Baptise because we're supposed to?

1. 58

   Thinker95posted 13 years ago

   My husband and I were both raised Catholic but no longer practice the Catholic faith because of our issues regarding Catholicism.  We have immense pressure from both of our families to baptize our daughter but we do not want to partake in a ceremony because we are expected to.  We want a baptism that is genuine and spiritual. Do we baptise her give her some religious foundation (we do believe in God and want to raise her to believe in God) even though we don't follow the Catholic faith?

   replyreport
   1. 60

      tantrumposted 13 years agoin reply to this

        I think you should baptise her. Let her decide when she's older if she wants to go on being a  catholic or not.It's not going to hurt her. An advice from a non believer. !

      replyreport
      1. 66

         Daniel Carterposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         I tend to agree with Tantrum. But in the end, it depends on how much of an issue this is to you. If baptism is not a hot button issue, then baptizing her to appease family and friends is not a big deal, because really, if you don't believe in it, it has no effect. So it doesn't hurt to appease those closest to you.
         
         If the issue of baptism is a big issue fraught with dotted "i's" and crossed "t's", then go with what your convictions as opposed to the convictions of others.
         
         There isn't anything inherently wrong with baptizing someone if baptism is not a big deal to you personally. It will appease many sides apparently, and in the end, it's your daughter's choice as to what she believes, regardless of what you and your husband or anyone else believes.
         
         In later life, she may appreciate greatly that she was baptized. And even if it has no meaning to her, there is still no harm done.

         replyreport
   2. 0

      rednckwmnposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      My 2 cents, I think you can give her a spiritual upbringing, a knowledge of scripture and God, without a baptism. Baptising your baby will not harm her, but if it goes against your beliefs, dont do it just to keep family members happy. If a person gets baptised, I feel it should be thier own choice. I feel you should guide your child, in spiritual matters, as you see fit, not anyone else's decison. I wish my parents had given me the freedom to explore, know the choices, the different beliefs, and make a decision on my own, as I got older. Whatever you decide, good luck. 

      replyreport
   3. 0

      sneakorocksolidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      We let our son decide when and where and he is happy with his choice. He was in high school when he decided but he was taught about the bible and we answered his questions best we could. This is about as liberal as we get, we felt he needed to have a clean slate and write his own story.

      replyreport
   4. 60

      dutchman1951posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Catholic, or Protestant the Baptism is a Symbolic Act "Only", of Your Obediance to God. You submit yourself to him as your Lord and Master. Show him you intend to follow in his steps.
      
      The Confirmation Right (Catholic Belief) or the Prayer or Decloration of Beliefe in God (Like in the Protestant beliefs, ie: Baptist, Methodist, Church of Christ etc...)
      
      This part ( The Prayer or Decloration or Right) is the the actual Uniting in the Body and Blood of Christ, where you recieve the grace.
      
      The argument is that the actual Prayer or Decloration takes a person capable of making a choice, thats why in Catholic Faith you make your Confirmation when you are Older and feel ready to.
      
      I am an ex Catholic myself. Lana is From Minsk (Russian Orthodox Church)
      
      The idea is, It has to be a concious choice to Choose God. So usualy, You are Older than an infant when you do it, and developed with a concience. In any religious path chosen you will find this true.
      
      Some will tell you it takes both, some say no just the Prayer, and some think if you are submerged in the water, (Sprinkled, diped, dunked etc..) then that is only thing that gets you there. (A Carte-Blanch to heaven!)
      
      I have lived in four US states, north and south, and
      Its an argument that goes on forever and ever, and will drive you nuts.
      
      In truth if you read the Bible, study the passages about it, It will come down to how you personaly interpret what God is telling you. My wife and I went through this with our daughter also. The in-laws drove us nuts about it.
      
      Basicly from our experiences, I would say- just baptise Her, and then Teach her about God, give her faith and hope and principles and scruples.
      
      Then let her decide when she is Old enough to, for herself. What path she choses to follow will be hers that way, and she will not be affronted by any Belief she did not choose. Or a belief that was pushed down her throat.
      
      Lana and I did that with Kylie and we did not regret it later.
      Best Wishes from us.
      
      Jon and Lana
      
      
      P.S.
      this is not perfect advise, others will argue I am sure, but I hope it helps the decision making some. Either way the In-laws will get on the soap box...so be prepaired! Stay Strong.
      
      Jon

      replyreport
2. 60

   Valerie Fposted 13 years ago

   Don't Baptize your daughter if you do not intend to raise her Catholic. On the other hand, if you do wish to raise her Christian as opposed to non-specific theist, don't withhold Baptism from her.

   replyreport
3. 60

   Valerie Fposted 13 years ago

   In the Catholic Church, Baptism isn't just a symbol- it imparts grace from God, so it is, in and of itself, spiritual.

   replyreport
   1. 0

      rednckwmnposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      My Mom was raised catholic, but I dont really know a whole lot about it. In some religions, if you are baptised, wrong doing is more severly punished then if your not. Is this the same of Catholics? what are the ramifications of, upon growing up, decidng to NOT be catholic? for example. a baby clearly has no idea what is going on. You say it has spiritual  benefits, so that is good. But, the child did not choose this themselves. What happens if, when they are bigger, they decide they dont agree with it? (...really..just asking, not starting a fight, I just dont know...)
      Oh, yeah, and HOW does being baptised, when you have no idea whats going on, impart grace from god? can it go away? what does grace from god even do? why cant every one have it? can only baptised people have it?

      replyreport
   2. 61

      UpHisAssposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Yes - God does not give grace to unbaptized babies. He does not want them. Wetting of the head is not symbolic - without it the baby is at great risk. 
      
      Good work making this clear. Thank you.

      replyreport
4. 60

   Valerie Fposted 13 years ago

   If a child grows up and decides they don't want to be Catholic, they should not receive Confirmation.

   replyreport
5. 69

   torimariposted 13 years ago

   Do what you and your husband feel is best!
   
   Is your family going to get upset over the child being baptized?
   
   Is it worth doing it if you don't intend to raise them Catholic or give them the choice later on?
   
   Even if you want to give a religious foundation, is Catholicism truly YOUR best option?
   
   So many questions and perspectives...

   replyreport
6. 58

   Thinker95posted 13 years ago

   We have attended Epispocal services and like the progressive nature of the faith.  We are meeting with a minister to discuss our concerns and questions.  I am leaning more towards a more formal baptism-like ceremony in lieu of the Baby Blessing ceremony we were planning.  I just don't want to do it because I'm expected to.  I want to genuinely feel comfortable with this instead of just rolling along with what's expected.
   
   Thank you for the great words of wisdom.  I got a lot out of everyone's opinions.

   replyreport
   1. 0

      rednckwmnposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      well, do what you feel is right. 

      replyreport
7. 60

   Valerie Fposted 13 years ago

   I didn't know there was any such thing as a "baptism-like ceremony." If there's water involved, and someone says, "I Baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit," that's generally recognized as nothing short of full Baptism.

   replyreport
   1. 68

      Make Moneyposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Yeah exactly.  In fact when people convert to the Catholic faith they are not Baptized again if they were already Baptized in certain denominations because the first one is recognized if done properly.
      
      There are lots of incidences in the Bible showing infant Baptism.  They are listed on this web page about the Sacrament of Baptism.

      replyreport
8. 61

   quietnessandtrustposted 13 years ago

   If you can find anyplace in the scripture where a baby is baptized, then do it.
   Otherwise, do not.
   
   In the scripture, people being baptized knew what was going on and why they did it.

   replyreport
   1. 0

      rednckwmnposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      wasnt Jesus in his 30's? or did I remember that wrong?

      replyreport
      1. 60

         atomswifeyposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         I believe he was red or at least close to that age, He was crucified at 33 so I believe its possible, as far as His baptism. Anyway, its certain he was an adult.

         replyreport
9. 0

   thetruthhurts2009posted 13 years ago

   Baptism is a command after salvation NOT a requirement in order to be saved.

   replyreport
10. 59

    ediggityposted 13 years ago

    You can always just do a dedication.  Then when the child gets older they can decide whether or not to be Baptized.

    replyreport
    1. 60

       atomswifeyposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Very good advice here ediggity

       replyreport