Is it unfair to baptize children?

@howhigh (757)
Canada
April 27, 2007 11:55am CST
I suppose it isn't especially binding but its a very religious ceremony without their consent. I'm not mad at my parents for baptizing me even though i'm agnostic but it is a bit presumptious.
2 responses
@mahmah (436)
• United States
27 Apr 07
My personal beliefs about baptism, confirmation etc should be the choice of the child. I think the child should be exposed to some sort of religion so that it can make this decision their selves. Religion is very important to people and that said, they should get to choose how they want "serve the higher power(s)". This is just my opinion. Oh and just to add, I was baptized and had my confirmation, and I am also not angry with my parents decision making ability.
1 person likes this
@Nickiek (86)
• United States
27 Apr 07
I believe that baptism is a personal decision that each should make for themselves. Jesus himself wasn't baptized until he was 30 or so. It implies consent, free will and personal choice. I believe that children don't need to be baptised because they have not yet reached the age of accountability. Even the practice of dedicating your child to god in a christening or something like that isn't really gonna cut it. The only thing I did special with my girls after they were born was have a presenting of them in church, and promised to raise them up as God would have me do. So that when the time came they would be able to make that choice for themselves.
@howhigh (757)
• Canada
27 Apr 07
I would go further and say you aren';t really "baptized" until it was under your consent or because you wanted to. How could someone else pledge on my behalf for a religion? I think what you did with your girls was very fair and always pretty special to honor them like that in front of the congragation