by Janette Peel

Created on: November 16, 2007   Last Updated: December 04, 2007

Godparenting is predominantly a Christian tradition, but the custom of giving a child a supportive extended family is found in many other cultures.

Anyone who has ever been asked to be a child's godparent will know how special it is. The modern Godparenting relationship is a complex one. The role may be recognition of a special relationship between adults and, in an increasingly materialistic world, godparents may even be chosen with financial gain in mind. But the origins of Godparenting are less materialistic and have more to do with religion and kinship.

The tradition of godparents can be traced back to the early Christian church, when adults wanting to join the church would be appointed a sponsor to help them make their way on their spiritual journey.

Before the 4th century it was rare for babies to be baptized; the role of their sponsors was to assist the child's mother and father, acting a co-parents, or compadres' as they are known in Latin and Hispanic cultures.

The part a godparent is expected to play in a child's life differs according to religion and culture. In the Latin and Hispanic worlds, the tradition has its origins in faith, but the custom has evolved into a very particular kind or friendship and extended kinship.

Originally, the role was predominantly spiritual, requiring the godparents to instruct their godchild in religious matters. In Latin and Hispanic communities, the relationship is regarded as being as close as that between blood relatives, and Roman Catholic godparents are still forbidden to marry their godchild.

In the Pagan religion, godparents have no spiritual role, they are only asked to provide the child with love and support.

Although the custom of Godparenting has changed over the years, the sentiment behind it has always remained the same to bless a child with extra love and support.

Some godparents have achieved mythical and legendary status. Two stand head and shoulders above the rest. The Godfather', immortalized in Mario Puzo's novels, and The fairy Godmother', a rather more benign creation, but just as powerful.

The Fairy Godmother has the kind of special powers that any parents would want a friend or substitute parent to have for the benefit of their child. A true guardian angel, she makes wishes come true and comes to the rescue when family has failed you.

The Godfather, on the other hand, exercised a rather more authoritarian hold over his extended family, but the principle of Godparenting is still there a stand-in-parent who

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