I was born and raised a Catholic. The father of my children was born and raised Pentecostal.
I don't want my kids to lead the Pentecostal lifestyle and he doesn't want the kids to lead a Catholic lifestyle.
The reasons why I will not state here...
I figure to let it be and let the kids make up their own minds...
Opinions on this subject will appreciated....
2007-10-28 14:33:54 · 25 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
No we are not married... we were living common-law for 11 years.
2007-10-28 14:34:43 · update #1
It is MOST DEFINITELY no sin! I am no christian but if g-d is g-d what difference does it make? Your stress is futile. The children will ultimately make up their own minds in due time.
What by the way is a Catholic lifestyle? What is a Pentecostal lifestyle? Is one really better than the other in the religion war? Catholism has been the front runner all the way through, the others are offshoots of the same mental stress. Whatever the religious banner, the war will wage. Never ending - my religion or g-d is better than yours thing. Children are born into this world as atheists and do not understand who or what the g-d of the day is. Already with the tension of which g-d is better or who has the better faith the children are at a serious deficit. Who are you trying to please? Would your g-d really care what religion they were involved in? Perhaps your church would make claims but if there were a g-d I doubt it would really care. Children have no choices - they do what they are told - you and your partner will make choices for the children. Which of you really has the best religion [that is ridiculous], do you both have some g-d belief, if you do - what is the difference?
You have a holy war going on in your house, let it go. The catholic guilt thing is upon you, they have lots of money and church going believers, so do the pentecostal's. It's a flip of a coin whatever your reasons.
2007-10-28 15:13:29 · answer #1 · answered by Tricia R 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's not a sin for your children not to be baptized. The best advice is probably like you have said, let them make up their own minds about it. I was baptized & raised Catholic, (even though I'm not religious now) and I know how it can be that other Catholics may think it would be a sin, but it really isn't. My mom didn't like the fact that one of my sisters had children who were not baptized. I don't think it's a big deal.
2007-10-28 14:44:33 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Contrary to what some people think, baptism is essential for salvation.
If one of the children should die before they get baptized, you and your husband can blame each other for what happened ... for the rest of your lives ... while the child will have to suffer the eternal consequences ... whatever they might be.
As a Catholic, you should know this .... and you should do something immediately, in order to remedy the problem.
So long as the kids are baptized with water, in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, their baptism will be both valid and effective ... for any authentically Christian church.
The world is a very risky place.
Get it done ... and soon.
2007-10-28 16:14:53 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Sam,
I grew up Catholic and wouldn't put my kids through that. Hubby and I have been married 14 years and religion/church, etc... was a huge issue in our marriage for a long time as I wanted to go to church (Catholic guilt that never ends).
We looked around for years for a decent church and when we lived in Arizona, we found a Methodist church that was wonderful. Got them baptized Methodist b/c the pastor was very real and down to Earth...soft spoken and genuine. After we left there, no church has clicked since. Saw hypocrisy everywhere...felt fake. Don't go to church now but walk the walk and kids are very centered and do lots of volunteering. I tell people that we "home church" (much like home school) although it's no one's business what we do! LOL!
Don't feel bad. Model good behavior! I think organized religion just confuses kids. They will find their own way...hang in there.
2007-10-28 14:40:53 · answer #4 · answered by itsallgood 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
First, let's talk about, is it a sin to be living with a man who is not your husband? The children will be just fine right now if they are not baptized because they do not have that complete understanding of salvation. I read "23 minutes of Hell" and the author said that he did not hear screams and agony of children in hell. How old are your children?
So the focus should be on your sinful living with a man that is not your husband. Common Law marriage is another way the devil tricks us to think living in sin is okay. I have not read or heard God mentioning anything about common law marriage. Believe me, your children's soul is the least you need to be worried about. So get married or move out!
I am not a religion. I am a Christian because I belong to Christ. Bickering over religion is childish!
God bless!
lesliewilson919@yahoo.com
2007-10-28 14:54:36 · answer #5 · answered by savedbygrace 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
It is not a matter of opinion here. Let's look at Jesus. He was baptized in full water submersion. When he came out of the water, the holy spirit came upon him. I believe this is what Penecostal's preach. There is nothing wrong with that. After all, if Jesus did it, why shouldn't we? However, none of us gets to heaven by works. Being baptized under water or being sprinkled with holy water is still being baptized The key to your children's eternal salvation is whether they believe Jesus Christ is the Savior, that he died for their sins, rose after three days, and is the only way to heaven. We can only get to heaven by believing this and nothing else. Remember, we can't earn our way to heaven. He is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except by Him. God Bless You!
2007-10-28 14:52:27 · answer #6 · answered by matt 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Regardless of living situation or marriage, baptism is a choice. Baptism is a choice that should be made by people when they are old enough to realize what it signifies.
Being baptized doesn't grant you salvation, and it doesn't make a Christian, just like going to church doesn't do these things. The important ingredient is faith, all else will follow.
2007-10-28 14:44:43 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Infant Baptism was a product largely of the high infant mortality rate that has plagued much of human history. People were taught that to die unbaptised meant damnation if they died. It also had the effect of "insuring" membership in a Christian religion.
Letting your children decide for themselves is wise. And no loving God would hold such a decision against them if the worst should happen.
2007-10-28 14:42:06 · answer #8 · answered by vic91106 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
No, it's not a sin. I was saved in pentecostal church, where they believed that if you weren't baptized you could possibly go to hell, I don't belive that. I think the decisions should be made by the individual. What good is it going to do be baptized and not even know why or what it means.
2007-10-28 14:40:11 · answer #9 · answered by wxyz 4 · 5⤊ 1⤋
Do you love God? Do the children know God? Do you need a splash of tap water to prove that? Your children have the choice, let them make it. I do not believe in organized religion. It scares me. I live my life for God and Jesus, and the other Elders of Heaven. What of all the children who died unbaptised. Would you say God sent them to Hell?? Even though they were not given a choice?? If any God would do that- I would be afraid to live. My God , Your God, is a loving God. He loves you and your children. Unmarried? Are you committed to each other thru God? Do you need a piece of paper to prove that? You allready are married, through God, if you both are truly committed. Dont let anyone tell you otherwise, love.
God bless you and your children. You are loved if you love Him.
2007-10-28 15:00:19 · answer #10 · answered by The Stylist 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋