Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Language/2014 July 29

= July 29 =

What's the difference between "godparent", "adoptive parent", and "foster parent"?
What's the difference between the three? What does it mean to be a "fairy godmother" and not a "fairy adoptive mother" or "fairy foster mother"? 65.24.105.132 (talk) 03:18, 29 July 2014 (UTC)
 * See Adoption, Fostering and Godparent. Fostering is a temporary arrangement, entered into for instance if a parent is unable to take care of the child.  Adoption is (supposed to be) a more permanent situation, where the adopters become the "legal" parents.  A god parent doesn't assume total responsibility for the child, but becomes a "sponsor", originally specifically for the baptism, but these days more generally, giving support to the parents and child.  Rojomoke (talk) 03:39, 29 July 2014 (UTC)


 * The only place you'll find a "fairy godmother" is, fittingly, in a fairy tale. And I don't think you'll find any significant usage of "fairy adoptive mother" or "fairy foster mother". ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 04:11, 29 July 2014 (UTC)


 * Within 6 months in 1984-85, I went from step-father to adoptive father to biological father. Later, I became a fairy. :)  --  Jack of Oz   [pleasantries]  04:22, 29 July 2014 (UTC)


 * Since you brought that up, and at the risk of this subject mushrooming, I do wonder - at a same-sex wedding, do they give each other a fairy ring? ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 04:29, 29 July 2014 (UTC)


 * And then shove fairy cake in each other's faces ? StuRat (talk) 05:34, 29 July 2014 (UTC)

I heard that if the parents die, the godparent is supposed to take care of the orphaned kids.--24.228.94.244 (talk) 07:08, 29 July 2014 (UTC)


 * Yes, Godparent says that part of the role is "to take care of the child should anything happen to the parents." HiLo48 (talk) 08:17, 29 July 2014 (UTC)
 * Hence my question. My question includes a subquestion: does being a godparent mean being an adoptive parent/foster parent? 65.24.105.132 (talk) 11:18, 29 July 2014 (UTC)


 * The role of godparent is to ensure that the children are brought up "correctly" in the church (so basically if your parents aren't that keen on religion your godparents step in to ensure that you are...).
 * Traditionally, it wouldn't be uncommon for both parents to die from random diseases, and then for the children to be left in the care of either other family members, or the church. Remember the church was traditionally the centre of social welfare, so the rich landowners would be expected to pay money for the upkeep of the poor.  Godparents would often therefore be family members, or substitute family members if you didn't have many real family members.  They would be expected to help bring up the children if they were orphaned, and might therefore go onto adopt.  However, it's not a requirement; adults can usually work something out. Barney the barney barney (talk) 11:41, 29 July 2014 (UTC)
 * We take our modern medicine and social safety net for granted. In the old days, generally if you got sick you died. Life was precarious. Everyone knew that every day was a gift. ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 02:37, 31 July 2014 (UTC)

Anyone know Arabic?
I've been seeing this anti-Islam video a lot on social media: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA78e7Vh_XE

Do the subtitles represent an accurate translation of what this imam is saying? Or did some joker add the subtitles to make Islam look bad?

And if the subtitles are accurate, is this man quite serious? Or is he some sort of standup comedian or actor?--24.228.94.244 (talk) 07:04, 29 July 2014 (UTC)


 * Memritv.org is a legit organization, so much can be said. Do you grant this much benefit of the doubt to all groups?Asmrulz (talk) 17:31, 29 July 2014 (UTC)


 * The translation is true to what the Sheikh says, and he is not joking. There are many such promises for male believers in Islamic traditions. Omidinist (talk) 18:02, 29 July 2014 (UTC)


 * For reference on Wikipedia, see also Houri, including the subsection on 72 virgins. ---Sluzzelin talk  18:05, 29 July 2014 (UTC)


 * We also have an article on "Middle East Media Research Institute" (MEMRI). Gabbe (talk) 02:29, 30 July 2014 (UTC)