Please don't give me any crap about "original sin" either, (how the hell does a newborn baby sin?) Is it just a way for churches to recruit new members before they have a chance to decide for themselves?
2006-10-08 06:15:41 · 10 answers · asked by marcia_mahoya 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
This practice called pedo-baptism began in the 3rd century at a time when infant mortality was over 50%. It was started to placate the populous that were scared (through ignorance of scripture) that their babies would burn in hell as they had not yet been saved. The Catholic church relented and began infant baptism because of this. The practice has stuck ever since even though all biblical baptisms were of adults.
Some christian sects today reject this practice and insist that baptism be by choice when you reach adulthood. Some of these are the Baptists, Adventists, and other puritan groups.
Even Christ was an adult for his baptism!
2006-10-08 06:23:57 · answer #1 · answered by my_iq_135 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you just answered your own question :)
But it's not that simple.
Christians beleive in original sin, they also believe that baptism is a sacriment that cannot be ignored. If you're not baptised, you're not a true part of the church. It's not something unique to Christianity, most religions have similar rituals.
I wouldn't lose sleep over the baptism thing. If a child grows up and decides he doesn't want to be a Christian, so be it. I doubt a little oil and holy water is going to be a deciding factor in what path that person takes.
2006-10-08 13:22:14 · answer #2 · answered by tekn33k 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First I guess from your language you could really care less if anyone is a Christain and just pick a subject that will sometimes divide Christains to attack the Christain faith with.
The curse words sorta give you away as a non Christian.
So why do you care if they love thier children and wish to baptise or dedicate them, since your obviously don't beleive in any of it.
But basicly they do it because the bible tells us to, They show where someone and thier entire households were baptised.
And it is not the church roles but the person being saved that is important
2006-10-08 13:36:56 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I actually agree, I haven't baptized my son ( who is 4). I read the bible all the time, and have learned that to be baptized is a conscious decision you make to/for God that you will sin no more. And you will repent for the sins you now know what sin is. I agree ~ kids don't know what they're doing, this is why God said "he who humbles himself as this child will be first in the kingdom of Heaven." Now that I believe.
2006-10-08 13:35:14 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Newborn babies are dedicated to the Lord - it's a way of promising that you, as parents, will raise the kid according to the Bible's teachings. Older children are baptized when THEY decide to become Christians - it's a public way of stating that "I've decided to be a Christian."
2006-10-08 13:19:48 · answer #5 · answered by Sam 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because it is what they believe is the right thing to do, I don't think its a recruitment strategy, I think it's following beliefs, and that is not crap. I personally think that you have to commit a sin to go to hell, and babies are innocent, so they don't need it yet, but I'm not going to knock someone for doing something to that in their mind is going to protect their child.
2006-10-08 13:20:48 · answer #6 · answered by ASH 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO baptism isn't sprinkling water on your babies head. Jesus got baptized by submersion and that is the example he gave use. Chruches have changed that. I personally believe that you have to know btwn right and wrong. You have to accept Jesus as your personal savior and when you get baptized that's when you start a brand new walk with God. you can email me if you have any more questions. LatinRose17@yahoo.com
~Rosalyn~
2006-10-08 13:20:48 · answer #7 · answered by latinrose17 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Culture. They are afraid if they don't their children may miss out. I know parents who never went to church but had their babies baptized.
2006-10-08 14:46:59 · answer #8 · answered by SEOplanNOW.com 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i asked a question relating to this topic a few days ago:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AksVWylB6XaPYKRUvQ.oMjjsy6IX?qid=20061003224053AAKHpYD
2006-10-08 13:18:09 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
because they are superstitious. no one really knows what happens when you die, no matter what anyone thinks.
2006-10-08 13:32:39 · answer #10 · answered by count scratchula 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋