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Originally Posted by DizzyDee  Mormons believe children are innocent and in no need of repentance until they reach an age of accountability - or a knowledge of the difference between good and evil. Of course, that age is 8 years of age - which seems young to me.
I also know of other christian denominations who perhaps may bless an infant, but leave baptism for when they are older. A friend of mine, who was raised evangelical christian, decided to be baptised around 16 years old - although she was raised with the expectation she should be baptized her parents let her choose when she was ready to make a commitment to God.
And no, I don't believe that baptizing little babies is right - but for many it is just a family tradition and a way to welcome and bless a new life. In the end, parents have a protected right to teach their children religion. |
Yep, just about all latter day denominations avoid the act of infant baptism. In the Josephite tradition of Latter Day Saintism, there is a blessing ceremony within a year after the birth; essentally it is a time when the parents present the newborn to the congregation and the congregation enters in to a covenant to provide care and nurture for the child as he or she grows up.
RLDS also would not consider baptizing a child until he or she was at least eight years old. In some cases, the child would need to be older. It all boiled down to whether the parents and the local ministers were in agreement that the child was ready for such a step. I knew folks that waited till they were in their teens before deciding to be baptized into the RLDS faith.
Full membership in the church did not come about with baptism. It was only after the sacrament of confirmation that a person was a bonafide member. RLDS were real big on making a celebration out of just about any sacrament (they did the Catholic Church one better, since RLDS have eight sacraments), so usually the confirmation would take place in a separate service from the baptism.
On other fellowships that do practice the rite of christening - in many of those, full membership does not come about until they receive further religious instruction just prior to their teens. I've always got the impression that there is some feeling that the child is thus "covered" in the case of an accident early in life.
Personally, I tend to think that it is more appropriate for someone to engage in a religious rite because they are old enough to make the choice.