My sister in law and brother are planning on having their baby baptised as is my sister this year. I am no longer in the Catholic faith and don't believe in baptising as a baby(they can't make their own decision). I don't preach my opinions and will go to be 'civil'.Do I get the babies a gift? If so what is appropriate?
2006-09-05 12:58:40 · 19 answers · asked by nobody's hero 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
As a mother of three children, I always appreciate gift cards. Especially when they are so young and don't really care about gifts. This way you put it in the hands of the parents to get the child exactly what they need.
Too many people give cute fluffy outfits that aren't really practical. Gift cards are always great.
This is also a good gift if your religion differs. Think of baptism gift as a birthday gift. This is much better than giving a religious gift that you do not believe in.
2006-09-05 13:12:46 · answer #1 · answered by dianamanny 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Thank you for respecting the beliefs of others.
Get your niece whatever you feel comfortable with. I always like a picture Bible that your niece will appreciate in a year or two.
If you would like to hear why Catholics baptize infants read on. Otherwise God bless.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, "Born with a fallen human nature and tainted by original sin, children also have need of the new birth in Baptism to be freed from the power of darkness and brought into the realm of the freedom of the children of God, to which all men are called."
Infant baptism is not a new thing. There are non-biblical documented sources starting in the second century telling of infant Baptism.
There are even several passages in the Bible where whole households were baptized. This would include everyone who lived there, men, women, children, and infants.
Acts 16:15, "After she and her household had been baptized"
Acts 16:33, "then he and all his family were baptized at once."
Acts 18:8, "came to believe in the Lord along with his entire household, and many of the Corinthians who heard believed and were baptized."
1 Corinthians 1:16, "I baptized the household of Stephanas"
St. Paul wrote that baptism has replaced circumcision (Col 2:11-12), and in Judaism circumcision was performed primarily on infants.
With love in Christ.
2006-09-06 00:38:44 · answer #2 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you don't believe in baptism of a child then you shouldn't go to the ceremony as it shows you are there uspporting their decision. if you attend the celebration after i would recommend yes getting a gift but something for the child for when it's older and can make their own decisions on faith. a child's bible or book on bible stories. if you are not of any faith, then something non denominational - a bond is always an easy gift.
btw, it's not only Catholics who baptize as children.
2006-09-05 20:04:18 · answer #3 · answered by Marysia 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely participate in the celebration of your family! Get the baby a keepsake of Jesus Christ or the Holy Spirit. Something that as the child grows he or she will be reminded of this gift of love from her or his aunt.
God is Love. Focus on the fact that Jesus Christ is Lord!
Sharing your Love, compassion, respect, and hope for this new family member is the most precious gift. Enjoy the moment, without the dissension.
God Bless you and remember that Roman Catholics are your brother and sisters in Christ Jesus.
Praise be Jesus Christ now and forever.
2006-09-05 20:15:28 · answer #4 · answered by Lives7 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
As long as it is tasteful and not offensive to the Catholic faith, I don't see why not. An angel, Catholic bible, religious card, or something like that would be good. A trip to a Catholic book store would be a good place to go.
This link has a lot of good Catholic items:
http://www.ewtn.com/catalogue/index.asp
2006-09-05 20:08:47 · answer #5 · answered by Life 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you want to give your niece a gift on a special family occasion, that sounds fine to me.
If you want to give your niece a gift on Thursday, because it is Thursday, that is ok too!
Spoiling the kids rotton is an aunt's/uncle's JOB. Go shopping, baby! It's a tough job, but SOMEBODY has to do it!
Have fun with the family.
2006-09-05 20:03:59 · answer #6 · answered by MamaBear 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A gift would certainly be a nice gesture. Any kind of baby gift would do - it doesn't have to be religious. Baby books, like "Pat the Bunny" are always nice.
And please do be "civil" and perhaps a little more than "civil" - this is your family after all.
2006-09-05 21:42:34 · answer #7 · answered by Sass B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't get the baby a gift for being baptized. Get the baby a gift just for being born. Make it something non-religious and practical. I'm sure the kid will get plenty of needless religious crap at the baptism.
2006-09-05 20:03:55 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
the catholic church does not punish people from other religions for giving Babtisum gifts & she is still your niece. it is your niece being babtised not you. it is a religious celebration for your niece not you. dont be stingy give her a gift. or are you none christian? if you are a christian you would know that the answr to your question is in the Bible itself. read it dear !
2006-09-05 20:14:01 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it doesn't matter what you're religion is. They will probably get alot of bibles, so avoid that. Maybe a little gold necklace with a cross?
2006-09-05 20:05:18 · answer #10 · answered by Fleur de Lis 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋