My parents never baptized me for some reason when I was a child, although they were Catholics. I never asked them why. I asked my friends if I should go to church and they all said I would be really, really bored, and believe them. I asked my parents if they would bring me and they always said they would talk about. They talked about it and then forgot to talk about it or something. So without being baptized I can't go to church and I don't think my parents want to get me baptized for some reason. I don't want to take these classes for a year and I don't want to get baptized so I don't know how to be religious.
2007-04-09 14:22:19 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Your parents are doing you a big favor.
2007-04-09 14:25:24 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 5⤋
Infant baptism is not something the bible requires for one to be saved. Some churches do this tradition, and might give false meaning about it. Infants, and young children, should they die, will go to heaven. It is when you become of accountable age, maybe around 12 or 13, that it's a different story. Once a person accepts Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord and repents of their sins, that can then go and get baptized simply to testify to others that they are 'now cleansed' and filled with the Holy Spirit. Jesus was not baptized as a baby but when He was older. That doesn't mean a baby can't be dedicated, which is to be prayed for.
2007-04-09 21:30:08 · answer #2 · answered by VW 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Baptism is just a ritual, it doesn't make you "religious" or not. It is a big deal, however, because it's a symbol that you've decided to enter into a relationship with God. Once you've publicly said that you want to be a Christian and do things God's way, it's easier to get connected with a community of other believers, which is really important to growing in faith. I would hold off on it until you're sure that you want to make that kind of commitment to God. Just go to a few churches until you've found one in which you feel comfortable with both how they view God and how the community embraces you. Then, if you feel ready, get baptized. Don't just do it to be doing it though. Put some thought into it.
2007-04-09 21:33:44 · answer #3 · answered by pixistix166 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Baptism with water is how believers in Christ pledged a good consciece toward God, so first you must be a believer in Jesus Christ as the son of God who was without sin and died in your place to take away your sins. All genuine Christian churches require that you must be baptized with water in order to receive the Eucharist (Catholic) or the Lord's Supper (Protestant). Also once baptized with water you will be recognized as a member of the body of Christ.
Jesus commands baptism with water in Matthew at the end of the book in order for you to be a disciple of Christ, meaning that you will now follow the example of Christ in living your life as Christ lived His.
I hope this helps. I'm sorry but the Catholic church is strict on the year so that they make sure that you are serious about your faith in Christ and aren't just making a decision without substance behind it.
In Christ,
Mark :o)
P.S. I'm Protestant, but I know, understand, and respect the Catholic Faith.
2007-04-09 21:31:34 · answer #4 · answered by neofreshmao 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Baptism is the symbol of inner cleansing
and purification. You have to do this to be admitted as a member into a Church.
My son is 36, and will be Baptized in June.
You are NEVER to old. Don't let that hold you back...Last year I saw a man around 60, baptized...he said it was the happiest day of his life....go for it, you won't be sorry.
2007-04-09 21:29:53 · answer #5 · answered by Kerilyn 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Interesting thought, if you can't get baptized because your parents won't allow it, I would you place you in the same category as the thief on the cross, unable to be marked as God's property, but God's property nonetheless. Yes, get baptized as soon as you are legally able to, but in the meantime respect your parents knowing you've got an address in the Kingdom.
2007-04-10 00:14:57 · answer #6 · answered by ccrider 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
supposedly you cant get into heaven without being baptized.
but let's look at this reasonably, they usually baptize babies, who havent agreed that they want a relationship with god before the ceremony. if the classes were so important they wouldnt baptize children until they were a certain age and had made the willing choice to be baptized.
2007-04-09 21:37:25 · answer #7 · answered by sweets 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You can go to church without being baptized. You will need to be baptized if you want to get married in a catholic church. Go to church and tell your pastor you want to join thats important! They will send you envelopes to make weekly donations I usually give two dollars. This way when you need their services it's a kind of proof that you belong. Ask them about baptism they usually offer classes for young adults and it's not a year long process. Don't let your friends influenece your decision to attend church.
2007-04-09 21:30:26 · answer #8 · answered by JJ 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Baptism is for the believers in Jesus Christ. Once you are saved, being baptized is an outward sign of your acceptance of Jesus, it represents dying to the old self.
Baptism won't save you and get you into Heaven, only by accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior will get you to Heaven..
I don't understand why you can't go to church if you're not baptized; that makes no sense to me, that is wrong to deny someone entrance to church as they're not baptized and very unchristian in my opinion.
I'm praying for you, you sound very confused and unsure about your church. If you're old enough, see if you can attend church on your own, many churches have bus services to get you to and from, and talk to your priest/pastor about being baptized. God Bless
2007-04-09 21:30:23 · answer #9 · answered by the pink baker 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
You don't need to go to church in order to believe. You can pray at home just as well. Find your own truth. Don't believe others. Look within. All the answers are there!
They say if you're not baptized, you won't go to heaven, but I say that BS.
2007-04-09 21:29:10 · answer #10 · answered by EarthGirl 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Who says you can't go to church if you're not baptized? Go to church if you want... decide for yourself if it's "boring" or not. But keep in mind, spirituality is not meant to be entertainment. It is meant as a way for you to grow in peace, love, and closeness to God, Allah, or Whomever you believe to have a possible connection to and His people.
Getting back to the "enteratainment" issue... Those people who are waiting to "get something out of it" are not seeing the whole picture; it's not about "what is God going to give me today". The question we should be asking is, "What am I going to do in His name to show love for my brothers and sisters?"
Spirituality is about giving and sacrifice. What things are you willing to do for others in the name of love, what habits are you willing to change to bring you closer to a state of unity with your God? For it is in loving Him that we love others and in loving others that we love Him.
Moving from the state of selfishness to self-lessness, can be a difficult but worthwhile journey.
Take care,
Mon :-)
2007-04-09 21:38:19 · answer #11 · answered by santan_cat 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋