Many Christian denominations (eg. the Roman Catholic Church) practice paedobaptism; however, some dismiss this practice as heresy as there are no references to paedobaptism in the Bible.

What do you think about paedobaptism? Are paedobaptist churches correct in this practice? What arguments can you think of for or against paedobaptism?

It comforts the parents, not the child. To the infant, it is being doused with water. They are obviously too young to comprehend what's going on. Therefore, it's just a ritual that serves the parents.

You mean besides the fact that it is meaningless mumbo jumbo which contravenes the kid's free will?

Correct, it is a ritual for the parents and the members of the church. The child and God are the last two things it has anything to do with. It is just a part of the hour long show on Sunday people pay 10% of their income to see.

It is just a part of the hour long show on Sunday people pay 10% of their income to see.

WTF??? Very few catholics pay 10% to the church, and, around here at least, baptism is a seperate procedure usually done on a quiet day.

My personal view is you want to get those suckers baptised as soon as possibly or else they'll be stuck in purgatory when they die.

Personally I've already started practice any physical moves I might need in the Afterlife - the Leap from Flames, the Pelvic Thrust, the Valhalla Vault, Stringing the Harp of Glory, and so on.1 (http://www.fridayjones.com/things_to_do.html) While I'm sure to go to heaven, unlike the heathen posters in this thread, it never hurts to be prepared for all eventualities.

It comforts the parents, not the child. To the infant, it is being doused with water. They are obviously too young to comprehend what's going on. Therefore, it's just a ritual that serves the parents.

That's generally how I feel about paedobaptism.

Although I am a born-again Christian now, growing up in a secular family I was not baptized as a child, unlike most Christians today. Anyway, this isn't necessarily a bad thing, in the Bible people were always baptized as adults and only supposed to be baptized after they had developed a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Anyway, since we're on the topic of baptism, I'll tag this on: What do you think about full immersion baptism and the modern baptism (started in the 14th century by the Catholic church) that just involves a little bit of water being poured on the parishioner's head? Does it make a difference?

Its a cultural thing, rather then religous really. Even though I'm an athiest, any sons/daughters I get I'll baptize. Even though I'm not a direct fan of christianity, I do like the Christian cultural heritage (protestant, catholics are a bunch of power hording faggots)

Realistically it is just a bunch illogical crap that serves no other purpose than bringing some kind of reassurance/happiness to the child parents.

Realistically it is just a bunch illogical crap that serves no other purpose than bringing some kind of reassurance/happiness to the child parents.

That isn't the case 100% of the time.
Now I'm pulling this out of my ass, but it's probably true. A child being baptised is more likely to become religous, right? And if ignorance is bliss, a religous child will be more happy then one that isn't religous, right? So the baptised child is more likely to become ignorant, thus more likely to be happy then an unbaptised child. Besides, not being baptised as a child will kinda make your child different then the others.

If you want to talk about a really fucked up thing, talk about paedocircumsizion.

More importantly, who gives a shit when a person gets baptized?

Does it really make that much of a difference? Is God floating in the clouds, scratching his beard, and lamenting those crazy Catholics for baptizing infants? Damn, they really fucked up my divine plan with that one.

More importantly, who gives a shit when a person gets baptized?

Does it really make that much of a difference? Is God floating in the clouds, scratching his beard, and lamenting those crazy Catholics for baptizing infants? Damn, they really fucked up my divine plan with that one.

That's why its more of a cultural thing. If you ever get a son or a daughter, you want him/her to be part of the culture, no?

Yeah, I agree Splam. I think that's what I was trying to hint at in a far less delicate way.

Why are you all so damn serious? :( :confused:

I was expecting more along the lines of, "lol Catholic priests are paedobaptists!" :cool:

Depends on the point.

If the point is to say "this child will be raised with this church" well.. ok whatever. The kid is going to decide what they want to do regardless.

If the point is "this child will go to HELL if we don't, should he/she die." then thats not a god I am willing to worship

3 y old johnny just died in a car accident, goes to the gates of heaven and god stops him...

"Sorry johnny, you didn't get your head dunked. its fire and brimstone for you."