my husband and i have three children. the oldest is 8 and though not biologically his he has been her father and a great one might i add. he is mexican and his family is very religous though we do not attend church his family has made comments about when and why havent we baptised our children. i am not religous and never attended church growing up. his church is spanish speaking and i dont speak any spanish. he insists the children be baptised at his families church. even though i did not attend church i was raised christian. if we dont attend church then why must it be such a big deal. what exac tly do we have to do do get them baptised. i know that a class has to be taken?????
2007-02-19 14:50:22 · 7 answers · asked by felixnstacey@sbcglobal.net 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
i didnt know not attending church made me a bad mother did anyone else????? i thought a bad mother was someone who neglected or ignored their children
2007-02-19 15:03:15 · update #1
According to the bible and Jesus all must be baptised. If you are going to become Catholic yes a class has to be taken. It's called RCIA. I will be baptised Easter 2008
2007-02-19 14:56:21 · answer #1 · answered by tebone0315 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ANSWER:
To be honest with you, I believe you and your husband need to work on yourselves first. The problem isn't the children's baptism, they will be blessed. They will need strong parents. For THAT to happen, I would advise you both attend a church that you both can get the Word from. You will not get anything from going to his church. If your children are baptized there, he will feel compeled to stay there. But if you aren't going to church, it will start separating you both. Eventually the children will feel the split. I promise... it's happened too many times. If you both are getting the word at a mutual church, then your children will be baptized and grow up under the guidance of a loving parental group that will make them stronger.
All in all, You and your husband should find a mutual church and strengthen yourself first, then go through the process of baptising your children.
2007-02-19 23:02:08 · answer #2 · answered by se-ke 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to understand that the Catholic Church has an interest in removing the original sin from your child. This is what is making your husband's family so adamant about getting your youngsters baptized whether you go to church or not. The eight-year-old may be considered to be above the age of reason and a "lost cause" if he does not subscribe to any faith. The younger children may very well be open territory for salvation if they are below the age of reason and declared innocent by the Church through this rite.
Protestant faiths are divided as to whether baptism should be performed on infants or adults. Depending on the belief, you'll get some answers on the validity of the "believers baptism" and some answers on "covenant theology" that has baptism replacing Old Testament circumcision.
Your children, your call as to how you'll raise them in or out of church. It's commendable to be concerned about your in-laws' anxieties, but it really is none of their business as to how you and your husband conduct your family's religious affairs.
2007-02-19 23:51:00 · answer #3 · answered by ccrider 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sounds like they are catholic, and they want to perform a baptisim on children as young as possible, but biblically, there are some things you should understand before you are baptized.
In acts 8:26-31 Phillip was told to stay close to a chariot that was passing by, and he asked the ethiopian in the chariot it he UNDERSTOOD what he was reading, Phillip was invited into the chariot to explain it to him. After he understood the Good news he was baptized. if they don't understand the message of the cross baptisim will mean nothing.
2007-02-19 23:04:15 · answer #4 · answered by setfreejn836 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
While some baptize their babies, in the Bible, baptism was for those who became believers in Christ. Do your children believe in Christ? My eleven year old was baptized last year at his choice. I was baptized at age 9 because I asked to be. It is a ceremony to show that you have become a believer and that your sins have been washed away. Bring your children to church and let them decide if they believe. Believing in Christ's death and resurrection is a very big deal.
2007-02-19 22:57:50 · answer #5 · answered by beckyslp 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes. It is not good to have your children baptized and then not take them to Church. There are classes to go to but if you REALLY want to be a good Mother be sure to give them the chance for ETERNAL LIFE.
God Bless your husband for insisting.
2007-02-19 22:55:26 · answer #6 · answered by Midge 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Baptism is an outward expression of an inward commitment to follow Christ an his teachings. Otherwise you are merely putting water on a person. Does the child know Christ and does he want to express his wishes to follow christ?
2007-02-19 22:56:24 · answer #7 · answered by Tribble Macher 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋