Children choosing to be baptized

[idav]

What age is appropriate to allow a child to choose to be baptized Christian? Lets say if the parents arent particularly religious and mom is actually atheist. Children are getting indoctrinated through friends and school even though the parents are not preaching. The child wants to be cleansed of sins but says god will judge everyone, so, he doesnt think he will go to hell for not being baptized.

Any thoughts or anyone come across something like this? We dont go to any church so not sure.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Often, baptism marks the point when a person becomes a member of the church, so in those cases, I would suggest waiting until the point when the parents would feel comfortable allowing the child to attend services unsupervised (since if the parents aren't religious themselves, putting them in the position where they'd have to go to church with him/her would be quite a burden).

Personally (and I say this as someone without kids), if it was my kids, I would wait until they were 18. I'd still have concerns, but at that age, we're generally supposed to be responsible for ourselves.

 

[Reverend Rick]

I say at least 12 years old.

 

[dawny0826]

I personally don't think that age is relevant, if the baptism is something that the child desires. Personally, I'm of the belief that water baptism is moot unless the person (of any age) understands the significance and is a willing participant in their own spiritual transformation.

Just my two cents.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

I'd say 12 or 13 at the earliest. Before that age, any such notions a child had would be empty of any real understanding of the ritual. For many people, such understanding wouldn't come til much later.

 

[fantome profane]

I think it depends on the child, but in general I agree that around 12 or 13 is reasonable. But regardless of the age, I would make them wait a period of time, a few months maybe. If this is something they really want to do a few months will make no difference. If this is an impulse or peer-pressure they may forget about it after some time.

 

[idav]

The kid is gonna be 13 here soon. I figure that is a good age too, at least he is passed believing it in Santa since he called us on it at a very early age. But he believes in god somehow, I wouldn't even know what church to go for a baptism. Just pick random or non denominational or maybe the UU. I have actually taken the kiddos to UU.

 

[Adept]

What age is appropriate to allow a child to choose to be baptized Christian? Lets say if the parents arent particularly religious and mom is actually atheist. Children are getting indoctrinated through friends and school even though the parents are not preaching. The child wants to be cleansed of sins but says god will judge everyone, so, he doesnt think he will go to hell for not being baptized.

Any thoughts or anyone come across something like this? We dont go to any church so not sure.

18 years old, same time other decisions are up to individuals.

 

[Sees]

Are some people using baptism as a coming of age ceremony?

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

They can get Baptized whenever they want, imo. Their parents should respect their choice. As long as it's not some radical right-wing sect or something.

But then, I'm Catholic and we practice infant Baptism. When I have kids, I'm getting them Baptized ASAP. Lol.

 

[oldbadger]

In the Church of England they must do it differently.
Babies are baptised in infancy.
CofE Christians confirm their faith in their early to late teens.
They have to attend 'Confirmation' classes to ensure that they understand CofE Christianity.
A CofE Christian is not supposed to take communion until after 'Confirmation'.
Once they have 'confirmed' their faith in the presence of a bishop, they are 'full' CofE Christians.

This may be out of date by now, but that's how it worked back in the 50's and 60's.

 

[InformedIgnorance]

What age is appropriate to sign up to a phone contract or take on a mortgage?

Surely forming an agreement which is intended to be eternal in duration and of unparalleled impact on an individual (certainly more so than that of a phone contract), is an agreement which like all far lesser contracts requires that the individual be giving their informed consent. Indeed the level of awareness should be proportional to the potential impact of the agreement and its alternatives, while the consent without hint of undue influence (such as fear of punishment). Given that, it would likely be that someone would need to have reached their emotional and intellectual potential, an age which varies between individuals but on average would be at least 16, probably closer to 20 though given the undue influence, I doubt it is possible that at any age the force used to influence the outcomes of the decision could be considered justifiable.

 

[fantome profane]

The kid is gonna be 13 here soon. I figure that is a good age too, at least he is passed believing it in Santa since he called us on it at a very early age. But he believes in god somehow, I wouldn't even know what church to go for a baptism. Just pick random or non denominational or maybe the UU. I have actually taken the kiddos to UU.

If the kid is old enough to decide he wants to be baptized, then he is old enough to find a church and make the arrangements himself. Make him do the research. If this is beyond him, that may indicate that he is not old enough to make this decision.

 

[BSM1]

I was baptized by my choice at eight. That was a Sunday. By the next Sunday the preacher ran me out of his office for asking too many Biblical questions. LOL. Depends on the kid but it should be entirely their choice.

 

[Reverend Rick]

Folks in favor of delayed baptism to ages like 16-21, how do you feel about piercings?

 

[Mycroft]

What age is appropriate to allow a child to choose to be baptized Christian?

I'd say at least 16 years old. And only after they've been given all points of view. From Atheism to theism to polytheism, &c. That way they can make an informed decision about what they want to do with their lives.

As for piercings. I'd say 16 upward. Same for tattoos and anything like that.

 

[Mycroft]

I was baptized by my choice at eight. That was a Sunday. By the next Sunday the preacher ran me out of his office for asking too many Biblical questions. LOL. Depends on the kid but it should be entirely their choice.

Were you raised from an infant age to believe that jesus was real?

 

[Reverend Rick]

12 for baptism and ear rings. 16 for belly button ring, (my 14 year old had a cow). 18 for tattoos.

 

[Sees]

12 for baptism and ear rings. 16 for belly button ring, (my 14 year old had a cow). 18 for tattoos.

18 for tattoos only because we don't really have a definitive say any more...but ask them to please consider carefully how it can prevent certain jobs/positions.

My wife took our daughter to get her ears pierced before she was 2...I only had an afterthought and did not like that. I would have preferred she waited till 10 or older.

It's hard to say with ages when people mentally and emotionally mature at such different rates. Maybe stay fluid and decide on the individual readiness assuming there are not siblings who will complain

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Folks in favor of delayed baptism to ages like 16-21, how do you feel about piercings?

Piercings that can re-heal and don't carry any social stigma: old enough that the kid understands what's involved, clearly expresses that they want them, and can care for a new piercing properly. Say 12-13, probably.

Things like spacers: 18. At that age, I would still have concerns that he or she would regret it, but they're supposed to be responsible for their own actions by that age.