WWYD?

nrkloveswrk

So here's the sitch....DH and I are not very religious and don't attend church.  His family is VERY catholic and wants to see Mason baptized, they don't care if he is baptized catholic or not, they just want it to happen.  I kind of feel like I would like Mason to be baptized, but DH thinks it's just another silly ritual.  How hard would it be to have him baptized when we are not members of any church?  If it helps, DH was baptized catholic and I don't know if that would make a difference.

I guess I just want some opinions on the matter....TIA!!

cnj050607

Hmm, well we are sort of in the same situation as you, where Carl's family wants us to baptize the little buy,but we dont want to.  We are not religious at all, and we dont want to go thru it.  I am not sure i have any advise for you.  Other then, if you think you should do it, just talk to your H more about it and see if you can agree. 

Victoria808

We are having Anna baptized... for us, it wasn't about what our families wanted (although I'm guessing that our moms would have been surprised if we didn't) but there was still discussion.  DH & I don't regularly attend church, DH isn't too much of a fan of the "need" to go to church, but we both strongly believe in God.  I had never questioned if we would baptize her, it just came with believing to me.  Lucky for us, we were able to find a Catholic church that was ok with us joining just before her birth and not being "regulars."  Although, if you are looking for a Catholic church, you will probably have to make a few calls before finding the right fit for you (at least I did).  As for other churches, I have absolutely no idea- we were both baptized Catholic and I wanted to do it in the same church (even if I'm going to have to explain to my daughter that I don't agree with all of the teachings).  Good luck deciding what to do!

WideSmileMama

This is something I never understood....... why do people who could care less about religion suddenly feel the obligation to have their children baptized?

In our faith, a baptism signifies a welcoming into the church community, not being "cleansed of original sin" or anything like that.  Maybe that's why it's weird to me.......why would anyone want their child welcomed into a community that they have no intention of him/her ever participating in?

nrkloveswrk

WideSmileMama:

This is something I never understood....... why do people who could care less about religion suddenly feel the obligation to have their children baptized?

In our faith, a baptism signifies a welcoming into the church community, not being "cleansed of original sin" or anything like that.  Maybe that's why it's weird to me.......why would anyone want their child welcomed into a community that they have no intention of him/her ever participating in?

 

I'll have to remember this argument when talking to the IL's.......

mrs.magoo

If you don't feel strongly about it, then I wouldn't do it...let Mason get to an age where he can decide for himself...

He's not going to hell or anything if he isn't baptized, IMO, and I'm a practicing Catholic!

Do what is right for your family, regardless of your ILs! 

Inlove05

DH and I were both raised in a catholic family... church every sunday, CCD classes etc.  But as we grew older, married and had children we became much less involved with church.  We did have Brianna baptized, mostly out of our families wishes.  But we still wanted to have it done as well.  In order for us to baptize Brianna we had to become members of the church which meant filling out an "application" and we also had to attend a baptism class.   We do not go to church every sunday right now... its mainly during holidays.. but I think as Brianna gets older we will start going to church more often.   

You should do what you want to do, not what others want you to do. = )  GL!!

EastCoastFamily

This is just my opinion so please take it FWIW.    I think its a beautiful milestone for baby and parents.  If you aren't opposed to it, and your ILs would be happy to see it happen, and DH's only opinion on the matter is that it's "silly," I suggest doing it.  All that being said, if religion means nothing to you and you don't plan to be a part of the church in any way at all, it seems that this is something you should probably skip doing.  We don't go to church right now, but we are both Catholic.  I grew up going to mass every Sunday until college, and my husband attended Catholic school from k-12.  We do plan to take Alyssa to church every Sunday when she is old enough to sit through mass and understand why she's there.  We plan to give Alyssa the same opportunities with religion that we had growing up.  She will attend CCD, make her sacraments, and hopefully gain something out of all of that.  But if you plan to do none of this, then yes, it would seem "silly" to go forth with a Baptism.  But really, it's your decision and I don't think anyone would/should judge you for whatever choice you make. 

RedInLove

My opinion is that baptism (and any/all other sacraments/ceremonies/etc.) is great if you're going to raise the child in that faith.  Otherwise, what does baptism mean, what does it stand for?  What are you giving the child by baptising them if they don't know what it means, what it stands for?  And I have nothing against religion or their traditions, but I think it should truly mean something for the long term if you're going to do it, otherwise there's really no point in it, KWIM?

My sisters and I were raised Catholic and received the Sacraments up through Confirmation.  My sister baptised her kids in the Catholic church, but they don't otherwise attend church.  DH and I do not have plans to raise our children with religion; therefore we will not be baptising them.