why do you have to pay to become a member of a church?

Question

my girlfriend and i are catholic and want to get our (illigitamate) son baptised and the church is trying to charge us to join. i think it's kind of weak but i can understand they MIGHT need the money. i'm not very religous and i would rather something non denominational, who can baptize?

Answer 1

you should not have to pay.
of course, i am not a member of a catholic church; i belong to a "non-denominational" christian church


and i think "salvation comes with a price" does not mean money, you doof

Answer 2

If you have to pay to become a member of any church, you are at the wrong church.

That being said, baptism is something that your son needs to do on his own and only after he has decided to follow Jesus.

I believe that your heart is in the right place, but your knowledge is not there yet.

You need to read your bible, if you do not have one, you can get one at most dollar stores, or find a Giddeon, they give out new testaments for free. If you wish to read a Catholic bible, you may have to buy one, as I doubt they would give anything away.

I wish I had your snail mail, I would send you a bible, and yes even a Catholic one. I married a Catholic man, and not all is bad within that way of worship, but you really need to read your own bible.
GOD knows your heart, and if you seek the truth, he will open your eyes to it.

BY the way, anyone can baptize a believer. There are no requirements except that you both believe. Therefore because your son is not old enough to believe, baptism would be useless. If you really feel that you should do something for your son, you can have a committment ceremony, In this ceremony you and your girlfriend agree to raise this child up in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. IT would just be to publically state your intention to raise him this way.

Answer 3

I would wonder about that too. I have never heard of a church making you pay to become a member. If it were me- I would stay clear of that church and find another.
Anyone can baptize a child, but usually you are members of the church were you have it done. You need to attend for awhile and see if you like it, then decide on becoming a member. You should not ever pay to become a member. I have been a member of several churches ( I have been a Christian my whole life ) and have never been asked to pay a fee to join. It isn't a club or something. How weird.

Answer 4

Then dat church is Wrong!! cuz baptizing is someting spiritual that should be done Freely no Charge!!
Become Pentecostal there they present the child to the lord instead of baptizing!! When they present the child the make a Huge party and Baptizing is for when the person feels he wants to accept the Lord ! You Know?

Answer 5

No offense, but I seriously doubt that you are being charged money as a condition of joining a Catholic parish.

As long as you can show that you're Catholic (with a baptismal or confirmation certificate), you should be able to just register with the parish.

As for the baptism of your child, it should not matter that he was born out of wedlock. Whatever the Church thinks of the actions of you and your girlfriend, your son isn't responsible for it.

And no priest or parish ever charges money for administration of any sacrament, including baptism.

Granted, it's customary to offer a gift (a monetary one, that is) to the parish on the occasion of something like a baptism or a marriage -- but it's a donation, not a charge. How much you give is up to you -- and officially, you don't even have to give anything. It's just highly customary to do it.

Liken it to tipping a waiter at a restaurant. Legally, you are not required to do it -- but it's extremely bad manners not to tip him.

Not to pry into your life, but have you thought about getting married with your girlfriend? I don't mean to push you on it; it's just a suggestion.

Of course, at the end of the day, marriage is all about wanting to be with her for the rest of your life -- not to mollify the priest at your church. Marriage is serious business and should be done only for the right reasons.

Answer 6

I have never HEARD of a church charging to JOIN. They might want to charge to cover the cost of a special service but that is all I think should be allowed. See if you can just add the baptism as part of an already scheduled service. (of course I am not catholic so I am not sure if you can change the order of service like that in your church)

Answer 7

I am of the Christrian Faith. There is absolutly no reason to have your baby baptised. there is no Biblical injuction for this to be done.

As to paying to join a Church... no way is that Biblical... but mans churches are mans business and they can charge if they want... you get what you pay for in the mortal world any way but it wont guarontee you get'n to heaven no matter what they may say...

But to Join The Church of Which Jesus The Christ is Head... you pay nothing... Jesus has already paid your sin debt... Come to God in the way he proscribes and you will receive your free gift of God's Grace and mercy, and your Eternal Salvation

I write some on baptizing infants on the Lutheran page of my website if you care to read there.
http://pages.zdnet.com/mikevanauken/mikesinternetoutreach/id85.html

All honest seekers welcome

Answer 8

Another Anti-Catholic Troll!

Good one! Now tie it into all the anti-Muslim junk here.

What is it with you people bashing other people's religions? If you,your girl friend & your son don't want to be Catholics,fine. I know some Catholics & they do not "charge" to baptize a child - legitamate or not.

If you are not very religious, why does it matter if your son is baptized?

Peace to you & your family.
Stop lying.

Answer 9

Don't feel bad. Apparently, churches charge upwards of $500 for weddings, as well. Find a non-denominational church, or a minister who is willing to do it in their own time for free. Salvation is expensive. Sad, isn't it?

Answer 10

I've heard of exclusive churches {The Church of Set, for example} that charge, but never a Christian church. Perhaps you should look elsewhere for the baptism, your situation reminds of pre-Lutheran Catholic Church days, people quite literally paying priests for their sins.

Answer 11

Not every church charges, but all christian churches baptize. Best to check with your girlfriend and make sure that it isn't the catholic part that's imporant to her, and then go where ever you need to!