Children don't have to be baptized. In fact I disagree with infant baptism. Baptism is an outward showing of faith done at a time when one has the capacity to make such a choice.

All the best,

Baptism is to wash away original sin....then at seven you make your first communion and as a teen you get confirmed into the church as an adult....That's how it works.......

At least, that's how the Catholics would like you to think that it works.

How can splashing a little water on someone have any effect at all, unless they understand enough to make a commitment (which is what I was saying in my last post)

Its about the blessing from the priest and the welcoming of the child into the catholic faith the cleansing with the water is to wash away original sin. You do make a true commitment to the church as a teen until then you are prepared for it from baptism on....I didn't think it was that confusing but ok

I know where you're coming from Bacca, i just feel that it is not a necessary part of faith. Baptism, no baptism - whatever. Baptism serves a purpose, but if I have no faith/trust/belief in God, then what good does it serve? Absolutely none. That's just the way I see it.

All the best,

So you don't think that children can be blessed by a holy person before they have the knowledge to decide on things for themselves? You don't think that your God watches over children, those who's parents ask him for it anyway?

Your reading things into my post that aren't there. I made no mention of God not watching over children.

What I said was that baptism is useless in itself if the person who is being baptized has no belief either way of the matter. And yes, a Holy Person (what is a holy person anyway?) blessing a child is utterly pointless.

Edit - by Holy person, I know you mean a priest, but I'm looking at a more general definition...... why is a priest "holy" and not anyone else?

Looking at baptism from the Catholic stand point priests are considered holy men....or would you not consider someone like the pope, the bishops, to be holy?
And the children are cleansed and brought into the faith, and no they can't make that choice for themselves that's why their parents make the choice as children then they re-affirm it as teenagers or adults. It's just that particular faiths way of having children brought into the church and then educated on the faith thru CCD classes, first communions, confession, and confirmation.....Its the parents asking God to watch over and protect their child. Catholics believe without that their child may not be protected by washing away the original sin and all

The word Holy (Meaning scared, or Hallowed)

It's just old tap water, with a few mumble, jumble, the water from the tap becomes Holy

water, then spinkling where ever it supppose to go?

Nanilee2002

I'd intended to let this go, but since the thread has been ressurected.....

Priests are no more holy than any other believer. Indeed some are even less so.......

Regards, PA

My daughter is not baptised and I don't think she will go to Hell because of this. she will baptised in a summersion of water after she is saved if she wishes.

Jesus knew he came to earth for a purpose... A wife wasn't part of that purpose....

Just my humble opinion...

LBD

So he wasn't capable of falling in love? or he would choose not to for what? what difference would a wife make to you or anyone else?


As for baptism I'm tending to go with PA as to thinking this thread was gone but to respond....if preachers, priests etc aren't holy and all then do you not turn to others who may have more information then you? who may be more able to commune with the lord? sorry i think the whole idea is strange i'm just looking for your thinking here

Having greater knowledge of something does not make one more "holy". It just means they know a little more about a subject. It's good to talk to them and pick their brains, but that does not give them the authority to speak to the Lord on my behalf, or to tell you what to do. They cannot commune with God better than I can. Does this make sense.

Regards, PA

Perfect at least now I know where you are coming from right

All catholicism is, is a more complicated version of Christianity, just filled with countless rituals and what not. I'm a non-denomenational Christian by the way. I also don't believe you need a boring preist who probably barely knows about the bible and its teachings. I believe that you must ask someone who has been touched by the holy spirit for guidence on the holy book.

And I believe that most churchs have no purpose today. You don't really praise god there anymore, you just sit for an hour and listen to a guy tell you to read the bible and tell you stories from the bible.

If you want to worship god, just do it anywhere, in the shower, while watching TV, even while reading this. OR go to a church where everyone is energetic and the word of god is being preached, not just the bible.

I agree you can worship God anywhere. And he is a good God.

Good post StalingradK. Indeed you can worship God anywhere. Though I disagree that church has no purpose. The reason I go to church is not primarily for Bible teaching (though I do go for this too). I go to fellowship with believers. To encourage one another. Build one another up. Grow in faith and love together as a community of Christ.

That's my thoughts on the matter.

Regards,

PA why are we worshiping "God" again??? namaste Sheri

I'm not saying church is pointless, I'm saying the one where you sit down and just listen to someone talk about how good the bible is pointless. If you ask me, there is no better church than a Baptis Church

Because He is worthy of worship

Why are we having this conversation again?

Regards, PA

PA All religons are based on fear and the worship of God, you have said over and over that may be the case but it doesn't apply to you !!Why are you worshipping God?? Why do you think "HE" is worthy of worship? thanks Namaste Sheri

Actually Sheri I have never said religion is based on fear. Your interpretation is that it is based on fear. But then I guess it depends on our definitions of religion. My definition is not your definition and so we argue. Religion as in an organization may very well be based on fear (that's how the Catholic church started). But religion as in faith in God; religion as in doing good to others; this is in no way, shape or form based on fear. The biblical definition of religion is feeding the hungry and clothing the needy (in other words doing good to others). Tell me Sheri, how can this be fear?

Regards, PA