Why do some religions baptize infants? Doesn't that negate personal choice and encourage brainwashing?

Answer 1

don't confine this question to Christianity only. every religion wants to make infants to be ardent believers of it.the religious heads want to condition the brains of the children from their child hood so that they would become robots and dance to the tunes of those religious heads.it is the duty of parents to inculcate scientific temper and rational thinking in their children

Answer 2

Even the very earliest Christians had the practice of baptizing individuals at any age, including infants. This article from a Lutheran church has some excerpts from the writings of the earliest Christian Theologians (100s-200sAD) : http://www.orlutheran.com/html/baptevid.html

Please check out the articles below as well for more information about the earliest Christian beliefs about Baptism, and why Infant Baptism has been practiced since the beginning of the Church.

Also, remember the Old Testament. Babies were circumcised when they were eight days old, entering them into the Covenant between God and Abraham. Just because they weren't old enough to understand or to consent doesn't mean that they were to be deprived of this. Infant Baptism is an entry into God's new covenant, brought about by the Resurrection of Christ. The gift of Salvation is not withheld from infants, so why withhold the Sacrament of Baptism?

"We love because He first loved us." First Letter of John, 4:19

AJ

Answer 3

As near as I can determine the practice began with Augustine, who believed all were condemned by Adam and Eve's original sin. Augustine certainly preached infant baptism so even tiny babies would be spared an eternity in Hell.

I don't think the practice either negates personal choice or encourages brainwashing, but it is definitely arguable that this isn't scriptural baptism, since a person is supposed to confess and repent his or her sins and then be baptized for remission of them.

I was raised Lutheran, and Lutherans generally support infant baptism, but allow parents to choose to allow their children grow up and make the choice for themselves. I am now a member of the Church of Christ, which considers adult baptism by immersion to be the only scriptural baptism.

My parents had me baptized as an infant and I was confirmed in the Lutheran Church. As an adult I chose to be baptized again--by immersion in a river--at the age of 41.

I support personal choice.

I do hope God is merciful enough to allow those who are sincere in their beliefs and who were baptized as infants to be saved, however in order to be certain I think adult baptism by immersion is the only scriptural way.

Answer 4

Some do it because they believe that you can't get into Heaven without being baptized. Some others do it cause they think it's "right". I know quite a few people who have baptized their kids, even though the only time they go to church is for a funeral or a wedding! And yes, I do believe that it negates personal choice to an extent. Most people will find their own beliefs, one way or another eventually.

Answer 5

Because everyone has free will, and everyone is free to change religions, baptizing infants does nothing to negate personal choice.

As for brainwashing: We teach our kids to be careful when they cross the street, to be kind to others, to be wary of strangers, and many other important things.

Why shouldn't we teach them about God? God is the most important thing.

Baptism does obtain grace, does make one a temple of the Holy Spirit, does make one an adopted child of God and a co-heir with Jesus Christ. It also makes one a member of the church, and gives one the right to call Jesus' Father our own.

As for all of these ... the sooner the better!

No where in the Bible is infant baptism prohibited.

Answer 6

Some religions believe that when a baby is born, it is born with the "sins of Adam's transgressions." Meaning, every baby is born with the sins of Adam after being cast of Eden on him... I know crazy right? So, a baby needs to be baptized as soon as possible after birth so they can be clean of sin. I know that catholicism believes that if a baby is not baptized and they die, that they go to hell. No if's and's or but's about it. Other religions such as Mormonism believe that it's a "choice" but most children are baptized at the age of eight, but no earlier. It is a choice of the child, so if they don't want to be baptized they don't have to, but unfortunately, it's the "thing to do" so it's basically a tradition. Other religions baptize upon conversion to faith and so forth... this is all I know!

Answer 7

well, soon after the plague hit, back in the dirty 1200's, the church decided to allow it, since they worried that so many innocent souls were going to waste. There was a big arguement even in the 400's as to whether women had souls or not, so you can imagine that people wondered if children had them as well. Today, you and I take for granted the fact that every living human has a soul, but there are those in todays society that will argue the point about whether or not animals have them.

The main example, is that of Mary and Joseph, who took Jesus to the temple at the perscribed time (he was about 1 month old they figure), where Simon and Anna waited, having prayed all their lives to see the Christ-child. They offered two doves in exchange, dedicating their first born to God, as tradition dictated, I think it was started by that guy who was the prophet that annointed David as king (or maybe it was Saul he annointed), anyway...

this woman wanted her child to be an "apprentice" to this prophet, so she dedicated her little boy to God, and at the age of three, he left his family and lived with this prophet dude.

Remember the story in the bible: a little boy is sleeping, and three times he wakes up and shakes his master's shoulder: "What will you have of me master?" Until the prophet realizes that even at this tender age, God was calling him, and he says, "Next time you hear someone call your name, say,"here I am, Lord", " And so he did.

That's probably the bestest story in the bible. Can't believe you don't know it.

As for the "brainwashing" part, as many before me pointed out, I don't think babies remember that. Do you remember being 1 month old? Besides that, there's nothing wrong with water symbolizing a cleansing. Those who do not appreciate symbolizm are unimaginative boors. I hope that you are not one of them. Can't you bend your mind a teeny bit around that concept? Perhaps, if you sweat many sweat drops, you just might do it.

Answer 8

I think infant baptisms are done as a sign of the parent's intent to raise them as Christians. I don't think that sprinkling water on someone and saying a few words is going to amount to brainwashing. I'd say it's how the parents teach that children over an entire childhood that determines whether they have been brainwashed or given freewill.

Answer 9

definite, Catholics and Lutherans both baptize little ones, even with the indisputable fact that the beliefs surrounding it are diverse. Catholics believe that baptism receives rid of unique sin. Lutherans safeguard unique sin, yet see baptism as conferring saving grace upon the newborn. The Catholic area will say that because you aren't any further yet married, you're "residing in sin" till you tie the knot. even with the indisputable fact that, i'm particularly particular there is not any requirement to be married earlier having your son baptized. Lutherans will also baptize your son, yet both religions will require that a minimum of one figure be actively curious about that church. definite, the a number of solutions indexed right here are impolite. each and every so often you should attend somewhat for the added perfect, extra purpose solutions.

Answer 10

The first Hell Fire and Brimstone was back in colonial days it was called Sinners in the hands of an Angry God. One line of that sermon states that "the floor of hell is littered with the souls of unbaptized babies". This is one reason many churched today baptize children. I agree, it takes away personal choice. My parents took me to church 5 times a week for 18 years. If thats not brainwashing I dont know what is.

Answer 11

its for purifying since we are all born in sin this is a way of washing away the sin the child was born with i think its a beautiful thing later on the child has a right to his or her own belief but as a infant its like a type of protection. just because we dont see demons and evil forces doesnt mean they are not out there and they dont care if a person is 1 -101