My wife had my daughter christened against my wishes. I am Baptist and she is Catholic and I am against child baptistism. As I understand it the church was suppose to have my consent to do so but my wife lied about my wishes. According to the Catholic faith how does this play out, does it cound in the eyes of the church?
In my eyes it doesn't mean squat but I would like to hear a Catholic's take on this.
2007-12-12 19:15:01 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I'm a Catholic. I don't know Church policy on this, but it's definitely worth speaking about with the priest who did the baptism. Make it clear that the rite was done against your wishes. He can give you more details from there. Of course, if it's already been done, then you can't undo it. The child won't remember it, and if you don't honor this particular rite, then in your eyes, it'll have no effectiveness one way or another. However, having a child baptized against a spouse's wishes is a fairly serious act of deception, and I can't imagine that it would be condoned by the Church.
2007-12-12 19:33:49 · answer #1 · answered by solarius 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You are actually entitled to a religion in which you are to respect and follow because of baptism. I see you're point that you have matured your mentality about this religion. A religion is not really something to look up too much and make it something that would control you. It's purpose is just to guide you to do good things and uplift morality in accordance with a model(like a god). I have nothing against Christianity because I am a Christian myself but I believe that everything just depends on how you live your life with or without a religion. If you believe that your children can live a good life filled with goodness, principles and values despite of having religion, then so be it. Don't just let your children be Christened just because of tradition or whatsoever. Be serious of this sacrament, this is a sacred act that we Christians respect. We are all entitled to our beliefs(be it in a form of religion) and we should all respect it. In the end, it's all just up to you on what you stand for and feel on what would be the best for your children.
2016-05-23 08:29:50 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
a real baptism would naturally be up to the child.
baptism isn't a magic spell that protects children from hell.
it is the outward expression that one is ready to devote his or herself to the service of the lord, wholly. it is an oath taken between the baptized and the lord
According to scripture, jesus was not baptized until he was in his thirties. imagine, the son of god not prepared to serve his father fully until he was 30, and even then he struggled with temptation.
i am not a chrisian but i have read the bible numerous times and the catholic system doesn't mean squat when it comes to the teachings in the bible.
usually i'd be bashing you for being christian, but, it's your kid, so you need to be very careful about entering into agreements with "God" on behalf of a child who probably won't be able to keep his part.
i think it's quite sad when a 10 year old thinks they're "ready" to be baptized. 97% of all christians don't even know what it means.
2007-12-12 19:28:22 · answer #3 · answered by eelai000 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Christening and baptism are different, so I assume you mean baptism.
I allowed my ex to baptize both of our kids, but in one instance I had to sign something and the other time I spoke directly with the priest. If you're REALLY opposed to it, you could call the church and speak with the clergy about your objections.
It probably means a LOT to your wife because there are some strange beliefs in the Catholic religion, like that babies who die w/o being baptized end up in Limbo (meaning they aren't in Heaven or Hell but just in between). Can you find it in your heart to allow this baptism?
2007-12-12 19:25:36 · answer #4 · answered by 1M9 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
a christening is not the same as being baptized. In the Catholic church one gets baptized as an infant as a symbol of being welcomed into Christ's family and it's a way for the Church to show it's commitment to their upbringing. it wouldn't be prudent to go into why infant baptisims are done because your denomination is different but in the catholic church, as the child grows up and is developing their relationship with Jesus, they go through confirmation and at the end of which the bishop lays his hands upon them and basically does a second baptism but this time it's more like the believers baptism except without water. The important thing in all of this is raising the child to love the Lord but nothing can come of harm by baptising a child..........John the baptist even said he baptises of water but that Jesus was coming who was greater than him who would baptise of spirit and of fire......so water baptism is really important and is biblically asked of us but discentions between denominations over whether its an infant baptism or adult baptism are rather missing the big point.
2007-12-12 19:23:39 · answer #5 · answered by bastian915 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
it is irrelevant that your daughter is christened as a child...she has no concept or knowledge of god and could not make the decision to follow the bible herself....but your wife has a different idea on this to your beliefs, and in her beliefs she thought she was doing the right thing by her church/beliefs/child. Neither you nor your wife can make that decision for your child.....only the child has the right to decide to follow god in due time....but you and your wife seriously need to sit down and discuss the raising of the said child, as your views are opposing ones....either view not necessarily right though, you will have to talk to your wife to ensure that joint decisions are made in respects of her upbringing or else there is going to be an issue of trust that is going to drive you apart...and in that situation....nobody wins....work it out with her.
2007-12-12 19:34:06 · answer #6 · answered by jasmine d 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
In the eyes of the Catholic church--your child is catholic. This used to go on in the middle ages and that was the verdict. I don't think the position has changed.
2007-12-12 19:20:08 · answer #7 · answered by Todd 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Christening or infant baptism is a practice that is NOT supported by the truth according to the Bible.
Rather , Baptisms are meant to be for adults who have come to the knowledge of truth and have decided to dedicate their lives to God.
Therefore , a baptism or anything similar of a child is viewed as nothing in Gods eyes.
For more Bible based info please feel free to email me.
2007-12-12 20:09:07 · answer #8 · answered by I♥U 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If the child was baptized then what's done is done...it can't be taken back. Your wife should probably have come to a mutual agreement about this, but being a Catholic I can see why she would want it so badly. That doesn't excuse her, but I can understand it.
2007-12-12 19:23:28 · answer #9 · answered by Some Guy 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
it amazes me that there are those who feel that a 'baptism' performed via false pretenses could EVER be considered 'valid' by any faith...i guess to some, it's all about the ritual! i would say that your wife needs to work out her lying with God, and the two of you need to get some marital counseling...as for the child, all she got was a wet head anyway...
2007-12-12 19:55:35 · answer #10 · answered by spike missing debra m 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋