Baptism and hypocritacle "atheists"

[matthewr88]

Hey all,

I've got a couple of friends who are having their two daughters baptised on Easter Sunday at their local Catholic church. Now the female in this relationship openly admitted that she "doesn't believe in all that god crap", but is getting her kids baptised "just in case". Just in case they end up in limbo for a sin they had no part in, or choice in committing. If you don't believe it, then why is it necessary to hedge your bets? My wife had the same issue stating she couldn't forgive herself if it turned out those wack jobs were actually correct. She was also under pressure from relatives to get our son baptised. After I pointed out what is suggested to happen to innocent children by these twisted fucks lest they be anointed she agreed that hedging your bets is cowardly, and lacks commitment. She told her relatives that I was dead against it, but this didn't deter them. I was, of course, questioned as to my reasoning. I myself am an unbaptised heathen as my parents had the forethought to allow me and my brother to make our own choices. I want my kids to have that same opportunity. The fact that this means they will very likely be atheists is not displeasing in the slightest ;-). If I had my kids baptised despite my atheism and my kids became atheists when they reach the age of reason they would no doubt ask me why they had been baptised. At that point the only reason I would be able think of is so everyone can have a right royal piss up. Having been sober for 9 years that shit don't cut it with me. So I told them, if you want a piss up have one, but not at the expense of my children.

"What if there is a hell and, god forbid, I've of your kids end up there"

My reply?

If there is a hell they better send me there. Because if I get into heaven I'll burn the place to the ground.

Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk

[Feck]

Meh it's just branding ... it doesn't even entitle you to a free funeral (like masonic tattoos do )

[Bella Fortuna]

Perfect example of Pascal's wager.

[Thinking Aloud]

If the mother is a deconversion from a previous theistic position then it's possible the superstition runs very deep. I had the same problem. I was brought up Catholic, and even though I'd dismissed most of the dogma by the time my first child was born, the fears ran deep. (See this post.) By the time number two came along, we just treated it as a "community welcome" tradition - and an excuse for a family get-together, since our families are distant. And you can't make a promise to a thing that doesn't exist!

Neither of them believe in god at the moment - both also know that their parents used to believe, and if they ask why they were baptised I'm quite happy to tell them that I was the victim of mental conditioning!

[klr]

There's a theory that much of the pressure to get kids baptised, etc. comes from the grandparents. In many cases, the parents are just bowing to pressure, or deciding not to rock the boat.

[maiforpeace]

There's a theory that much of the pressure to get kids baptised, etc. comes from the grandparents. In many cases, the parents are just bowing to pressure, or deciding not to rock the boat.

Exactly.

My cousin let her daughter be baptized to appease the grandparents. She didn't care as long as she wasn't expected to pay for any of the baptismal expenses. (that word is so close to dismal. )

[Bella Fortuna]

Bapdismal.

[klr]

Bapdismal.

[Bella Fortuna]

Everybody do the Bapdismal Flaunt!

[maiforpeace]

Bapdismal.

That's exactly what poor little Moon must have been thinking when she found her hair all matted with oil after that stupid ceremony.

[klr]

That reminds me ... my "god-daughter" should be having her first holy communion this year.

The advantages of living at some remove from one's family. I'll just be unavailable on the day, and deliver the expected presents later.

[maiforpeace]

That reminds me ... my "god-daughter" should be having her first holy communion this year.

The advantages of living at some remove from one's family. I'll just be unavailable on the day, and deliver the expected presents later.

Having to watch the whole thing in French made it slightly more tolerable...but not much. Luckily it was a pretty little church so I had something to look at at least.

[Tero]

I got baptismalized, I have a picture. But the wife and kids are not so we got two generations going here on the new continent.

[HomerJay]

I thought people gave this shit up long ago, I wasn't baptised and I've never been to one.

I don't think it's just atheists - most christians moved away from this too, I thought?

[klr]

That reminds me ... my "god-daughter" should be having her first holy communion this year.

The advantages of living at some remove from one's family. I'll just be unavailable on the day, and deliver the expected presents later.

Having to watch the whole thing in French made it slightly more tolerable...but not much. Luckily it was a pretty little church so I had something to look at at least.

The priest that baptised my god-daughter is also an uncle of her mother (one of my sisters in law). In fact, he's been around the block so long, he also baptized me.

So, much as I'd like to speak my mind during this voodoo, I couldn't do so without causing major offence to all and sundry.

I thought people gave this shit up long ago, I wasn't baptised and I've never been to one.

I don't think it's just atheists - most christians moved away from this too, I thought?

If you're not baptized, you're not coming in the door.