why are non-denominational christians and some Catholics against infant baptism?

Question

what exactly is the problem with it? personally, I see none. well, unless they drown the baby in the water, then that's another story. but I see no harm done during the baptism of infants, so I really don't understand why so many people are against it.

in a logical sense, if they really believe in God and they want to belong into God's family, isn't it only natural that they want their babies to belong in God's family as soon as possible too?

just wondering how believers fuss over little things.

I said SOME Catholics. probably those who were just born into it but don't know the teachings of their own Church. aren't you aware that there are Catholics who just profess they are Catholics, but if you ask them what Catholicism is all about they are clueless and silent?

but what if the baby dies before it can even have the capacity to decide? what then?

here's the proof how some Catholics answered concerning infant baptism. and there are also Catholics who are educated what Catholicism is all about, and thanks to them for answering my question. http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ag8czcPviXcfOq3_Dc99OKzty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20071112100135AAngSAf

Kaliko, but if the baby dies without being baptised he/she will go to heaven, but if he/she gets baptised in the name of God he/she will go to hell just because he/she got baptised as an infant? is that what you're saying? I don't understand your logic there.

Answer 1

The Catholic Church teaches, "Born with a fallen human nature and tainted by original sin, children also have need of the new birth in Baptism to be freed from the power of darkness and brought into the realm of the freedom of the children of God, to which all men are called."

Infant baptism is not a new thing. There are non-biblical documented sources starting in the second century telling of infant Baptism.

There are even several passages in the Bible where whole households were baptized. This would include everyone who lived there, men, women, children, and infants.

Acts 16:15, "After she and her household had been baptized"

Acts 16:33, "then he and all his family were baptized at once."

Acts 18:8, "came to believe in the Lord along with his entire household, and many of the Corinthians who heard believed and were baptized."

1 Corinthians 1:16, "I baptized the household of Stephanas"

St. Paul wrote that baptism has replaced circumcision (Col 2:11-12), and in Judaism circumcision was performed primarily on infants.

By the way, infant baptism is also practiced by the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Assyrian Church of the East, Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists, Church of the Nazarene, Reformed Church in America, Episcopalians, United Church of Christ (UCC), Presbyterians, Continental Reformed, and others. Together, these constitute over 80% of all those who call themselves Christians.

For more information, see Catechism of the Catholic Church, section 1250: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt2sect2.htm#1250

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

The Bible tells us the purpose of baptism and indicates who should be baptized. Infants do not meet these descriptions.

The doctrine of infant baptism comes from the (mistaken) idea that babies have the guilt of sin, therefore they need to be baptized to wash away that sin.

The Bible does teach that baptism has a role in having our sins washed away (Acts 22:16) by bringing us “into Christ” and figuratively into contact with His death, where the saving blood was shed (Romans 6:3-4, Galatians 3:27, Colossians 2:12). It is that blood that washes away sins (Romans 5:8-10, Revelation 1:5), yet it is through baptism that we contact the blood, therefore, “baptism now saves… through the resurrection of Christ” and baptism is “for the remission of sins”. (1 Peter 3:21, Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16)

Finally, it is at baptism that we “rise to walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:3-13, Colossians 2:12). We cannot be saved if we are not “born again” into this new life in Christ.

Infants, however, do not need to be baptized, and they are not candidates for scriptural baptism, for the following three reasons:

First infants are not born with the guilt of inherited sin, so they do not have any inherited sin (guilt) that needs to be forgiven. Ezekiel 18:20 says, “The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.” Infants are born in a safe condition.

We will each be judged based on what we have done, not based on how anyone else has lived. 2 Corinthians 5:10 says, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”

Secondly, infants do not have any sin of their own. 1 John 3:4 says, “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.”

Since “sin is the transgression of the law”, if a baby is guilty of sin, what law have they transgressed, or which law are they even capable of transgressing or even understanding? Clearly, a baby has transgressed no law!

Finally, baptism in the New Testament is preceded by belief and repentance. (Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38)

In Acts 8, the eunuch asked, “…What hinders me from being baptized?” (verse 36) The answer was, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” (verse 37)

An infant is not able to believe, therefore, they are not scriptural candidates for baptism.

An infant has no personal or inherited sin (guilt), so they do not need baptism. Also, since they do hot have the capacity to believe and repent (and they have nothing to repent of), they do not meet the requirements in order that they may be baptized.

Answer 3

I am not "against" it. I know that it is tradition in many religions, however, it does not guarantee that infant will go to heaven. Many believe that by infant baptism it is a guarantee into heaven.

It is important that when a child has reached the age of consent (when they can distinguish right from wrong and realizes that they have a choice to make regarding accepting christ or not) that they accept Jesus as their savior and follow Him in baptism. It is all about personal choice.

I think that many religious rituals can be followed, however, they are usually just that - rituals made by rules and regulations of man of how to worship or please God. These rituals are not necessarily God mandated.

I don't see anywhere in the bible where you are to baptise infants. It may be in the catholic bible or lutheran faith but not in the bible. I think infant baptism, personally, is a lovely ritual and I know it is very important in some faiths. But remember what I said earlier - it is not a shoe-in to getting into heaven.

Answer 4

My family is catholic and alot of them are against it, I kind of agree because baptism supposedly is a symbol of you being born again from a life of sin or being away from Jesus. An infant has not committed any sins and can't comprehend what a christian life is, catholics really do this for the rest of the family and the ceremony, it has nothing to do with the child... Infant baptism is really just about making sure this new life is branded catholic as quickly as possible.

Answer 5

The fact is, being Baptized does not make someone belong to God. It is an outward sign of the inward relationship with Jesus Christ. It is the symbolism of having the sinful man buried and you are risen to walk in a new life as a new creation. There is nothing magical about the water or the act. It is a symbol. Therefore, that baby cannot make the choice at that point, so they cannot really have had that experience to merit the baptism. It isn't a sin to baptize a baby, but it just isn't logical or even needed.

Answer 6

I don't like infant baptism because God gaves us a free will, when you are a baby you can't rightly decide if you want to give yourself to God or not. Baptism is done in the BIble when you are old enough to decide for yourself.

Now the Bible does talk about dedication of an infant being good, which is basically promising to raise your child as best you know how in God's commandments and love in front of witnesses.

Answer 7

The original Jewish tradition was to not consider a person as being old enough to be judged until they were an adult (after their 13 birthday celebration).

The idea of infant baptism is directly related to the idea of criminalizing birth control.

Answer 8

One cannot oppose infant baptism's validity and propriety and remain Catholic
Most Non Denom Protestants that i know are baptistic or pentecostal
If Original Sin is real and if Grace is real then infant baptism is most logical and necessary.

Answer 9

Well first off, i believe that baptism as an infant is wrong because how is a little baby supposed to know whats right and whats wrong? Also, catholics do it wrong anyways.. We are all supposed to be baptized in the name of JESUS CHRIST for the REMISSION OF SIN.. Many verses talk about this..

Acts 2:38 "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall recieve the gift of the holy spirit"
Right here it is clearly stating to baptize in the name of Jesus Christ, and to repent. How can an infant repent? They have no knowledge whatsoever to repent.

Matthew 3:11 "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but HE THAT COMETH AFTER ME IS MIGHTIER THAN I, WHOSE SHOES I AM NOT WORTHY to bear: he shall baptize you with THE HOLY GHOST AND WITH FIRE"

we have to understand that being baptized in the name of the father, the son and the holy spirit does not give us the gift of the Holy Spirit. and yes Johns baptism was unto repentance, but NOT THE REMISSION OF SINS...and in John 3:5 it says "Verily Verily I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water AND OF THE SPIRIT, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."

Im gunna start another question topic about this...go check it out

Answer 10

Catholics are not against infant baptism. That's exactly how we do it.