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What's a baptism service like in your faith?

Bishka

Veteran Member
I'm curious, in all sorts of faiths, there are different types of baptisms, what are the types of baptisms you have? Are they different for an adult rather then a child or an infant?

The statement that sparked this thread is BFD's statement
BFD_Zayl said:
For baptisms its often just solemn chanting and such, as it is a painful rite.
from the "What music is played when..." thread. Then sparked then question, how can a baptism be painful? Is/was it painful for you?? Expound as much as you feel necessary.

:)
 

lunamoth

Will to love
We had several baptisms yesterday at church because Easter is a traditional time for baptism, but baptisms can be done any time.

The Episcopal Church does infant baptisms as well as adult baptisms. The Baptismal service incorporated into our usual worship service. A service without a Baptism is usually called a 'Rite," and we have two forms (Rite I, older and Rite II, a bit more contemporary). Infant and adult baptisms are pretty much the same, we pour water on the head and annoint with oil for both except for infants the Godparents stand in to say the vows for the Godchild. In both infant and adult baptisms the whole congregation vows to support the newly baptized persons and we also renew our own baptismal vows, we rounounce evil and Satan, and uphold the creeds.

Added: perhaps not everyone knows, but what we believe happens during a baptism is that the person actually dies, and then is reborn in Christ. Thus, we are all born again.
 

Bishka

Veteran Member
We don't have baptisms, in Wicca, it's called a Wiccaning, and there are different rituals for each tradition. But on a pagan site I frequent, this was what they had for a ritual: http://www.paganlibrary.com/rituals_spells/wiccanning.php

I figure posting the link would be better than posting all of that :)

That's really interesting Gentoo. I actually have a question from looking over that, but will probably post it when I get home from work tonight. :yes:
 

BFD_Zayl

Well-Known Member
becky, kudos, you are a master of forking threads!!

I shall explain more on the rite. as it is much different that a christian baptism.

people in my faith are not baptized at birth, because it occured to someone many centuries ago that maybe, thats not who they wanted to be. so, the baptism is held when the person is old enough to know full well what is going on. the rite itself is secret, but I can share that it involves a darkened room, a chalice, a knife, some wine, and the blood of all involved, including the newcomer. is mixed with the wine, oaths are made, the wine is drank, and the scar from being cut is kept as a reminder.
 

Bishka

Veteran Member
becky, kudos, you are a master of forking threads!!

I shall explain more on the rite. as it is much different that a christian baptism.

people in my faith are not baptized at birth, because it occured to someone many centuries ago that maybe, thats not who they wanted to be. so, the baptism is held when the person is old enough to know full well what is going on. the rite itself is secret, but I can share that it involves a darkened room, a chalice, a knife, some wine, and the blood of all involved, including the newcomer. is mixed with the wine, oaths are made, the wine is drank, and the scar from being cut is kept as a reminder.

Okay, that makes a bit more sense. :) Thanks. I was wondering how a baptism could be painful, but I do agree with doing it when they are older (we do that in my Church).
 

Todd

Rajun Cajun
I'm curious, in all sorts of faiths, there are different types of baptisms, what are the types of baptisms you have? Are they different for an adult rather then a child or an infant?

The statement that sparked this thread is BFD's statement from the "What music is played when..." thread. Then sparked then question, how can a baptism be painful? Is/was it painful for you?? Expound as much as you feel necessary.

:)

I was Catholic, and was baptised as a baby. Of course I don't remember that. I've been to other baby baptisms, and basically, the priest blesses the baby, says some words, and sprinkles holy water over the baby's forehead. Someone of the Catholic faith can probably explain it better than I can :eek:.

I was re-baptised later in life after I realized it's in obedience to God that we should be baptized, and as a baby, I didn't do it of my own free will but of my parents will. The baptism later in life was in a small church that I went to. My best friends grandfather and pastor baptised me. It was a full underwater baptism. It was a little uncomfortable getting out of the water with the whole congregation looking at me, but other than that it was a good experience.
 

Bishka

Veteran Member
It was a little uncomfortable getting out of the water with the whole congregation looking at me, but other than that it was a good experience.

You had the whole congregation watching? Is that what happens every time at your Church?I might be a bit uncomfortable too!Usually, at LDS baptisms, it's witnesses (someone to watch and make sure it's been performed correctly) and a few close friends and family of the person being baptized.
 

BFD_Zayl

Well-Known Member
I was Catholic, and was baptised as a baby. Of course I don't remember that. I've been to other baby baptisms, and basically, the priest blesses the baby, says some words, and sprinkles holy water over the baby's forehead. Someone of the Catholic faith can probably explain it better than I can :eek:.

I was re-baptised later in life after I realized it's in obedience to God that we should be baptized, and as a baby, I didn't do it of my own free will but of my parents will. The baptism later in life was in a small church that I went to. My best friends grandfather and pastor baptised me. It was a full underwater baptism. It was a little uncomfortable getting out of the water with the whole congregation looking at me, but other than that it was a good experience.
please tell me you wore underwear under the white robe? :cover:
 

Todd

Rajun Cajun
You had the whole congregation watching? Is that what happens every time at your Church?I might be a bit uncomfortable too!Usually, at LDS baptisms, it's witnesses (someone to watch and make sure it's been performed correctly) and a few close friends and family of the person being baptized.

Yep. Most non-denominational churches I've been to are like that. Although, it doesn't really matter how many people are watching in my belief. It could only be a couple of people, and it would be just as important.
 

Mike182

Flaming Queer
we use the word initiation instead of baptism :)

i have neither been initiated, nor initiated myself into any branch of Paganism.

a lot of Pagan groups and branches have a year of practice and basic meditation to introduce the new comer to the religion, learning and reading and experiencing the rituals, and though i have been practicing for 2/3 years now, i still feel like i am on this stage.

i will probably initiate myself at some point this year, though it will require some planning, and will have to be when it feels right. i feel i will be ready to be initiated after i have reached my first deep level of trance, after that i will look through different initiation rituals, oaths and vows etc, decide which i like best (probably combine stuff and make my own), decide who i want to be involved in it, and then do it.

i might not be initiated in several years to come though lol, i seem unable to grasp trance states in my mind right now.
 

Quiddity

UndertheInfluenceofGiants
I was Catholic, and was baptised as a baby. Of course I don't remember that. I've been to other baby baptisms, and basically, the priest blesses the baby, says some words, and sprinkles holy water over the baby's forehead. Someone of the Catholic faith can probably explain it better than I can .
Well, I don’t think most Catholics remember. At least those baptized as infants. We do have adult baptisms for those who come into the Church later in life. How we do it can vary from full immersion to sprinkling. Although some have deeper meaning (full immersion is the full expression), we consider both as valid. The water is crucial element for us.

As for myself, I was actually baptized as an LDS at the age of 15. I was baptized in front of a small group and I just remember being quite nervous. I wore all white robes and was dipped (full immersion) by the gentleman that guided me into the LDS faith. It was followed by a small speech by me.

Although I did attend other Protestant churches, I never got baptized in any of them. My Catholic baptism occurred in the year 2000. Because of the number of people that usually get baptized in a Catholic Church, the priest went with sprinkling. Any questions?
 

Bishka

Veteran Member
Because of the number of people that usually get baptized in a Catholic Church, the priest went with sprinkling. Any questions?

How many people were at your baptism (a general idea), and could you have requested a full-immerision?
 
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