If Catholics are baptized as babies then what happens if later on in their life they really realize what Christianity really is? Because if born-again Christians are the only "real" Christians then are Catholics saved? If not, is it possible for Catholics to get baptized again? If that is possible and they don't do so...then they are considered "real" Christians? Serious answers please!
2006-08-01 16:02:46 · 8 answers · asked by jen. (: 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I'm not saying that born-again Christians are the only real Christians. It was another question on here that said that and got me confused so I was just wondering...
2006-08-02 05:00:24 · update #1
Baptism is just symbolic.Just because you're baptized doesn't mean you're a christian. All you have to do is accept Jesus as your savior. Baptism just signifies becoming born again, just as John the Baptist baptized Jesus. It doesn't affect whether you're going to heaven or not.
2006-08-01 16:09:15 · answer #1 · answered by x 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
(1) Yes, Catholics do baptize infants rather than later in life. Are you implying, by "later on in their life they really realize what Christianity really is", that Catholics don't know what Christianity really is? Not a very nice implication, if you are ...
(2) According to born-again Christians all must be born-again ... so ACCORDING TO THEM Catholics (and many others) are not "saved".
(3) I've never known a Catholic to be re-baptised at a later date ... if they switched to a born-again group then I'd presume it to be a requirement.
(4) Only according to the narrow views of those who claim them to not be "real Christians".
2006-08-01 16:13:05 · answer #2 · answered by Arkangyle 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is what Confirmation does.
Confirmation is a rite in many Christian Churches. Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox other Oriental Churches, and Anglicans, view it as a sacrament, which in the East is conferred on infants immediately after baptism, but in the West is usually administered later.
In Protestant Churches, the rite tends to be seen rather as a mature statement of faith by an already baptised person, usually an adolescent, and thus as a rite of passage, which, though not as big a change as a bar or bat mitzvah, holds a similar meaning.
In Catholic teaching, the effect of the sacrament is the special outpouring of the Holy Spirit, as once granted to the apostles on the day of Pentecost. Confirmation brings an increase and deepening of the grace of Baptism - this is why the sacrament is called "confirmation" - "rooting us more deeply in the divine filiation which makes us cry, "Abba! Father!" (Romans 8:15), uniting us more firmly to Christ, increasing the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us, rendering more perfect our link with the Church, and giving a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word and action as true witnesses of Christ, to confess the name of Christ boldly, and never to be ashamed of the Cross" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1302-1303).
2006-08-01 16:09:48 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Catholicism basically= Christianity. They all believe that Jesus is the Son of God... What's a "REAL" Christian anyways?
Born-agains are not baptized a second time. You should only be baptized once.
2006-08-01 16:08:05 · answer #4 · answered by shoeless wonder 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are a lot of religions where you are baptized at birth, but confirmed around age 13. I was Protestant, but Catholics have about the same thing I understand. You have to reaffirm your faith in God. There are classes to take, and bible passages to memorize.
It probably means more than just soaking your head at a later age, but I am rather jaded about the whole business.
-Dio
2006-08-01 16:08:38 · answer #5 · answered by diogenese19348 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you are suppose to repent and be baptized.a baby cant repent.i was a catholic. and yes i was baptized born again,my view on catholics is they do alot of things that the bible tell us not too.i don't no where there going.but all iknow is that i would never go back to being Catholic.but i do believe if you hear the truth and turn away.well lets just say it wont be good.
2006-08-01 16:25:33 · answer #6 · answered by bassetluv 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What color is the sky on your planet? All Jesus cultists are Christians and they are all delusional superstitionists who will, at death, achieve the same fate as the rest of us. Being "saved" will consist of eternal worm-poopdom and non-existence. So, no difference.
2006-08-01 16:08:21 · answer #7 · answered by iknowtruthismine 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God hold us accountable for what we know. If we are sincere and serch Him out He will lead us into a saving relationship. But He does not leave us there. He contiues to refine us and draw us near to Him.
2006-08-01 16:09:42 · answer #8 · answered by SEOplanNOW.com 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋