Baptism

[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.

[kellbellb]

Hi guys!! It's me again, the devil Catholic. I have serious reservations about being cheeky but I'm just going to do it because I want to. I just wanted to say that as a Catholic I am prepared to go to Hell as nobody can say who gets into heaven. I just wanted to throw it out there that if heaven is filled with the likes of...well you know...I don't know if Limbo sounds that bad...Seriously the only thing that makes me question my faith is discussions like this!!!

Anyway firebabe, I hope that you baptize your son or daughter because if anything it will be a beautiful experience and one in which your day will be focused on God and that can't be bad!!

[kellbellb]

oh and great defender of the Lord I will not be reading replies so either don't bother or do it knowing I won't read it and I definitely won't respond to it.

[brandie1127]

to FIREBABE - since we should really be trying to help her .... I was raised Baptist but went to a Catholic school. We too were taught that it is the "only" way to clense your baby of original sin and "dedicate them unto the Lord" In case Heaven forbid something was to happen to them before Confirmation, they would be excepted into heaven. As for the "all it does is get them wet stuff" All religious ceremonies are just that, it is ceremonial. ( Think about the blood and body of Christ all it is is Bread and Wine ) its about what it represents. "Washing away the Original sin"

Now me personally I have ALWAYS had a problem with the concept of Original Sin. ( I have a tatoo from shoulder to shoulder that says, "in the garden I did no crime")

I think that if you want to "bless" your baby. Than Absolutely go for it!! We just had that discussion we both want our baby "blessed" but don't have any religious affiliation. As for a "party" Absolutely! Bless your baby and then CELEBRATE it! Its that simple. Bless the baby and then Celebrate it ( If you want a celebration of course if you want it to be an intimate thing than do that)

I think we shouldn't get too caught up in the meaning of in in different religions. Everyone is different, every belief is different. It is all about what you believe and what religion you would like to become a member of. Thats the beauty of choices.

For the record: I was not baptised until age 12 and I was dunked whole body in a tub, but thats just how our church did it. 3 weeks ago I went to a Christening ( catholic) for a 5 month old, next week I have another Christening for a 1 month old. The 5 month old had a lunch at a restaurant ( about 150 people) the 1 month old is having a lunch at their house (about 30 people).

I hope I helped.

( now please don't attack me because I won't be responding)

[brandie1127]

Oh and I forgot one thing - Its usually also a time to dedicate Godparents. Thats why alot of people do it when their children are very young. Its a special day for the godparents of your little one too!

[War_Eagle]

I just wanted to say that as a Catholic I am prepared to go to Hell as nobody can say who gets into heaven.

That's really ironic. The Catholics are always telling us that they gave us the Bible but then, when the Bible tells us that we can know how to go to Heaven and whether or not we are going Heaven, you say that's not true.

[bvas81]

OK, what exacty does a Godparent do?
I don't understand it.... when i was younger we went to a Pentecostal church, but it was only for a while. I don't go to church, but I would like to know what does a Godparent do or is supposed to do or be?

[brandie1127]

Ok in many religions the Godparent is supposed to oversee the spiritual well being of your child - is I guess why it was invented but in our families it has always been so much more. My godparents were blessed in church, but also legally written in a will to take care of me if any thing was to happen to both of my parents. My childs godparents will be my husbands brother and his wife. If anything happens to both of us - they will get custody of the baby.

[gostomskiart]

Firebabe, I think once you make the decision on what religion you are entering then you can talk to the father, elder, pastor (whatever the title) and find out the traditions. I go to a non-denominational christian church so in our case a baptisim would be for an older child/young adult for entering the church who is accepting Christ.

At this time I'd like to say I was raised Catholic. Catholics baptize their babies for the reason of "original sin" but also it welcomes the child into the church. At this time you have the parents and godparents promise to do all they can to ensure the child is brought up in the light of God and Jesus. They will then attend sunday school or what is called CCD until they are about high school age where they participate in a confirmation. The confirmation is along the lines of a christian babtism where the child stands up before the church and their sponser to say they accept the Lord into their life - as I was babtized, made my first communion and confirmed into the Catholic church. Below is some info on this that I put in quotes, it is from a British study done on religion and ethics. I'm adding this because for Catholics baptism is only part of the process (this hasn't been made clear yet).

"The majority of Catholics are baptised as babies before they are old enough to understand what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. Their parents and godparents promise to bring them up in the Christian faith following Jesus' example.

When they reach an age where they are able to understand the difficulties and challenges of living out the Christian faith, they are invited to confirm the promises made on their behalf at baptism through confirmation.

In most Catholic churches today, Catholics are confirmed when they are about 14 years old. The sacrament of confirmation is often held on Pentecost Sunday when Christians celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles."

[bvas81]

Thanks for replying! Where you blessed or baptised when you were a baby or was it when you were a little older? My friend has asked me and my husband to be her daughters godparents.... i would like to but i just don't really understand what it is or what they do so i haven't answered i guess. i'm not baptised but my husband is... we weren't married in church (just in heart! lol) so i don't know if there are restrictions and what not. i think there is a church who does it here in my city where you don't have to be baptised or married by church you just have to go to some classes (that teach what? i don't know either). i know that some people baptise their babies when they are babies, and some wait til the child is older. my boys are not baptised and my husband side of the family (well more his mom and dad) keep telling me i should. but it doesn't really bother me that they aren't because i never was. should i worry that i will go to hell since i'm not? haha! jk! oh, my friend said she would like us to take care of her daughter if anything were to happen to her and her husband though.