Infant Baptisms, Dedications, etc.

[spiritually inclined]

How important is it for you to involve your child in your faith or belief system? For instance, many Christians have their children baptized. Others perform dedications. I've heard of Wiccans doing a ceremony, too. I don't recall the name.

How far do you think you would involve your children in your own faith?

As for myself, I'm not sure that I would necessarily involve my children in the church community if my partner didn't want that.

I might teach a meditation or prayer technique at some point, but probably nothing more if there was no further interest.

I know that my own thoughts/experiences incline me to spirituality, but I don't necessarily think I have to pass on religion. Morals, yes, but not religion.

James

 

[nox1056]

As for myself, I'm not sure that I would necessarily involve my children in the church community if my partner didn't want that.

What about the kid, shouldn't they get a say in whether or not they want to go to church? Obviously i'm not talking about infants and younger children but anyone old enough to understand religion should be allowed to choose their own.

 

[spiritually inclined]

As I said, if there was no further interest, I would not pursue it, even if the child was baptized and taken to church at a younger age. That is part of the reason I think Confirmation is important for those who were baptized as infants or young children: it gives them the decision to either accept or reject the baptism and baptismal vows.

If they decided they didn't want to be confirmed, I would throw a party or whatever else they wanted to do.

James

 

[nox1056]

Oh, well i guess i agree with you then

 

[darkendless]

How important is it for you to involve your child in your faith or belief system? For instance, many Christians have their children baptized. Others perform dedications. I've heard of Wiccans doing a ceremony, too. I don't recall the name.

How far do you think you would involve your children in your own faith?

As for myself, I'm not sure that I would necessarily involve my children in the church community if my partner didn't want that.

I might teach a meditation or prayer technique at some point, but probably nothing more if there was no further interest.

I know that my own thoughts/experiences incline me to spirituality, but I don't necessarily think I have to pass on religion. Morals, yes, but not religion.

James

In my opinion religion and morality should be kept apart until the child is old enough to criticise their own beliefs.
Baptism and other things of infants are wrong, i was baptised, and i have nothing to do with Christianity these days. However, my parents were never strongly religious. I'd hate to think what goes through the head of a brainwashed youth who's had the good book jammed down his throat for years with little understanding of what theyre reading

 

[spiritually inclined]

I'd hate to think what goes through the head of a brainwashed youth who's had the good book jammed down his throat for years with little understanding of what theyre reading

Fortunately, I don't take that approach to religion at all, and I would deliberately expose my children to various beliefs and/or religions, including atheism.

James

 

[darkendless]

Fortunately, I don't take that approach to religion at all, and I would deliberately expose my children to various beliefs and/or religions, including atheism.

James

Unfortunately there are those who are not so open-minded. Although religion can be a great source of morality and ideals, often it is all to easy to reinforce belief in God without installing the ability to question, to have tolerance of contrary opinions and in depth understanding of belief in itself. I cannot help but feel some people live an extremely sheltered life within societies conditioned not to question what they hold so dearly. Sad but true

 

[spiritually inclined]

I cannot help but feel some people live an extremely sheltered life within societies conditioned not to question what they hold so dearly. Sad but true

That is something I think most humans grow up with. It takes maturity and courage to challenge one's beliefs.

James

 

[ChristineES]

I teach my children my faith but if they want to accept it and be baptized it is up to them. I told them they have to make up their own minds-- that it is their own decision. I don't believe in Baptizing babies, although my father had me baptized when I was a baby(he was raised Catholic). I don't believe that children can be separated from God- or at least until they reach maturity and make that decision. (I don't believe in a literal hell)

 

[Gentoo]

The Wiccan ceremony you're thinking of is sometimes called a Wiccaning.

I think that such ceremonies are more for the parents than for the child.

 

[Mister Emu]

How far do you think you would involve your children in your own faith?

Heavily...

 

[science_is_my_god]

I would give them the choice of any religion they wanted. If I forced them to disbelieve in god, I would be no different than a lot of the bible-pushers I had to grow up with.

 

[Nessa Nenharma]

Personally I would rather my children learn about my religion from me versus having someone who only "thought" they knew, inform them. I think it is nice to let your children decide, but if they aren't informed in the first place they won't know of what they are choosing.

I mean if one of my children were told that a Pentacle was for devil worshipping I would be horrified, but if I never explained to them what it was, they would accept that it was used for evil.

I guess what I am trying to say is it is one thing to inform or "teach" of a religion, it is another thing entirely to cram it down their throats.

And about infant baptism, I see nothing wrong with it. I see that as a celebration of the birth of a child and nothing more. I don't know about you but I celebrated the birth of both of my children and no one should make me feel bad for doing so.

:bb:

Nessa

 

[spiritually inclined]

Nessa,

I like your view of it. I wouldn't mind letting my child know about lots of religions and choose any they like, or no religion. If they wanted to become/remain a Christian (in some sense a child will be culturally connected to Christianity), they could choose to be confirmed (a reaffirmation of baptismal vows) or not to be. I look at the baptism as more of an affirmation of life, an affirmation that even the youngest people are welcome into the church, though of course they should be free to choose something else as they get older and find out their beliefs -- if they ever take much interest.

I think this would require the parent to expose the child to other ideas and people of other beliefs or non-beliefs. That's always a good idea.

James

 

[sojourner]

In my opinion religion and morality should be kept apart until the child is old enough to criticise their own beliefs.

then:

Baptism and other things of infants are wrong, i was baptised, and i have nothing to do with Christianity these days.

Reason:

However, my parents were never strongly religious.

Infant baptism has as much to do with the parents as the chilid. Infant baptism works well, as long as the parents are faithful to the covenant they make. You are not strongly religious, because your parents are not strongly religious.
I'd say that your experience has rendered you underqualified to render the judgment you're making.

 

[madhatter85]

then:

Reason:

Infant baptism has as much to do with the parents as the chilid. Infant baptism works well, as long as the parents are faithful to the covenant they make. You are not strongly religious, because your parents are not strongly religious.
I'd say that your experience has rendered you underqualified to render the judgment you're making.

So you're saying that because the parents aren't as faithful as they should be thier children are going to hell?

 

[ladybug83]

Doesn't the act of being baptized indicate a person's belief in the church he/she is joining and the covenant to which that person is making with God? In a way, I agree with Nessa and Sojourner in their views of parents being responsible for teaching their children. Of course children should be taught whatever it is that you want them to learn. However, I think it's pointless to baptize them first and then expect them to make a choice. Even if the parents are strongly religious and did all they could to teach their children their beliefs, I think the children should be given all that information first, the opportunity to question and ponder that information, and then choose whether or not they want to be baptized.

Infant baptism has as much to do with the parents as the chilid. Infant baptism works well, as long as the parents are faithful to the covenant they make. You are not strongly religious, because your parents are not strongly religious.
I'd say that your experience has rendered you underqualified to render the judgment you're making.

 

[spiritually inclined]

Doesn't the act of being baptized indicate a person's belief in the church he/she is joining and the covenant to which that person is making with God? In a way, I agree with Nessa and Sojourner in their views of parents being responsible for teaching their children. Of course children should be taught whatever it is that you want them to learn. However, I think it's pointless to baptize them first and then expect them to make a choice. Even if the parents are strongly religious and did all they could to teach their children their beliefs, I think the children should be given all that information first, the opportunity to question and ponder that information, and then choose whether or not they want to be baptized.

In my church, no, being baptized does not indicate that one believes in the church or its authority. It means that God shows grace even on infants and that they can be members of the community, too.

Confirmation in my church is when one chooses for one's self to accept vows, make an affirmation of faith (interpretations of this affirmation can vary), and become for oneself a mature and responsible member of the church.

Because our churches interpret baptism in different ways, we have a somewhat differing practice. Our confirmation ritual is more similar to your purposes for baptism.

James

 

[darkendless]

then:

Reason:

Infant baptism has as much to do with the parents as the chilid. Infant baptism works well, as long as the parents are faithful to the covenant they make. You are not strongly religious, because your parents are not strongly religious.
I'd say that your experience has rendered you underqualified to render the judgment you're making.

I was baptised because my grandparents are religious fanatics and basically forced my parents to do it, therefore, my choice was removed. Such an event also shows what christianity does to people, given a choice i would not have been baptised, it was a waste of time for me. It will work if the parents are faithful, because they are ordaining the child into the society they live in, regardless if the child will accept it or not. Im sorry i have to disagree with you.