himself. If a person is not striving to fulfill his own obligations of baptism and confirmation, he will not fulfill the responsibilities of helping another to do so.

Answer 3

Yes, in general, and they need to be approved by the church. However, if they cannot make it, a proxy can stand in for them. The proxy should be Catholic.

No they don't need to be present. If you want them to come they can but if not then they wont.

Answer 4

Yes, Catholics have Godparents.

Answer 5

No.