I'm 25, have no children yet, but here's a question. When I do have a child, I'm not sure that I would have him/her baptized. I don't go to church, I'm agnostic. I was raised Christian, and though i know it would be my fiance's and my choice, I don't want to hurt my parents. What would you do?
2007-12-22 04:30:14 · 15 answers · asked by Jen due December 09 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Come on, guys. I do think for myself. I'm a successful 25 year old living on my own. I have my own beliefs. I believe that my future child should come to his/her own decision about religion. my parents are not overbearing at all. I was curious what others thought. I was not going to pick an answer and say--"that's the one! I'll follow that answer!" Thanks for your kindness.
2007-12-22 04:47:28 · update #1
The child is your responsibility, not your parents'. The decision for baptism is between you and God. Do baptise your future child.
God bless and Merry Christmas.
2007-12-22 04:40:18 · answer #1 · answered by Danny H 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the answer really depends on how you going to raise your child. You've already indicated that you don't want to teach them anything about Christianity, allowing them to "make their own choice" above the age of reason. However, the implication when you baptize an infant is that you will will not only teach the child Christianity, but you will practice its tenets yourself. Therefore there is no point in baptism at all for your child if they will not be raised in the fear of the Lord. Baptism is not insurance.
2007-12-23 02:07:40 · answer #2 · answered by ccrider 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are 5 steps to becoming a Christian. Hear the word, Believe the word, repent of your sins, confess Jesus as Lord before men, and be buried with Christ in baptism. This is a command from God. We have no choice in the matter if we want to get to heaven. We may choose not to obey God's commands. As to any children you may have, they are to be brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. They are to be taught the truth and when they get old enough to know the difference between right and wrong and fully understand what they are to do, then they must decide on their own when to be baptized. Babies have no sin, neither do young children, so baptism for them is not required. Baptism is the final step which puts us in Christ and without doing all of these commandments we will have no remission of sin.
2007-12-22 06:00:07 · answer #3 · answered by Denise M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Christian baptism is an outward symbol that the one being has made complete,unreserved ,and unconditional dedication to do the will of Jehovah God.Jesus was not a child when he was baptized. Matt 28:19 refers to making deciples---Acts8:12 refers to men and women. Origen[185-254 C.E.] It is the CUSTOM of the church that baptism be administered even to infants.the practice was unknown in the first century it became recognised as an apostolic tradition in the third century.
2007-12-22 04:55:11 · answer #4 · answered by oatesmokid 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You must always obey what God has said to you, over what others might think is right thru their "traditions".
Water baptism was a requirement for the Nation Israel, but OUR baptism is not with water. We have the baptism of Eph. 4:5 and it has nothing to do with water at all.
If you are an agnostic...why would you even be dealing with this issue? Your parents are already "hurt" that you have turned away from God. I don't think this will hurt them any more, do you?
2007-12-22 04:39:41 · answer #5 · answered by goinupru 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think i would take a close look at what baptism really is. it does not save you. all it is is a public testimony that you believe that Jesus died for your sins, that is when they lay you in the water, then he rose again, that is when they lift you up out of the water. it is not right to make your child get baptized until they Believe what Christ has done for the, if you do baptize them when they are infants they might think that is what saves them, then they may never see a reason to accept Christ. the thief on the cross got to heaven without being baptized.
2007-12-22 04:38:33 · answer #6 · answered by 777 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Infant baptism is just a ritual with no spiritual significance whatsoever, so it really doesn't matter if you do it or not. Raising the child in a home where he/she has the opportunity to learn about God and make their own decision about the way they accept or reject him is more important than getting them wet as a baby.
2007-12-22 04:37:54 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't believe getting a baby wet does them any good... even assuming religion to be a good thing, it must be a person's choice, not something forced on them.
I'd let me parents know that, and let the child make their own choice when they can understand what they are doing.
2007-12-22 04:40:14 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you don't want to hurt your parents ? Let me ask you.. you're 25 years old....when are you planning on being your own person? you are 25 ..you are a quarter of a century in age... when will you live your own beliefs , will it be only after accumulating enough regret for having done everything everybody else's way FIRST? and are you going to put this guilt and ambivilence into your child too.? listen to yourself ...plus you are here asking other people what is a purely a personal decison... why? are you afraid to think for yourself? must be that guilt those parents have built up in you
2007-12-22 04:43:25 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
I am an atheist and I won't baptise my children either. If your parents wanted you to put a clove of garlic around your child's neck to ward off vampires would you take that request seriously? Give me a break!
2007-12-22 04:36:52 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋