Baptize their children as babies? Shouldn't you let them grow and experince all ways of life so that they may come to there own decision when they are ready?
2007-05-31 17:52:37 · 25 answers · asked by Vintage Glamour 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I do not mean to generalize .It is just that to my knowledge most do. I am just trying to have a better understanding, please don't take offense.
2007-05-31 18:00:14 · update #1
What part of I don't mean to generalize are you not getting!!!!?
2007-05-31 18:23:26 · update #2
Not all Christians do this. Most protestant Christians do not get baptized until they are old enough to make the conscious choice to do so. I dedicated my children to God as babies, which basically says in front of the entire church, that I pledge to do my best to raise my children in a Christian home, with the examples of Christian values taught to them. This is a very important thing to do for many Christian parents, whether one is Catholic or Protestant. I do believe however, that it is primarily Catholic Christians who baptize their children as babies. It is intensely meaningful to them, and while it is not what I myself have done, I can respect the motive behind such a practice.
2007-05-31 17:58:31 · answer #1 · answered by Chimichanga to go please!! 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Baptist Christians don't baptize babies at all. We have a special service once a year and dedicate the children to the Lord and parents make an oath to bring them up as Christian children. Baptism only can be done when someone receives Christ as their Savior. It is a public expression of something that's already happened between the person and God. There is no particular age when this may happen, but certainly a baby cannot make a conscious decision to receive Jesus as their Savior.
2007-05-31 17:59:37 · answer #2 · answered by Joyful Noise 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
For much the same reason the Jews circumcised their male children only 8 days after they were born ... to make them full fledged members of the people of God ... which is known today as the Church.
Those who mistakenly think baptism should wait until later don't understand the insidious nature of original sin, nor do they understand that infant baptism is the clearest demonstration of salvation with absolutely no works at all.
Why wait, when baptism is God's free gift, and it's always 100% effective, simply because God desires all to be saved?
2007-05-31 18:04:29 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
At all the churches I've attended babies were "dedicated" by the parents, not baptized, for the very purpose you stated. It is only when they are old enough to make the decision to dedicate their lives to Christ by their own free will when they are baptized. Peace and God bless.
2007-05-31 17:58:59 · answer #4 · answered by cave man 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You would be referring to Catholics, and yes, it's one of the reasons I left the Catholic church. It's ridiculous to baptize a baby, since it has no choice in accepting God. Baby dedication is a better thing that Protestant Christians do, so at least they have prospects that they keep the faith. Then, children are under no obligation to a faith in which they ma not believe, and can then choose. After all, choosing to follow Christ and be baptized in His name is a big deal-it should be made by someone with at least a certain amount of conscious consideration.
2007-05-31 17:58:56 · answer #5 · answered by Thardus 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋
A baby's soul is allegedly entrusted to the parents by God. Just because someone else believes they have been baptised into a religion is actually meaningless until the child accepts it later in life.
2007-05-31 17:57:25 · answer #6 · answered by Always Curious 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The original Christians did not believe in infant baptism. This is part of the Catholic Church's system of sacraments that a few of the protestant denominations still cling too. As a Baptist I do not believe in infant baptism for the reasons that you and some of the other answers wrote. :-) It should be done because the person chooses for themselves that they are a believer.
2007-05-31 18:01:41 · answer #7 · answered by Future Citizen of Forvik 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I believe most Christians "dedicate" their children then wait and let THEM choose when they wanted to get baptized. Baptism is a personal choice. My children were dedicated as babies. A prayer of blessing over their lives.
My youngest decided to be baptized in 5Th grade. My oldest son waited until he was 17. It was THEIR choice - not mine.
2007-05-31 17:56:07 · answer #8 · answered by Kaliko 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Why? The Apostles baptised children In fact they baptised entire households so there is a precedent for this from the earliest days of the Church.
Cheers :-)
2007-05-31 17:56:53 · answer #9 · answered by chekeir 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Baptism washes away original sin. An inherited sin from Adam and Eve's disobedience in Eden. As the sin was incurred without fault, so the remittance of it is without consent. If the child, when grown, wishes to reject his or her heritage then so be it. We parents, meanwhile, will do what we believe is best for our childrens souls, without your " by your leave" thank you very much!
2007-05-31 17:59:23 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋