**yes, the other thread was blank because of the problems invision was having last night....now, back to the topic of the hour!**

I've got a really good friend that has a daughter Andie's age and an infant son. They're getting him baptized/christened (not sure of the right term, they're Catholic) and then having a party afterwards. And they're inviting friends & family to the ceremony (for those who want to come) and the party.

Of COURSE I'm going to go to the party...but not sure if I should attend the ceremony as I have alot of issues with the Catholic faith not to mention simply not believing in baptising infants. Or should I just not make it that big a deal?

Also, what kind of present do you get for a baptism? I should mention they're combining this with his first birthday...should I get him something for both? Something special for the baptism?


HELP! What's the protocol?? :lol: :blink:

My sister's husband (we're all Anabaptists) is a godfather to his niece. We don't agree with alot of Catholic beliefs either, but when my BIL was asked to be godfather, they went. We also do not believe in baptizing infants... but that's a whole other topic. ;)

Protocol? dunno about that one. But - I would say...go. By going you are not supporting the Catholic church - you are supporting your friend.

I would simply ask them if they want you to go to the baptism. Tell them you've never been to a catholic service, and you're not such if you would be comfortable there. If they are having communion, which they usually do all the time, that chances are you won't be comfortable there.

How old is this kid? one? Should one year olds really get presents? I mean can they really use them? what the heck... I'd just get them a Gift Card to Baby's R us or some junk...


As far as infant Baptism versus Believer Baptism. I think you shouldn't make a big deal out of it. Granted I share you belief that there are many things wrong with catholic beliefs. I don't think infant Baptism versus Believer Baptism is that big of a deal. If the kid grows up and becomes a believer, he will make his own decision about his baptism.


Personally, I was baptised as a kid, and that's fine by me. But I think if I join this baptist church there going wanna dump me in the water, which is a load of dookie.... What is that saying... My faith isn't good enough to get me in Heaven I need to dunk my head in this water... BAH.

Be polite and go. By not gong you are making a statement and are/ or will appear belligerant. In the Orhtodox Church we do baptise infants, and my mom is a Baptist(Iwas born and raised in the Baptist church) and she was invited to the our children's baptisms, but of course she always had some excuse why she couldn't go. I don't know about the Catholics, but in the Orthodox church it is a beautiful service. And it happens after the main service is over so that the rest of the church goers can go on about their day...The baptism is a very personal intimate things and usually only involves the immediate family and those invited..

I also disagree with much of the Cathlic doctrine, but if a friend were to invite me to their child's baptism, I would go. It shows that you support their decision to raise the child to know God, whether you agree with the specifics or not.

As for gifts, my son's Godparents got him an icon of the baptism of Jesus. (which we will be commemorting on Jan. 6--Called the Theophany--known as Epiphany in the West) Orthodox Christians surround ourselves with images of the life of Jesus and Holy people, but the Catholics...I'm not sure. Gift cert. to Babies R Us might not be a bad idea...Or a big cute cuddly teddy bear..or the like.....

Just go. I was raised Catholic and absolutely disagree with most of the church doctrine, but I still attend family functions. I just don't cross myself, because I'm no longer Catholic.

Typically, in our family, the standard baptism gift is a savings bond. Also, a nice silver keepsake is nice too.

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I went to a Catholic service once...

I remember a pamplet in the pew that said only church members could take the Euchirist...I was a little miffed that I wasn't worthy to partake of the Lord's Supper at their building...but I got over it. When the time came, all church members got up and walked up to Mr. Holy to get the goods...I just sat there like a heathen, stickin' out like a sore thumb.

I can tell you why this is...As in the Orthodox Church, (and all of Christianity up until the Reformation) Christians believed exactly what Jesus said--"This IS my body and this IS my blood..." They were accused of cannibalism by the romans and other pagan groups in the early centuries...But we believe that somehow the bread and wine(the Catholics have discontinued the wine-don't know why) are transformed mystically to the Blood and Body. It is called in the orthodox Church the Holy Mysteries, because we do not understand it. Because Jesus said This IS my body, he did not say this represents my body...just as the father said "This ismy son in whom I am well pleased." When Jesus says it is, it is. We do not question or rephrase the words of our Lord into something easier for us to understand and grasp because we cannot possibly understand the mysteries of God. As in the Orthodox Church, the Holy Mysteries, or the Eucharist, is not merely symbolic and unnecessary. It is a grave thing to partake of the blood and body of Christ. In the orthodox Church we are instructed to appproace the Holy Chalice with reverence for the magnitude of whta it is. In the protestant churches it is just symbolic, not that imoportant, etc.. However, when Christianity first began the Eucharist was the center of every service, as it still is in Orthodoxy and maybe Catholicism(not sure about them) Only after the Great Schism of 1054(when the patriarchate of Rome broke off from theother five patriarchates of the Church and began Roman Catholicism--the rest of the Church remained intact and is known today as Eastern Orthodox--Of course the Roman Catholis will claim that the five groups broke away from the one, but look at the Catholic history--their brutality, deceptions, ever changing doctrines are an obvious demonstration of their meandering...but I digress) and the Protestant Reformation did the importance become lost and minimized.
Until I converted and was chrismated and became an actual member of the Orthodox Church, i was not allowed to partake either. I went to that church for three years before I was Chrismated, so I felt rather obvious too. I've been there..

because the Eucharist is the Blood and Body of Chirist--Because He said it was--we do not freely hand it out like cookies. It must be respected.

Sorry to be so long winded, but this subject could lead to millions of related things and histories and this and that etc...

yeah...see....that's why I think I'll skip the whole service & just go to the party afterwards....

Is it happening during the service? In our Church it happens after the service..Ask to make sure..

no, they're gonna do it right after the service, so I guess I could see what time they think it would start....

You might offend if you do this.

We've had to do this, since leaving the church. We've just gone, out of respect for the family, and sit through the service. We don't get up and down, we don't cross ourselves, and we don't receive communion. We're outsiders observing foreign customs, and that's ok. We don't have to agree and therefore, we don't have to participate.

You can go, sit in the back, observe the service, and go to the party afterwards.

That is my world right now...

I was raised Methodist and my wife wants me to join her Baptist church....

I'm fine with my infant baptism.. I really don't think I need to do it again... I like my faith the way it is.....