The New Baptism Thread

[charliesmommy]

OK, here's the deal. Being one of the people involved in the demise of firebabe's thread I would like to make up for it by starting a new one.

***Listen Up***

This thread is intended for all of those who want to tell firebabe how they baptized their babies. This is not a debate thread. It is intended to give those who did not have a chance to post on the original and/or those who's posts got barried to tell their stories.

***Please***

No Debating! Let people speak, tell your story if you want and move on. This is not the place to go over the junk that happened in the last one. If you want to fight about it, go back to the last thread.

firebabe, I'm truly sorry that your thread turned out that way and that I was a part of it.

[twiceblessed]

Cool, thanks charliesmommy (can I just shorten your screen name to cm?) anyway. When our daughters were born we didn't have them baptized so to speak. We stood up in church, the preacher prayed over them and we promised to raise them in the ways of the Church until they were old enough to make the informed decision about baptism. There are elders in our church who take on the "role" of guardians and basically what they do is if we have questions about what we are doing then we can call them anytime and they will pray with us and help us understand what is involved in all aspects of what we are doing so that we can make the best, most informed decision possible.

[brandie1127]

OK I'll go first. I already said it but I'm going to repeat it. We went to a Christening (catholic) sunday. It was very formal. We are not Catholic but the ceremony was just beautiful. The baby wore an outfit cut from his grandmothers wedding dress. ( she had 2 made 1 for any boys and 1 for any girls ... great idea right?) and the daddy wore the same shoes that his daddy wore for his Christening. The baby was 6 weeks old. The godparents lit candles during the ceremony. Luncheon followed. It was at the house. There was a roasted pig apparently it is a symbol of strength and prosperity and a tradition to have one for the first born son.


We went to one 2 weeks ago not so formal, but the luncheon that followed was at a banquet hall. The baby was 5 months old.

After my Nephews christiening we had a BBQ! He was 3 months.

In all these Christening there was a role of the selected Godparents.


( i was not baptised until I was 12. There was no party and my entire body was submersed in a tub in the church)

[brandie1127]

Cool, thanks charliesmommy (can I just shorten your screen name to cm?) anyway. When our daughters were born we didn't have them baptized so to speak. We stood up in church, the preacher prayed over them and we promised to raise them in the ways of the Church until they were old enough to make the informed decision about baptism. There are elders in our church who take on the "role" of guardians and basically what they do is if we have questions about what we are doing then we can call them anytime and they will pray with us and help us understand what is involved in all aspects of what we are doing so that we can make the best, most informed decision possible.

I think we should name what religions we practice too. Just so that all the info is there. TB what religion is this?

[twiceblessed]

That sounds so beautiful brandie. I'm not one for pomp and circumstance but that sounds very lovely.

[charliesmommy]

CM is fine. Or you can even call me Charlie. :)

Thank you for accepting this thread for what it is!!!

[WWmama]

I already posted, but here it is again:

I attend a nondenominational Christian church. I had my son dedicated and christened when he was 2 months old. During this ceremony, my husband and I promised to raise our son in the church and in a loving home. We also promised to teach him God's word. Our preacher sprinkled water on his forehead. Afterward, we had a nice dinner with our parents.

I almost forgot: Our families and church family also promised to help us along the way during this ceremony. =)

[twiceblessed]

Baptist.....(dots added cause message was too short)

[brandie1127]

I should have added that SBC was the church that put me in the Tub.

[twiceblessed]

When I was growing up I was raised in a Free Will Baptist church (just another name for a SBC imo). It was there that I was taught that the church didn't want to hear from women or for women to preach. They baptised me when I was 3. I didn't want that for my daughters. The church we are members of now is very open to having women speak up and preach and they don't believe in baptizing a person until they are old enough to make the informed decision themselves. They will dedicate/bless the baby and that's it.

[War_Eagle]

When I was growing up I was raised in a Free Will Baptist church (just another name for a SBC imo).

Actually, they're two different denominations.


It was there that I was taught that the church didn't want to hear from women or for women to preach. They baptised me when I was 3.

Then they're not the same as an SBC church because the SBC doesn't believe that.

[APEMBERTON]

My Story Is The Same As Twiceblessed!! I Am Baptist & It Is More Of A Dedication When The Baby Is First Born & Then The Child Chooses If & When They Want To Be Baptised!!

[charliesmommy]

CM is fine. Or you can even call me Charlie. :)

Thank you for accepting this thread for what it is!!!

I'd like to add that this was something that was brought up by ktemommy in the chat room. Some very interesting and informative threads have been high jacked and it's a shame. Baptism is important to many parents and we all deserve the right to tell our stories without a debate. Thanks for the idea K!!!

[charliesmommy]

Actually, they're two different denominations.



Then they're not the same as an SBC church because the SBC doesn't believe that.


Mike, please don't make us start another thread. Please let us tell our stories without being corrected.....PLEASE!!!!

[twiceblessed]

My friend had a Wiccaning for her child and it was a fun ceremony. It's basically a blessing and a naming ceremony, but you don't call to just one God and you incorporate the elements with it as well. It's a great ceremony for someone who wants to do something but doesn't necessarily want to have a traditional "religious" ceremony.

[charliesmommy]

My friend had a Wiccaning for her child and it was a fun ceremony. It's basically a blessing and a naming ceremony, but you don't call to just one God and you incorporate the elements with it as well. It's a great ceremony for someone who wants to do something but doesn't necessarily want to have a traditional "religious" ceremony.

That sounds awesome!!!

[twiceblessed]

It was really cool. Very relaxed and a lot of laughter and happiness which to me is a very important element in a blessing.

[War_Eagle]

Mike, please don't make us start another thread. Please let us tell our stories without being corrected.....PLEASE!!!!

Oh, how silly of me to not want to have my denomination slandered.

[bvas81]

I don't practice anything really. I want to learn about it.. but when I was reading the other baptism thread I got a headache...LOL!~ I know now, as Cay explained to me, that the bible is like shakespear..... that's why there are so many different religions. I need to pick up a bible. Plus, I am especially glad that Cay wrote that He loves us all.....even the nonbelievers!!! whew! i'm not baptized, i don't go to church.... i need a bible!! i must say all these different stories are interesting though!!! thanks!

[charliesmommy]

How beautiful twiceblessed.

[twiceblessed]

I don't practice anything really. I want to learn about it.. but when I was reading the other baptism thread I got a headache...LOL!~ I know now, as Cay explained to me, that the bible is like shakespear..... that's why there are so many different religions. I need to pick up a bible. Plus, I am especially glad that Cay wrote that He loves us all.....even the nonbelievers!!! whew! i'm not baptized, i don't go to church.... i need a bible!! i must say all these different stories are interesting though!!! thanks!

My minister suggests that anyone who is trying to read the Bible for the first time (or getting back into religion) pick up a NIV (New International Version). It's easier to understand, the language is more direct and not as "lyrical" and "Shakespearean" as the King James Version.

[ktejmommy]

I was raised Catholic. Every Sunday morning I was at church. I was baptised as a baby. My DH kind of opened my eyes to the story behind Canan Law and the Roman Catholic background. We now go to a Non-Demoninational Christian church every week. My kids will get baptised when they want to.

[bvas81]

thanks twiceblessed. I'll have to look that up.

Right now i'm reading You:staying young by Dr. Oz and The Intellectual Devotional. Now I need to pick up a bible.

My husband likes to watch Joel Osteen on tv.
My husbands family is Catholic and he was baptised as a baby but like i said we haven't baptised our boys. i don't want to do it without truly knowing what it all means.
thanks again

[twiceblessed]

you're welcome bvas

[brandie1127]

We are doing a baby naming ceremony since we are having such a hard time naming her. It has the same properties as your Wiccaning ceremony. All the female elders in both of our families sit in a circle and starting with closest to me our mothers, then our grandmothers,then sisters, aunts and whoever else. They all hold hands with our mothers touching my belly. Then we meditate sitting on the floor. Its led by a Doula usually and we try to find our inner peace and feel her spirit. At the end of our meditation everyone is asked if they heard her name. If more than one person say her the same name then thats the name we go with. Its not set in stone though. We don't have to name her from the ceremony but its a fun time together.

[cay8099]

Whatever you decide to do, there is nothing wrong with throwing some kind of get together afterward. Do what fits your families style best. A backyard BBQ, a bash, small family dinner. Some kind of celebration to commenorate the event is totally ok. Regardless of what anyone else says you should do; you should do what feels right for you. The church you've been attending might even be able to help you figure out something that fits your style best while sticking to some traditions. Talk to the head of your church, he may be able to work with you. Good luck, Firebabe, in finding something that will make you happy.

[jasmine89]

like i said in the last thread i want to get my daughter Dedicated to the church
but some parents Prefers to wait but i think it all depends on the family in what they want

[baby carling 08]

I was raised Methodist, I consider myself more of a Christian than any religious denomination. I was christened when I was a baby and my son was also. I plan on christening our soon to be when he gets to be about a month old. Our church believes that the ritual of baptism/christening is for the parents, sponsor, and the congregation to vow to raise the child as a Christian, or to support the growth in faith of the baptized person so that when they get to the age of reason, they can decide for themselves which path they take. Other denominations believe differently, but I enjoy the fact that this belief rests on the parents to raise the child in a christian way. It also shows the parents the importance of how the child is raised so he/she can make independant decisions when they get older.

[bluecollardad]

I believe you should understand the bible and what god asks of you before you are baptized. To me it is more about the meaning then the getting wet. You are to walk the path with jesus. He was baptized by john. He died on the cross for us, so that one day we can join him in heaven. Talk to god daily, ask him what he wants of you, ask him to mold you and make you whole. As humans we falter in our every day lives. ask god to forgive you threw the blood of jesus and try not to do it again

[Pa_ool]

I believe you should understand the bible and what god asks of you before you are baptized. To me it is more about the meaning then the getting wet. You are to walk the path with jesus. He was baptized by john. He died on the cross for us, so that one day we can join him in heaven. Talk to god daily, ask him what he wants of you, ask him to mold you and make you whole. As humans we falter in our every day lives. ask god to forgive you threw the blood of jesus and try not to do it again Well, here is a perfect example of how belief and knowledge aren't always the same thing. According to the examples the bible gave, you don't have to be a scholar to be baptized. In Acts 2, when Peter gave the first gospel sermon to those who had just crucified Christ they asked, "What shall we do?" His answer was not, "Study for a couple of weeks and maybe you will be ready." He anwered, " Arise and be baptized, every one of you, for the remission of your sins."
Baptism is an important part of salvation and call to us NOW. You can learn and study later.

[tierrajo1]

I have been to two baptisms recently. One was for an adult in a Protestant church, it was basically a ceremony where she proclaimed her desire to join this church and it's community and was in turn welcomed by the community, who promised to help her in her spiritual and religious journey. The second was a catholic ceremony for a baby. They did use what they believe is holy water to wash away her sins, then the parents vowed to raise her acording to catholic tradition and the godparents vowed to help her in the area of spiritual guidance through her life. Both of these ceremonies were followed by parties, the first had a small get together at the church with all of the members and family and then one at her home with family and friends. The second was a party at the parent's home for family, friends, the Priest, and members of the church.

[War_Eagle]

Well, here is a perfect example of how belief and knowledge aren't always the same thing. According to the examples the bible gave, you don't have to be a scholar to be baptized. In Acts 2, when Peter gave the first gospel sermon to those who had just crucified Christ they asked, "What shall we do?" His answer was not, "Study for a couple of weeks and maybe you will be ready." He anwered, " Arise and be baptized, every one of you, for the remission of your sins."
Baptism is an important part of salvation and call to us NOW. You can learn and study later.

And then there's the account of the Ethiopian eunuch, whom Phillip taught the scriptures to before he baptised him.

[Pa_ool]

OK, here's the deal. Being one of the people involved in the demise of firebabe's thread I would like to make up for it by starting a new one.

***Listen Up***

This thread is intended for all of those who want to tell firebabe how they baptized their babies. This is not a debate thread. It is intended to give those who did not have a chance to post on the original and/or those who's posts got barried to tell their stories.

***Please***

No Debating! Let people speak, tell your story if you want and move on. This is not the place to go over the junk that happened in the last one. If you want to fight about it, go back to the last thread.

firebabe, I'm truly sorry that your thread turned out that way and that I was a part of it.
My apologizes. I didn't read the original post before adding my two cents. I retract my statement seeing it was inappropriate...
Here is my new statement. I haven't baptized my infant, but I can tell you how I was baptized. When I was 10 I was able to tell the difference between right and wrong and I could make the decision for my self that I wanted to be saved. I knew that if I continued on, that I would go to hell (according to the bible).
There I feel better, I didn't mean to perpetuate the debate when it wasn't welcome.

[charliesmommy]

Thanks Pa!!!

Side note: I took the movie talk from you 'Adult Conversation' thread and ran with it. Have you found the 'Movie of the Week' threads yet?

[Pa_ool]

Thanks Pa!!!

Side note: I took the movie talk from you 'Adult Conversation' thread and ran with it. Have you found the 'Movie of the Week' threads yet?

No I haven't. Is it in MOM TO MOM?

[charliesmommy]

It sure is. :)

[razimi]

I don't want to baptize our daughter (she'll be born in early January) for two reasons: number one, I am essentially an atheist and number two, I just don't believe in choosing someone else's religion for them, even if they are your child. To me, that's personal.

My husband is Christian (we were both raised Catholic). We've decided that a good compromise for our family is to join the local Quaker church. We believe in their values and appreciate the fact that people with different views and thoughts are welcomed equally--so he, a devout believer, and me, a devout non-believer, would have a place there. We're both liberal politically, as well, particularly me, and Quakerism doesn't violate my sense of justice and what's right. I think Quakerism provides a community for people (children and adults alike) to find out about themselves spiritually and shies away from telling people what to think and believe, which is why I embrace it.

But my husband's parents are Catholic and were hurt to find this out. They felt rejected. My husband wanted to start a fight with them about it, but I didn't, so I agreed to baptize the baby in the Catholic church, a church I have strong political and social problems with. It goes against my beliefs entirely, but I figure there's not any harm in it for the grandparents' sake, and I will draw the line at any kind of denominational instruction--but I figure just a ceremony hurts no one and makes his family feel good.

It bothers me, but it would bother me more to have poor relations with my in-laws over something I consider such a small thing.

[brandie1127]

I don't want to baptize our daughter (she'll be born in early January) for two reasons: number one, I am essentially an atheist and number two, I just don't believe in choosing someone else's religion for them, even if they are your child. To me, that's personal.

My husband is Christian (we were both raised Catholic). We've decided that a good compromise for our family is to join the local Quaker church. We believe in their values and appreciate the fact that people with different views and thoughts are welcomed equally--so he, a devout believer, and me, a devout non-believer, would have a place there. We're both liberal politically, as well, particularly me, and Quakerism doesn't violate my sense of justice and what's right. I think Quakerism provides a community for people (children and adults alike) to find out about themselves spiritually and shies away from telling people what to think and believe, which is why I embrace it.

But my husband's parents are Catholic and were hurt to find this out. They felt rejected. My husband wanted to start a fight with them about it, but I didn't, so I agreed to baptize the baby in the Catholic church, a church I have strong political and social problems with. It goes against my beliefs entirely, but I figure there's not any harm in it for the grandparents' sake, and I will draw the line at any kind of denominational instruction--but I figure just a ceremony hurts no one and makes his family feel good.

It bothers me, but it would bother me more to have poor relations with my in-laws over something I consider such a small thing.



Good for you. Sometimes its nice to know in your heart what you feel is right for yourself and your children but to know in your brain what is good for your family. I'm all for sticking up for myself to the point of severe resistance and I don't think I would be as mature about giving in as you were.


Question though: Since you are not Catholic won't they make you convert in order to have your child Christened there? I have no clue but for some reason I thought they were very strict on member vs nonmember stuff. I just know my menenite freind just converted to Catholicism before her sons Christening. I guess I was just wondering if she had to or if it was her choice.