do you think this is right? catholic people?

Question

okay i do not go to church but i believe in God, and i was not baptised when i was a baby..both of my parents were raised catholic and they knew we wouldnt be going to church a lot and they didnt think it was right to get me baptised if i wouldnt go and also my mom doesnt believe all of the catholic ideas are right..so do you think that was wrong of my parents..am i liek the only girl.im 13 who hasnt been baptised? thanks=)

Answer 1

You should talk to your parents and tell them that you desire to be baptized and listen to their reasons as to why you were not baptized before. Listen and honor your parents decision.

Someone on here who is a believer in the heresy of believers only baptism says that one must be of a certain age of reason and I would assume a certain intellect to be baptized. Obviously he believes that children who die before that age are not deserving of eternity and those, adult or child, without the mental capacity to repent or even know right from wrong are also not deserving of the Gospel promise. While justifying such a twisted theology he/she ignores the fact that the Bible has many examples of entire families being baptized which must have included mentally deficient as well as children but is unwilling to even acknowledge their need for a Savior also. Obviously the teaching of "believers only " baptism is not a biblically supportable doctrine. May the Lord have mercy on all the false teachers.

In Christ
Fr. Joseph

Answer 2

It was not wrong of your parents. In the RCC Baptism is a rite of bringing someone into the Christian community, and of the parents and god parents and Catholic-Christian community make a pledge/promise to raise the child/support the entrant in the traditions of Christianity and Roman Catholocism. Each year during the Easter season, we repeat our baptismal vows and are baptised again :) It's one of my favorite liturgies. Baptism in the Roman Catholic tradition is about community. And if your parents did not feel agreement with this arrangement, it is better that they did not do it - in a way, that is a very high act of honoring the faith and tradition.

You may choose for yourself now what you will devote yourself to. In the Roman Catholic Church, this happens through the Confirmation and the rite of initiation for Christian adults (RICA). These rites (sacraments) are the ones about you making your own choice. That was the first choice I made of my own free will in my life which is why I remember it so well and fondly :)

There are many things within the doctrines and dogmas of the Roman Catholic Church that cause questions for people - and this is true of all the other religions and their denominations and sects - Christian and non-Christian alike. You will not find a "perfect" church anywhere on this earth in this life because "Saints are sinners who keep trying" -- that is to say - the Church is made up of people like you and me and I can tell you that I'm a sinner as well as everyone else. So since the Church is made of people like me, how can it ever be "perfect" until that day when Jesus returns? So rather than looking for the Church that has all the correct answers and correct philosopies and correct dogmas etc -- it's better to pray to God and ask Him to guide you in finding the Church where you belong.

God bless.
-M

Answer 3

When people have their baby baptized they stand in a church and vow - before the church and God - that they will raise their child in that faith.

A lot of people who don't particularly subscribe to a faith just bring their babies to a church and have them baptized, as kind of "what people just do" whether or not they believe in what that church teaches.

Other people take making vows more seriously and feel it was would wrong to stand in a church and vow to raise their child, telling them all the things the church says, whether or not they - in their hearts - believe what the church says is not right.

There are a whole lot of babies that get baptized because their parents want to make the grandparents (often more religious) happy - and no other reason than that.

No. I don't think your parents were wrong to feel it would be wrong to make meaningless vows in a church. If one day you find a religion you think seems right for you you can always learn all their rules and beliefs and get baptized.

The world is full of people who have never been baptized. There are also religions that don't let people be baptized until they're old enough to know what they believe and promise to be good followers.

I, personally, think if there's a God He doesn't care what religious "club" someone signs up for, as long as they're good and kind people who do their best not to intentionally hurt anyone in this life. I think you should respect your parents' refusal to be phony for fifteen minutes in a church - just to pretend they believed something they didn't.

Answer 4

It really does not matter if your parents were right or wrong 13 years ago.

What matters is what do you want to do now?

Do you want to explore the Catholic faith and see if you wish to become a member and be baptized?

If you are interested in joining or just learning more about the Catholic Church, contact your local parish and ask about information about their RCIA Inquiry group. Make sure you tell them how old you are.

You can go and ask any questions you want.

This is the first step in RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) but you can stop at any time. (Yes, the Catholic Church considers you an adult)

There is no obligation to become a Catholic.

With love and prayers in Christ.

Answer 5

I've been through the same thing myself. My parents raised me atheist. When I started believing in God, I was kind of angry with them for not teaching me about and doing all the stuff that Christian parents are "supposed" to do.

But you know what? They ascribe(d) to atheist ideas, so it never occurred to them to give me a Christian upbringing. So I really should not have expected them to do something they don't believe has any value.

Now, then, here you are, you are 13 and you want to be baptized. I think it would be wise for you to tell your parents that this is what you want. Perhaps you have friends who go to church regularly, and you can ask permission from your parents to go to church with that family and receive instruction from that church so you can be baptized according to your desire.

Not knowing your parents, I have no idea how they will react. They may shrug and say, "Whatever." They may scoff at you. They may be very supportive. Nobody will know for sure until you ask.

Answer 6

I don't think it was wrong for you not to be baptized. When you're old enough, you can choose to do that if you want. Parents get to make these choices for their children; that's just how it is. I'm an atheist, but I did have my sons when they were babies over 20 years ago. My husband and I were both raised Catholic, and I thought maybe one day it would matter to them, or to a woman they loved, and, why not? I'm not sure I would do it that way again now--I wasn't quite as secure in my atheism then as I am now.

Answer 7

Those talking about "no baptizing children"..
I just want to point out my personal belief on the matter.
The baptizm of children is, for the most part, for the congregation and the parents and family of the child. A vow before God that we will bind ourselves to the Christian upbringing of that child.

Further, one does not choose to be baptised. Did the 12 in the upper room, choose to be baptised with The Holy Spirit? So too, is your baptism with water, a non choice. It feels like you chose it, sure, but you didn't God chose you, so you chose baptism.

Just my personal belief.

Answer 8

As married Catholics, your parents took on the obligation,
to get you baptised & take you to church regularly.
Being baptised would make you a member of the church.
If your mother had questions about church teaching,
she should make inquiries & try to understand them.
You are now at the age where you can do this yourself.

Answer 9

They acted with their consciences and you should act with yours.

As a Catholic I was raised to believe that you can not be saved unless you are baptized, however having studied Catholic history and saints (I wanted to be a priest when I was younger) I learned that many saints were they them selves not baptized, many were even of different faiths than Catholics and yet they are honored. They are honored because they represent the best parts of being Catholic, of being people of faith, of love, of having will, determination and conviction.

That is the key to being a good person.

If you choose to be baptized then I say by all means, it can be a source of focus, to remind you of a promise to be a good person. But even if you do not, you can work and strive and work towards being a person of faith, strength and goodness.

If you feel you should make a leap of faith then by all means do, but learn more about what it is to be Catholic before you make your choice. Faith is not for every one and it comes with a price. But if you are ready and able to handle what comes with it, faith can be one of your greatest allies and be worth it.

Best of luck to you.

Answer 10

If your parents weren't willing to bring you up in the Catholic faith, then it's probably best that you were not baptized as an infant.

It would have been better if they did raise you Catholic, and have you baptized as a baby, though ... both for them and for you.

Now what?