Should religious beliefs prevent you from attending your grandchildren's batptism?

Question

My Stepmother is Protestant and is refusing to go to her grandchildren's catholic baptism. She disagrees with the theory behind the ceremony that those who are not baptized won't go to heaven. What do you think is more important - supporting her stepdaughter and family or supporting this belief. I think that she should still attend. She can still maintain her beliefs, that doesn't mean she can't attend, right? wrong?

Answer 1

But if she attends that baptism, in essence, she's condoning Catholicism.

Answer 2

I can see it from both sides. She could attend to be nice.That would be the family-friendly thing to do. But then again. If she goes it gives the impression she agrees. Or worse, that any and all religions are just grand. My family growing up wouldn't attend a Catholic(and many other religions) baptism,wedding,etc.Family or not, we didn't go. They felt it was a compromise to their Christian faith. They were often included in the after ceremony events. That helped my parents feel apart of things w/o compromising. That is what you should do. Don't ask someone to choice between their faith and family. That's just wrong! Besides, that will cause a rift that will last possibly forever. God wouldn't want that. Believe me, you don't either. Good Luck!!!!!!!!

Answer 3

it was things like this that made me leave the church
I was told I couldn't attend a long term family friends Catholic funeral

however I would like to point out that the limbo thing has recently been removed by the Catholic church
so she no longer has that argument to use

a Grandchild is a Grandchild no matter what faith

it is all disgusting nonsense

edit
In 1992, Pope John Paul II had Limbo removed from the catechism and both Pope John Paul and Pope Benedict XVI urged further study on the concept. In April 2007 Pope Benedict XVI approved the findings of a report by the International Theological Commission, a Vatican advisory body, which found grounds that the souls of unbaptised children would go to heaven, thus revising traditional teaching on Limbo.

Answer 4

Is it a baptism or a christening?

Anyways, why get into an argument about such a minor detail? I'm sure it's a hard line for some. On the one hand is your family and on the other hand there's God. Who's more important to you?

All the same, your choices are yours alone. Being family she should support them if she loves them. Even though it's a difference of religion, some things are just more important.

Answer 5

I think you're right.

I disagree with that theory too, and it really upsets me when the priest says it, but I try to look at the Baptism as a welcoming ceremony for the child. If I love the child and the parents I should go to the ceremony.

I guess I look at it this way: being baptised won't hurt the child in any way. When the child is older he/she can look at Catholicism and decide what he/she believes. Being baptised doesn't stop the child from making his/her own decisions as a grown up.

Answer 6

She has a right to choose. If she prefers not to attend the ceremony because it is Catholic, that is her privilege, whether she does so because she objects to the Catholic view of baptism or because she is allergic to the incense they burn or because she does not wish to cover her hair as Cathoic churches prefer.

Essentially, the baptism is important to those to whom the religious import matters: the appointment of godparents, and so on.

If you consider the baptism as a social or family gathering, she can choose to visit before or after the ceremony to meet and greet, without offending her own ethical position.

I am not going to judge anyone for choosing not to attend a religious ceremony not their own, especially when (as apparantly she does) they feel strongly that it violates their own religious or personal ethics She can support her stepdaughter and family in many other ways.

Answer 7

She is selfish and very un-Catholic.

I am a non-believer and I attend services with my friends and family members. It is a sign of respect. My nose has never fallen off because I attended a church and listened to the service, enjoyed the music and ritual. Doesn't make me a believer. I'm the same person when I walk out as I was when I entered.

She seems like the kind of person where everything is "always about her" and she doesn't consider others feelings or opinions.

Too bad.

Answer 8

The denomination I attend does not baptist children. We wait till the child states he/she beliefs in God and want to accept Christian faith before Baptism. It is a very strong teaching in our Church. I would go to her and tell without judging her beliefs how her refusal would hurt the feeling in her family. I could not agree with the ceremony but I would still attend to support my family.

Answer 9

I am in this position myself. I am a Protestant Christian married to a Greek Orthodox. My Grand children have all been baptized in the Orthodox Church as infants.
As an evangelical Christian, I do not agree with infant baptism. I don't "like" even entering their churches. It is very disturbing for me to attend these baptisms, but I would not disappoint my Step-daughter. She wants me to be there and would be very hurt if I chose not too.
I choose to go to support her, even though I don't support their beliefs. We have many different beliefs as do Catholics, Protestants and Orthodox, but we all believe in the same Jesus Christ and his desire that we love one another and be united as one believing body.
Blessings
Kait

Answer 10

We have had this issue for several generations in my family. This is my take on it...I am atheist. That is my choice as an adult. When my nieces and nephews are getting their heads dunked where do you think I am? You better believe I am there with a smile and a camera. Why? Because they are more important to me then anything. Supporting them and my siblings is what is important. The fact that grandma can't overlook the differences in two CHRISTIAN religions is pathetic. Completely pathetic. She is a control freak who thinks she can change the situation by her presence (or lack of). I say write her off and go on with what you think is right for you and your children.

Answer 11

She should attend. You should try to explain to her that it is not absolutely cementing the child's commitment to Catholicism. Explain the concept of Confirmation and give her the chance to take the children to her church. Why should the child not get the best of both worlds? I was raised Catholic and my babysitter took me to her Protestant church all the time. I am glad of the experiences. And my Catholic parents had no problem with it. But heaven forbid children born into any religion ever experience any other lest they might think for themselves one day.