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Baptising children, right or wrong?
March 26, 2009 at 8:41 am
(This post was last modified: March 26, 2009 at 8:43 am by Giff.)
I personally think it's wrong to baptise a child. I think it's a decission that children it self should make when it's older. Perhaps around 15-18, not before that.
I have been baptised, something I wouldnt be if I hade the oppertunity to decide that by myself. It doesnt really matter that I have been batised. I don't care about it since it doesn't mean anything to me. But it's the principle that bothers me.
Wonder what you guys think? Batising children, right or wrong?
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RE: Baptising children, right or wrong?
March 26, 2009 at 9:00 am
(March 26, 2009 at 8:41 am)Giff Wrote: I personally think it's wrong to baptise a child. I think it's a decission that children it self should make when it's older. Perhaps around 15-18, not before that.
I agree, I would make it when they are able to vote so in the UK 18.
(March 26, 2009 at 8:41 am)Giff Wrote: I have been baptised, something I wouldnt be if I hade the oppertunity to decide that by myself. It doesnt really matter that I have been batised. I don't care about it since it doesn't mean anything to me. But it's the principle that bothers me.
It means something to me, it means I am still a Catholic in the sense of being "on their books" ... I deeply resent that and have made (so far) one attempt to be excommunicated.
Kyu
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RE: Baptising children, right or wrong?
March 26, 2009 at 9:06 am
Quote:It means something to me, it means I am still a Catholic in the sense of being "on their books" ... I deeply resent that and have made (so far) one attempt to be excommunicated.
Its probably diffrent since in chatolism you both get baptised and confirmated all in once.
I didn't get confirmated and I also got out of the swedish church which is really easy to do. Glad that I atleast had that oppertunity
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RE: Baptising children, right or wrong?
March 26, 2009 at 9:15 am
Baptism is given meaning so you should need to be an adult first...
But I personally see the whole thing as meaningless nonsense and nothing to worry about...
Its a shame so many people think that having water tipped over your head and being 'blessed' makes a difference...
The difference it makes is only due to the fact that people THINK that it makes a difference - its the meaning its given - in reality its just some water being tipped over your head and a few words!!
Really there is no reason to give meaning to it...but people do.
EvF
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RE: Baptising children, right or wrong?
March 26, 2009 at 9:20 am
I actually disagree with the original poster on this one, surprisingly enough.
Heres why, I beleive that the parents should be able to raise their children in the way of their choice. Provided it is not abusive of course. The baptisim does not commit the child for them, honestly it's not really different from a birthday celebration. I will state though, that I know only a little about baptisim so, if you have a strong argument for Baptisim being universally abusive then I'd love to hear it.
It's my stance that the best way to eliminate religion, is through education, not the removal of rights. Parents should have the right to raise their children in any way they wish but, they should be educated so that they know the difference between what is accepted as right and wrong in modern society. Will be be people who abuse their rights? No shit, of course there will be but, that's a completely seperate thing you are NOT going to stop by taking away those rights. Just look how software piracy prevention seems to be causing more people to pirate software (I can't state statistics, only speaking from experience of the people I know and talk too).
Thus, it isn't wrong in itself, the parents honestly beleive that they are raising the child the best way possible, and I don't think it falls into the realm of abuse.
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RE: Baptising children, right or wrong?
March 26, 2009 at 9:23 am
(March 26, 2009 at 9:20 am)Demonaura Wrote: Heres why, I beleive that the parents should be able to raise their children in the way of their choice. Provided it is not abusive of course. The baptisim does not commit the child for them, honestly it's not really different from a birthday celebration. I will state though, that I know only a little about baptisim so, if you have a strong argument for Baptisim being universally abusive then I'd love to hear it.
Not abusive as such no but I do feel my "rights" were abused by being baptised at a point in my life where I was unable to make an informed decision.
Kyu
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RE: Baptising children, right or wrong?
March 26, 2009 at 12:40 pm
My record as a member of the Roman Catholic Church has been expunged from the books after an official letter to the Bishop. This is not because I am "deeply offended" or "angry atheist" but because I don't think it is fair for the church to collect a subsidy based on it's total amount of members when so many do not or no longer believe in the teachings of that church and never attend. I wouldn't want the local Judo club get a subsidy for having my name in their records just because I used to be a member of that club (which was also my parents idea).
Best regards,
Leo van Miert
Horsepower is how hard you hit the wall --Torque is how far you take the wall with you
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RE: Baptising children, right or wrong?
March 26, 2009 at 3:47 pm
(March 26, 2009 at 8:41 am)Giff Wrote: I personally think it's wrong to baptise a child. I think it's a decission that children it self should make when it's older. Perhaps around 15-18, not before that.
I have been baptised, something I wouldnt be if I hade the oppertunity to decide that by myself. It doesnt really matter that I have been batised. I don't care about it since it doesn't mean anything to me. But it's the principle that bothers me.
Wonder what you guys think? Batising children, right or wrong?
Surprise, surprise I think it's wrong.
Wonder if the modernising church types would bring in something like having the infant back again at a later adult age to be de-baptised?
 A man is born to a virgin mother, lives, dies, comes alive again and then disappears into the clouds to become his Dad. How likely is that?
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RE: Baptising children, right or wrong?
March 26, 2009 at 4:54 pm
(March 26, 2009 at 12:40 pm)leo-rcc Wrote: This is not because I am "deeply offended" or "angry atheist" but because I don't think it is fair for the church to collect a subsidy based on it's total amount of members when so many do not or no longer believe in the teachings of that church and never attend.
What? They get a subsidy on us?
Kyu
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RE: Baptising children, right or wrong?
March 26, 2009 at 4:57 pm
Stop me if I'm wrong, I beleive this is something from the Church of England? They are integrated with the country so, they get funding based on membership, and everyone is defaultly a member until they sign papers saying otherwise.
It's not something I've had to deal with thankfully so, I don't have the whole story.
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