I'm considering baptising my child - I have questions

[Gurm]

Christians, Judaeism (as explained by Gurm), Latter-day Saints (Mormon), Jehovah's Witnesses, ancient Egyptians, Babylonians, Mayan, some Japanese, Sikh....all have used baptism.

Islam denies having baptism, though a cleansing bath & change of clothes is recommended before embracement. Some would call that a distinction without a difference.

3 types;

Affusion: pour water over the head
Aspersion: sprinkle water over the head
Immersion: submerging the body in water (tub. pond, river etc.)

Most denominations recognize baptism performed by other clergy. Catholics recognize a trinitarian baptism ("...I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost..."; Matthew 28:19) even if it's performed by a non-Christian as long as it's done with good intent.

If there is doubt of a previous baptism being performed then the trinitarian form changes to "...if you are not already baptised, I baptise you ..."

In an emergency, such as a person in danger of immenent death, a layperson can perform a conditional baptism and it will be recognized as valid by most denominations. If they survive then clergy can then repeat the baptism later on.

Most times it's best to follow the trinitarian form and water must be applied 3 times.

I've known people who have done this after the unattended birth of their child or if an unbaptised family member sustains a serious injury. I've also known doctors or other medical staff to do it when clergy isn't available and at the request of the family.

Needless to say; our hospital kept an unofficial list of people who were trained by the chaplains and willing to do it in emergencies.

I have no beef with you or your hospital, Doc. But I find this all terribly amusing - as if God somehow CARES whether a "clergy member" (which is an anti-biblical concept in and of itself) mists you or not...

[Dr Mordrid]

If it was good enough for John & Jesus....

FYI: two of our list members were Rabbi's from the community

[Helevitia]

hehehe, you guys crack me up I don't think I was clear in my first post. Let me try again.

I would like to do *something* that is like baptising but is not necessarily baptising. I also don't want it to be assoicated with any religion. I just want to be able to tell my daughter that there is *something* greater than ourselves and that I gave her a blessing of sorts so that she could choose to define anyway she wants. So, other than making my own ceremony, does something like this exist?

[schmosef]

Well then... I think you're talking about a baby naming ceremony, as Gurm described.

[Mehen]

Sacrifice her to the MURC gods?

[Mehen]

No wait, have her BLESSED by the MURC gods, that makes more sense...

[Jessterw]

We have gods? And here I thought all we had were floating balls of spaghetti and hairy myths...

[Helevitia]

After looking into baby naming ceremonies, I believe this is what I am looking for. Thanks for all the help everyone, much appreciated!

[Mehen]

I always imagined G-d as big, purple, and relentlessly spanking. *cough

[Mehen]

Back on topic - yes the naming ceremony does seem like a very good idea. Perfect 100 on the hamburger scale.

Back slightly off topic...

I myself am athiest but my parents baptized me - I wish they had not - I think giving the child the choice to do it later in life is better.

[KvHagedorn]

Better go ahead and have her baptised.. haven't you seen Warlock? :shudder:

[Brian Ellis]

We have gods? And here I thought all we had were floating balls of spaghetti and hairy myths...

We are Gods!

[Sasq]

Sacrifice her to the MURC gods?

mmm crunchy and tastes like chicken.
just don't forget the BBQ sauce.

Japan is shinto for births, which is basically just a naming ceremony.
close family goes, the child is named, preist chants a few prays of good life/protection, we all drink a shot of sake, then we all go to the pub to drink real beer.

[az]

I know, I'm a cynical bastard. *shrug*

No, that was actually quite beautiful.

Listen Helevitia, religious ritual is for human benefit, not G-d's. The sprinkling of some water on the head does not in any way affect G-d's interest in someone. And if it did, would G-d truly be worthy of our veneration?

If you want to do it because it makes you feel good, or you think it will make your daughter feel good, then that's 100% a good enough reason to do it. But don't harbour any fear that G-d will reject your daughter otherwise.

Go ahead and do her naming ceremony, Hele That's really a good idea - I think I'd like to do something like that for a potential future child.

[Brian Ellis]

Of course, you can play safe. Have a naming ceremony and invite the local Catholic priest, Protestant pastor, Jewish rabbi, Muslim imam, Tibetan bonze, atheist militant and whoever else you can find to each do their bit.

Do what your heart says.