Funny thing I learned about in European History.

Apparently, they are the only Christian sect that baptizes their believers when the have the conscious ability to accept faith (when the person being baptized is a fully capable adult, able to make choices). Accordingly, they were condemned by all other forms of Christianity.

Here is some radical Catholic encyclopedia on Anabaptists.
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01445b.htm

Communism, including for some of them the community of women, was to be the underlying principle of the new state.

I like how they used they incorporated Communism in their description of a religion formed in the 1500s. How anachronistic of them. And don't think it is just the Catholics that were and still are persecuting Anabaptists.

Just goes to show you, religion is indoctrination. And when religion tries to go back towards its roots of peace, love, et cetera, instead of being a form of social control, they are shot down.

PS. Did you know that the Quakers and Amish faiths(the most harmless and humble faiths in America) are descendants of Anabaptism?

Apparently, they are the only Christian sect that baptizes their believers when the have the conscious ability to accept faith (when the person being baptized is a fully capable adult, able to make choices).

Everything else aside, that is kind of refreshing. What a novel idea! Make sure the people who sign up actually understand what they're committing themselves to.

One thing that can be appreciated of the Amish is they rarely stick their noses in other people's business. They have the right to live life according to their scripture - but they don't expect the rest of the world to bend to it.

Just because Karl Marx didn't come around until the 1800s... doesn't mean that the underlying concepts of Communism/Socialism didn't exist. Look up the English Diggers movement in the 1600's. If I'm not mistaken, the Calvinists tended to run socialist communes all over France as well. Also, there are eastern examples of primitive, religious communism.

None the less... What do you really expect coming from a Catholic encyclopedia? I'm sure if there were an anabaptist encyclopedia, it would say some whacky shit about the Catholics too.

Although the doctrines of anabaptism are noble and well intended... don't get it in your head that they are any less indoctrinating than anybody else. If Catholicism ran off of the same principles, I can't imagine there would be any less Catholics in the world. Baptism is merely a ritual, an official declaration. Whether you're baptized at birth or at 15 years, you're still going to be subject to religious indoctrination through parents, family, community, etc.

Baptism is merely a ritual, an official declaration. Whether you're baptized at birth or at 15 years, you're still going to be subject to religious indoctrination through parents, family, community, etc.

Who is more likely to choose to not get baptized, 2 month olds or 18 year olds?

Who is more likely to choose to not get baptized, 2 month olds or 18 year olds?

Hey man, I agree. Don't get me wrong. It is a very noble thing to write down.

None the less, I can't help but feel like the de facto reality is a lot of religious indoctrination and then a baptism at 18. So sure, 18 year olds may reject baptism more than 2 month olds... but at the same time, like I said, baptism is nothing more than a official, declaring ritual. As a matter of fact, I'd put my money on the percentages being equal, if you looked at baptized catholics who revoked their faith later in life, and Anabaptists who were given the choice to revoke their faith at 18. A baptism is not what keeps a catholic a Catholic. And putting off the ritual till Anabaptists are 18, isn't going to change a whole lot of what they've already been introduced to and grown up with.