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Post by supermommy on Jul 26, 2012 6:52:17 GMT -6
This is where I differ...I don't think children should be baptized at all. I think that should be a choice that comes later in life when they are ready to make a commitment to a religion or God. I also don't think church shows a child to have faith...parents do. My children are not baptized and will not attend a church unless they one day are old enough to want to on their own. However....when they are older than they are now I will instill them with the knowledge of all different kinds of faith.
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Post by dara1012 on Jul 26, 2012 7:44:47 GMT -6
Super- I don't understand why don't think children should be baptized. Baptism is the parent's promise to teach their children about Jesus and God. To me that doesn't just mean a promise to bring them to church, but a promise to help teach them about different religions, the religion of their family of origin and answer their questions about faith. Confirmation is the opportunity for the child to confirm their parent's baptismal vows. So confirmation is the time for the child to decide what they believe after their parents have given them the opportunity to learn and grow in that faith and learn.
I really struggle when I see parents send their kids to confirmation classes and expect that they will automatically choose to be confirmed. To me the child needs to be the one making the decision (in my church this happens in high school) without pressure from their family or other members of the church. I was really fortunate that my parents made the decision 100% up to me when it came to my confirmation.
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Post by supermommy on Jul 26, 2012 7:47:44 GMT -6
We will just agree to disagree :-) I don't want to go into it farther than religion is a choice completely. I don't think you need to baptize to make a promise either. To me it is solely for the parents not the child.
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Post by nevaehsmom327 on Jul 26, 2012 7:59:52 GMT -6
I believe in God. The Christian God...the one out of the bible...king james blah blah blah. Why do I? Growing up we went to church, sometimes. But at 11 years old, my dad, a pastor of all people, died. I was so mad at God for taking him out of my life that I did not believe anymore. I didn't believe someone could be that cruel. Fast forward 11-12 years. After getting pregnant at 17, getting into drugs, violence, the wrong friends, not having any stability in my life, some of which was shared in my days on MomsLikeMe, someone led me to God. Someone who saw my downfall led me to a church I still call home. A God I love, cherish and treasure. God has turned my life around and in the last two years I found the man of my dreams, we got married, we bought a home, we are having a baby and we are very VERY happy with where we are with a strong eagerness to do Gods will and share his word and most of all LOVE.
Why are "Christians" so pushy when it comes to being a "Christian"? Because God calls us to be. Many times throughout the bible Jesus tells us to "GO" and spread the good word. To tell others of his great works. If that person does not want to believe or be a part of it, that is their choice, their will and a true and real "Christian" would not judge that person based on what they want their beliefs to be.
Personally, I believe everyone is entitled to their own beliefs, choices and religions. Luckily we live in a country where we have those freedoms.
I don't by any means think that someone having a different belief or religion that I have or not believing in God at all makes them a bad or mean person. I'm with Jo on this one, there are bad everythings out there, in all religions. I think it's up to each individual to be a good person no matter what you believe in.
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Post by dara1012 on Jul 26, 2012 8:02:33 GMT -6
I was just trying to understand where you were coming from. I don't think that baptism is necessary for parents to teach their children about faith or religion. I also don't agree with the people who think that children need to be baptized in order to go to heaven which I know some people think. When I read what you had first posted it seemed that you were confusing baptism with confirmation, but I don't know how all the different religions and denominations handle confirmation so maybe in your tradition it is not the same as mine in regards to confirmation.
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Post by supermommy on Jul 26, 2012 8:10:57 GMT -6
nope I know what each one is. Like I said I think all things religious should be a choice. I had plenty of friends who thought they knew what they believed but it was only what their parents told them to or their pastor because they were forced into a church. They all also had a lot of issues with their religion as they got older and became confused. I want to avoid that all together. Again this is only my feelings and thoughts and I have no say in what others do, nor would I want to. I just think it is smart for a parent to know that ultimately they don't have control over what their kids believe.
If my friend wanted to baptize her baby I would be fine with it and even attend in support for her. It it just not something my family will ever do. If my boys get older and want to be Christian and baptized I will be right there by their side supporting them as well. I will be happy they found faith no doubt.
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Post by nevaehsmom327 on Jul 26, 2012 9:02:30 GMT -6
As far as baptisms go, I really like the way our church does it, and believe it's actually what is best for kids and adults.
As babies or children, you as an adult are able to do a "baby dedication" where you're saying "I give my child to you God to watch over" etc. Then, as an adult you're able to be baptized which is your own choice, and YOU saying you give your life to God.
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Post by healerarina on Jul 26, 2012 10:17:29 GMT -6
I believe in a higher power whether that is god or not, I am not sure. I was baptized and confirmed catholic, but I have a hard time setting foot into a church (anxiety issues from my childhood). I am sending DD1 to a catholic preschool, mostly because it suited our needs the best. My kids are not baptized either, again because I have a hard time going to church. My mom is on me to get the girls baptized, but we will see.
Your faith is your own, and I don't think other people should have a right to tell you otherwise. As long as you are a good person and treat other people right, who cares.
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Post by jrose on Jul 26, 2012 13:22:58 GMT -6
My kids aren't baptized. I just feel like I would've been forcing them into something they had no choice in. I just want them to make up their own minds when they can. They have been to church a handful of times since their Grandpa is a pastor. They are exposed to religion but yet have anything to ask or say about...then again they are only almost 3 and 4.5. I'm sure the time will come and if they want to explore church and see what it has to offer then DH and I will be right by their sides.
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katie
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Post by katie on Jul 28, 2012 11:36:01 GMT -6
I was raised catholic. When I married my husband we were married in a Lutheran church (he was raised Lutheran). When we were originally looking at churches I was looking at both Lutheran and Catholic. I just wanted to find one that we felt at home with. We ended up at the Lutheran church. Now that we have moved we are at a Catholic church. Growing up I went to church every Sunday, was baptized, had first communion, and confirmation. When I was in my late teens/early 20's I stopped going to church. I still believed in God but had a lot of questions. Now I am back to the Catholic church by my decision. I am not sure if this came from me posting in the prayer section about my uncle that is dying and isn't a believer. I have been praying that he finds God before he passes. Being a non believer doesn't make someone a bad person nor does being a different religion. I am not even saying I want my uncle to be Catholic, I just wish he believed in God. In my religion we believe that there is a Heaven and it is the most wonderful place to be. I want that for my Uncle. I want to be able to see him again when I pass. I am not trying to push my thoughts on others. I was with my Grandpa as he passed and there is no doubt in my mind that he as he was passing he say Jesus. The way he reacted, there is just no doubt. When he was passing he had peace knowing there would be life with God after. He wasn't scared just at peace.
I really can't even put into words how I feel about my Uncle not believing. I know he is a great person and that his belief doesn't change that.
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