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No

Only Judeism

Only Islam

Yes to both Judeism and Islam

[Helgoland]

Well, they are.

Also, at least where I live that usage would be very misleading - around here the Irishman's interpretation is the prevalent one.
Relax, I'm just teasing you.

[penguinofhonor]

I'll identify as a dumbass atheist.

I'm certain there's no god. I think that given my experiences and the information available to me now, I've come to the most reasonable position. I have not been given any serious reason to doubt this position. I don't think my viewpoint is superior to anyone else's though - everyone should come to their own conclusion.

[Descan]

I'm probably more "gnostic" than agnostic atheist, but as I've said before, I come at it from a different way.

I don't know if there is or is not a deity or creator or anything like that, but I DO know that, if there is, he's not worthy of worship in any form or fashion, given the crap she has done to us and the world. They're a cock, and I want to kick it in the nuts or nut-like equivalent.

So basically, I'm gnostic atheist in regards to a good god, i.e. almost every religions god and/or gods. Blind-idiot god, or actively harmful one, I'm agnostic about, but I lean towards "probably not."

[Orange Wizard]

Code: [Select]

[color=transparent]Relax, I'm just teasing you.[/color]


...

Anyway, I'd like to ask everyone what your opinions on baptism are. Specifically regarding baptising children/infants as opposed to waiting for them to grow up and decide for themselves.

[Cryxis, Prince of Doom]

I don't believe in baptizing someone before they are of an age of understanding it.
They need to know what is happening. Though before that age they are basicaly given a free ride to heaven if they die. BASICALLY

Baptism isn't salvation though, it's just an "outward showing of an inward reality" as my church says.
It's basically just publicly announcing your salvation to everyone, not just the church since anyone in the community can go and watch.

[smjjames]

I don't believe in baptizing someone before they are of an age of understanding it.
They need to know what is happening. Though before that age they are basicaly given a free ride to heaven if they die. BASICALLY

Baptism isn't salvation though, it's just an "outward showing of an inward reality" as my church says.
It's basically just publicly announcing your salvation to everyone, not just the church since anyone in the community can go and watch.

At what age would you consider being of an age able to understand it? If one were to say full brain maturity, it'd have to be age 24 or something.

[Cryxis, Prince of Doom]

I don't believe in baptizing someone before they are of an age of understanding it.
They need to know what is happening. Though before that age they are basicaly given a free ride to heaven if they die. BASICALLY

Baptism isn't salvation though, it's just an "outward showing of an inward reality" as my church says.
It's basically just publicly announcing your salvation to everyone, not just the church since anyone in the community can go and watch.

At what age would you consider being of an age able to understand it? If one were to say full brain maturity, it'd have to be age 24 or something.

Changes from person to person

Basicaly if you can be read something and give a respons back that is inteligable you're probably good
Even a nod would count though verbally answering is best

[Cheeetar]

Do you see any parallel between consent to being baptised and other ages of consent (sexual relationships etc.), Cryxis? If they're different, why?

[TheDarkStar]

In my church, we believe that baptism (and the age of accountability) occurs at 8, although people with mental disorders are except from the need for baptism (and any of a bunch of similar things). We also believe that infant baptism is morally reprehensible.

[smjjames]

In my church, we believe that baptism (and the age of accountability) occurs at 8, although people with mental disorders are except from the need for baptism (and any of a bunch of similar things). We also believe that infant baptism is morally reprehensible.

Why morally reprehensible?

[Helgoland]

We also believe that infant baptism is morally reprehensible.

In Catholicism it is exactly opposite: Since baptism is needed for salvation (at least that's the traditional interpretation), a child must be baptised as soon as possible in case something happens to it. This was especially relevant in the days of high infant mortality: Weak children were baptised with great urgency to make sure they'd be saved, and anything less than that would be a humonguously immoral act towards the child, namely denying it eternal life.

[Ultimuh]

As far as my family sees it. Baptism should occur whenever a person feels ready, knowing well what it means.
Can be at any age, from teens to some time during adulthood or later. Things work a bit differently back home in Greenland.
Never have I met an intolerant christian in the town I grew up in.

[Arcvasti]

We also believe that infant baptism is morally reprehensible.

In Catholicism it is exactly opposite: Since baptism is needed for salvation (at least that's the traditional interpretation), a child must be baptised as soon as possible in case something happens to it. This was especially relevant in the days of high infant mortality: Weak children were baptised with great urgency to make sure they'd be saved, and anything less than that would be a humonguously immoral act towards the child, namely denying it eternal life.

^This. Baptism is done as quickly as possible and the child is given the CHOICE of whether or not to continue down the path of the religion later, at Confirmation[Or before.]. There's a large difference between the two. During Baptism, your guardian is asked permission. During Confirmation, YOU are asked permission. And you could technically say no[Although usually, if you don't want to be Confirmed, you don't go through with the thing anyways. I always wondered what would happen if the priest asked "Do you reject Satan and all his works?" and they said "Nope".]. People who join the church later have both at once, since the dual ceremonies are not necessary for someone who wasn't Baptized as a child.

[Bouchart]

As far as my family sees it. Baptism should occur whenever a person feels ready, knowing well what it means.
Can be at any age, from teens to some time during adulthood or later. Things work a bit differently back home in Greenland.

That's the conventional Protestant viewpoint on baptism.  It's basically a public expression of faith.  There were no infants baptized in the Bible.  Also, since Jesus was baptized, it's hard to say that baptism is necessary for salvation.  Then there was the thief on the cross, who was not baptized and yet was saved. 

[TheDarkStar]

We also believe that infant baptism is morally reprehensible.

In Catholicism it is exactly opposite: Since baptism is needed for salvation (at least that's the traditional interpretation), a child must be baptised as soon as possible in case something happens to it. This was especially relevant in the days of high infant mortality: Weak children were baptised with great urgency to make sure they'd be saved, and anything less than that would be a humonguously immoral act towards the child, namely denying it eternal life.

The idea in my church is that baptism is part of formally entering the church, and that children who die before eight years old are saved automatically.

Also, yes, I've seen eight-year-olds decide not to get baptized before, even if their family wants them to.