Children choosing to be baptized

[roger1440]

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

I would say around 40

 

[BSM1]

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

More like the church was real. Never really understood the teachings of Yeshua until I got away from organized religion in my teen years. I believe everyone has to find their own truth when it comes to faith, and churches of all denominations and beliefs have a vested interest in bending minds to their particular dogma. Questions will cause a religion to crumble before your very eyes.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

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

I'm against them for young kids.

For a piercing that will heal over easily and doesn't carry any social stigma, I think the child should be old enough to express that he or she really wants the piercing, knows what it entails, and is responsible enough to care for the new piercing so it doesn't get infected. Say 12-13.

For piercings that won't heal over if they become unwanted or could make life more difficult for a person (e.g. spacers), the age would increase depending on the specifics.

 

[ChristineES]

I agree, parents should respect the child's choice as long as they feel that he or she is mature enough to make such a decision.
Baptism is only an outward symbol and the child can change his or her mind later on about their faith or lack of faith.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

I agree, parents should respect the child's choice as long as they feel that he or she is mature enough to make such a decision.
Baptism is only an outward symbol and the child can change his or her mind later on about their faith or lack of faith.

... but not necessarily easily, and not necessarily without negative consequences. I've heard plenty of former theists report that they keep having irrational worries about things like going to Hell long after they've stopped believing. Edit: AFAIK, these effects tend to mainly happen to people who were introduced to religion while very young, so if the child's isn't allowed to join a church until later, then this should do quite a bit to prevent this from happening.

Also, adolescence is a time when having a support network of peers is really important. I see danger in setting up a young child for a situation where keeping their support network is going to be contingent on keeping their beliefs. This varies from church to church, but in many cases, the church can take on a central role in a person's social life. If a child joins a church at a very young age and cultivates all their friendships there, then if they have a change of faith as a teen, then they may lose their support network just when any teen needs it most.

 

[Nyingjé Tso]

Vanakkam,

I was baptised as a baby and nobody asked them my opinion. It was more for "tradition" as my parents are more agnostic than catholics actually. When I asked, they just told me that if one day I wanted to be christian, then being baptised will help being welcomed. They later tried to get me to church when I was a child, but I ended up causing such a trouble (yes, I didn't agree at all with catholicism, it is personal opinion) that I was sent home to go back watching yu gi oh and they never bothered me anymore ever with church xD

Anyway, all this to say, right now I don't care about being baptised or not. But if I had a choice, I would have choosed not to receive it. It is something, like a spiritual stigma, that I never asked for and never wanted.

So, when I have a child (ayeee I guess it's unevitable ) I will raise him/her according to my religion, but with the absolute choice to look elsewhere. Should my children express the need to be baptised, I would prefer to wait 'til teenage years, like 14, 15 year old, and not do this in a haste. This is a very important ritual, and I wouldn't want it to be a part of "just a phase".

So I think the children should have the age to be a minimum responsible, and before anything, have a good talk with his/her parents.

Aum Namah Shivaya

 

[Ingledsva]

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.

Why? Shouldn't the decision be made by them when they are educated and old enough to know what they want? I would say at least 18.


I was baptized Catholic at birth, and sent through all the catechism bull.


I got away from it as soon as I turned 18. It was my parent's religion - not mine.


I actually called the church I was baptized in, and asked them to remove my name from their records. People leaving churches should do this, as you are being counted in their percentage numbers in polls.



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[Ingledsva]

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

I think piercings and tattoos shouldn't be allowed until 18.

I have family members whom are tattoo artists, and piercers. They say people should be at least 18 when they get these fairly permanent body alterations.

In fact they talked about the number of infections and rip-outs that people get. They have to use special cleaners on their surfaces that kill hiv/aids and the like. They also have blood born pathogens certifications. They do a lot of repair work on problems caused by quack (or drugged-up) tattoo artists and piercers.

They also noted that the fancy coiled striking cobra tattoo that you got when you were young, is going to look like a pile of dog-poop when your skin wrinkles and sags. So - do it when you are older - and think carefully about what you get.


I also don't think parents should be able to circumcise their children. The child at 18 should decide for him/herself if they want this done to their bodies.



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[Saint Frankenstein]

Why? Shouldn't the decision be made by them when they are educated and old enough to know what they want? I would say at least 18.


I was baptized Catholic at birth, and sent through all the catechism bull.


I got away from it as soon as I turned 18. It was my parent's religion - not mine.


I actually called the church I was baptized in, and asked them to remove my name from their records. People leaving churches should do this, as you are being counted in their percentage numbers in polls.

Because it's our tradition and I want to raise my kid(s) as a part of my religion. If they later on decide that they don't want to be Catholic, that's their choice to make. But I'm still getting them Baptized as children.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

I think piercings and tattoos shouldn't be allowed until 18.

I have family members whom are tattoo artists, and piercers. They say people should be at least 18 when they get these fairly permanent body alterations.

In fact they talked about the number of infections and rip-outs that people get. They have to use special cleaners on their surfaces that kill hiv/aids and the like. They also have blood born pathogens certifications. They do a lot of repair work on problems caused by quack (or drugged-up) tattoo artists and piercers.

They also noted that that fancy coiled striking cobra tattoo that you got when you were young, is going to look like a pile of dog-poop when your skin wrinkles and sags. So - do it when you are older - and think carefully about what you get.


I also don't think parents should be able to circumcise their children. The child at 18 should decide for him/herself if they want this done to their bodies.

Tattoos are one thing (and I'm sick of people talking nonsense about how "messy" it looks when you're older - if it looks like crap, maybe your tattoo artist friends should blame themselves for sucking), but I see nothing wrong with getting a piercing when underage. It's really not that big a deal. I had my eyebrow pierced when I was 12 and that was ripped out, so I have a gouge mark now but I don't care. It really doesn't matter and it was my fault, anyway. I got my lip pierced when I was about 15 and I still have that. It really depends on how mature the person is. Most teenagers seem to be able to take care of them. The ones that don't will learn a lesson like I did.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Because it's our tradition and I want to raise my kid(s) as a part of my religion. If they later on decide that they don't want to be Catholic, that's their choice to make. But I'm still getting them Baptized as children.

This raises some points that aren't relevant to this thread. Mind if I make a new thread about this post?

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

This raises some points that aren't relevant to this thread. Mind if I make a new thread about this post?

If you want. Just don't make it about me.

 

[Ingledsva]

I think piercings and tattoos shouldn't be allowed until 18.

I have family members whom are tattoo artists, and piercers. They say people should be at least 18 when they get these fairly permanent body alterations.

In fact they talked about the number of infections and rip-outs that people get. They have to use special cleaners on their surfaces that kill hiv/aids and the like. They also have blood born pathogens certifications. They do a lot of repair work on problems caused by quack (or drugged-up) tattoo artists and piercers.

They also noted that the fancy coiled striking cobra tattoo that you got when you were young, is going to look like a pile of dog-poop when your skin wrinkles and sags. So - do it when you are older - and think carefully about what you get.


I also don't think parents should be able to circumcise their children. The child at 18 should decide for him/herself if they want this done to their bodies.

Tattoos are one thing (and I'm sick of people talking nonsense about how "messy" it looks when you're older - if it looks like crap, maybe your tattoo artist friends should blame themselves for sucking), but I see nothing wrong with getting a piercing when underage. It's really not that big a deal. I had my eyebrow pierced when I was 12 and that was ripped out, so I have a gouge mark now but I don't care. It really doesn't matter and it was my fault, anyway. I got my lip pierced when I was about 15 and I still have that. It really depends on how mature the person is. Most teenagers seem to be able to take care of them. The ones that don't will learn a lesson like I did.

LOL! You can not blame tattoo artists for people getting fat and stretching out tattoos, or getting old and wrinkled and having the skin collapse into folds. Or deciding they want skin cancer and sitting in the sun burning their tattooed skin, etc. Such things are the fault of the person, and they should take such into account when getting tattooed.

As to the piercing - they are professionals and noted actual known issues. Children get torn out piercings far more often then adults. They also have far more infections from not taking care of their piercings.

And - if your tattooist or piercer is not certified, or decides to cut costs, - by for instance, not buying the Hiv/Aids disinfectants, or they are using defective Autoclave sterilizers, etc, you might find yourself (if lucky) extremely ill, and if not - contracting Hiv/Aids, hepatitis B or C, or other blood-born pathogens, or ending up with major scarring, or even losing a limb.


I don't know why you would be snide about such.



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[Saint Frankenstein]

LOL! You can not blame tattoo artists for people getting fat and stretching out tattoos, or getting old and wrinkled and having the skin collapse into folds. Or deciding they want skin cancer and sitting in the sun burning their tattooed skin, etc. Such things are the fault of the person, and they should take such into account when getting tattooed.

A lot of the tattoos I've seen that end up looking ugly down the road where tattoos that were executed poorly to begin with. Some of the stuff you mentioned is the fault of the person, sure. But it's not necessarily a given that a tattoo will end up looking horrible as you age. I plan on getting lots of tattoos when I get the money, and I'm not worried how they'll look when I'm saggy. Lol.

As to the piercing - they are professionals and noted actual known issues. Children get torn out piercings far more often then adults. They also have far more infections from not taking care of their piercings.

And that's the fault of the person with the piercing for not taking care of it correctly.

And - if your tattooist or piercer is not certified, or decides to cut costs, - by for instance, not buying the Hiv/Aids disinfectants, or they are using defective Autoclave sterilizers, etc, you might find yourself (if lucky) extremely ill, and if not - contracting Hiv/Aids, hepatitis B or C, or other blood-born pathogens, or ending up with major scarring, or even losing a limb.

People need to be more responsible and only patronize body piercers and tattoo artists who are certified and have good reputations.

I don't know why you would be snide about such.

Probably because I'm tired of people being judgmental about this issue.

 

[Ingledsva]

A lot of the tattoos I've seen that end up looking ugly down the road where tattoos that were executed poorly to begin with. Some of the stuff you mentioned is the fault of the person, sure. But it's not necessarily a given that a tattoo will end up looking horrible as you age. I plan on getting lots of tattoos when I get the money, and I'm not worried how they'll look when I'm saggy. Lol. ...

Always go to a reputable Tattooist or Piercer. Ask to see their certifications, including the blood-born pathogens, and make sure they are up to date. Ask if they have a current certificate on their autoclave. Ask if they use the spray that kills Hiv/aids and other blood-born pathogens. Ask to see the Artist's portfolio. And last, if there are people waiting to get tattooed - ask if they already have any tattoos by the person that will be tattooing you, and ask to look at them. Ask what kind of ink they will be using. If they don't get the needle to the right depth, or use cheap ink, the tattoos will fade very quickly.


I also like tattoos and Piercings. I have 10 piercings, and three tattoos, - and I'm sure I will have to get a couple more tattoos, LOL!


I forgot to add - if you have tattoos - be sure to use a good sun block when out in the sun.



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[Saint Frankenstein]

Always go to a reputable Tattooist or Piercer. Ask to see their certifications, including the blood-born pathogens, and make sure they are up to date. Ask if they have a current certificate on their autoclave. Ask if they use the spray that kills Hiv/aids and other blood-born pathogens. Ask to see the Artist's portfolio. And last, if there are people waiting to get tattooed - ask if they already have any tattoos by the person that will be tattooing you, and ask to look at them. Ask what kind of ink they will be using. If they don't get the needle to the right depth, or use cheap ink, the tattoos will fade very quickly.


I also like tattoos and Piercings. I have 10 piercings, and three tattoos, - and I'm sure I will have to get a couple more tattoos, LOL!


I forgot to add - if you have tattoos - be sure to use a good sun block when out in the sun.

Thank you. Yes, that is all great advice.