Should I baptize my baby even if I'm not religious?

Question

I'm 34 weeks pregnant and last night my Mother-in-law asked us about baptism - this came completely out of left field for me because my husband and I had not talked about it and I had never even considered the possibility. My husband was raised Catholic but no longer goes to Church and I was christened but can literally count on one hand how often I've set foot in a Church. I'm an athiest and I really disagree with organized religion, but my Mother-in-law was totally scandalized that we'd be willing to break tradition and not baptize our baby. I would feel like a total hypocrite doing such a thing when I literally have no tie whatsoever to Christianity. How do I deal with this?

Answer 1

If you have no intention of raising the child Catholic, you should not baptize him. He will then be bound to the Church. I would imagine that your hubby would want to, but then it would be on him to raise the baby in the faith...Now adays, most catholics that dont go to Mass anymore, still cling to that one sacrament, Baptism. My sil did it, and she never goes to church, but she sure had to have her child baptized! I would do some research on it, and talk to the priest...Some may say yes, go ahead, some will say no...

Answer 2

Infant baptism is two things: a welcoming of the infant into what the Church calls the body (church) of Christ and a promise from the parents and godparents to make certain the child is raised in the faith.

I am sorry your mother-in-law was upset, but this happens in families and it's certainly not the end of tradition and family unity. She will get over her disappointment.

The Church will not appreciate a baptism that you have no intention of fulfilling and you are right for refusing what for you would be an act of hypocrisy.

Stand your ground.

Answer 3

I have this exact situation. I was raised Catholic and havent gone to Mass for years and years. My mother in law insists that they are Lutheran, although she herself hasnt been inside a church for 15 years, and hubby hasnt been to church for longer than that.

My mother in law went as far as to buy an entire Christening outfit for our baby and drop hints about having a 'Blessing Ceremony'. Every once in a while, my mom pipes up about a babtism. Ugh.

What I finally decided to do was to raise my child in as much of a wholesome environment as possible - and then perhaps join a church as a family down the road and have my child baptised when THEY WANT to make the decision to accept God and a religion.

Answer 4

I was born Catholic and also had pressure from the family about baptizing both of our children.

If it is something you are not comfortable with, don't do it. Your the parent, it is your decision and no one else's in your family. Besides, now a days you have to actually be a member of the church who would baptize.

I didn't do it for either of my children, they can decide which religion that they want to follow when they are old enough to make that decision.

Answer 5

Baptizing your child is dedicating her/him to Christ, publicly stating that you are willing to raise this child in the Church and asking the people of the Church to be a good example and to help with the education in Faith.
As much as I would love to see you have your baby baptized , I have to remind you to think about this -- this is YOUR child , Not hers
You need to work this out with your husband.
Perhaps he wants to actively raise the child in the Faith-then perhaps he should have the child baptized,
Baptism is not MAGIC. It is an outward sign to the world that you are raising your child as a Catholic.

Answer 6

being against organized religion and being and atheist are totally different in my opinion. if you believe in God but not in the church rules then that is not an atheist.
the baptism of an infant is just an open statement that you are giving you child over to the care of God till the child is of an age to choose for themselves. and in this day and age you need all the help you can get with raising a child and keeping them safe. instead of making that choice now, you can wait till the child is born and after holding that sweet little gift from God in your arms for the first time then make decide.
You and your husband should be honest with his parents about how you feel but also tell them you will give it some honest thought out of respect for her, and ask that she give you the time to do so and then respect your wishes.

Answer 7

My husband is kinda like you but because I have ties to my christian faith the child will be baptised. Rather do this and teach the child some values until the child can decide against it. You dont know how your child will turn out so dedicating the child back to God is a step in the right direction. Its not about the tradition behind it but the meaning of the action.

Answer 8

I got this question a lot from my husband's family, as they do not know my religion. I just kindly turned them down, and said that I will let my kids decide when they get older if they want to get baptized. I do not raise the children with any beliefs, as I let them decide on their own what they believe. I show them my religion, let them watch my rituals, but I do not force and brainwash them into believing my religion.

Answer 9

Religion should be something that someone chooses. You should not have to be Catholic just because your parents are. And I don't think that God is going to say "Hey, this kid wasn't baptised so let's throw lots of bad stuff his way". God loves everyone, baptised or not.

Answer 10

If I were you, I would not do it now, unless you have religious beliefs.. and let your child decide around 10 to 14 years old which religion they prefer and let them decide to be baptized then.