Yes. I am a cultural catholic but don’t believe in religion. I think there are tons of positive things from the teachings... same with Buddhism, etc.

I don’t believe in it all but I don’t throw all the benefits out.

My faith community is one of the most rewarding aspects of my family and married life, so yes.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I’m not anti-religion. I’m more “ spiritual but not religious”. I believe in god and an afterlife. I’m just not someone who goes to church. My husband was raised going to church. He doesn’t now but he believes in god. He wants us to not only baptize for his family, but because he believes it will bless the baby, I’m not for it against it. I just feel like it would be weird to get him baptized when we are not practicing Catholics.

Then it’s up to him to make it happen. He needs to figure out the requirements and organizing it.

I think OP is trying to decide if it even should happen, not who should call the priest.

We baptized ours, but we are practicing Catholics. I don’t know what I would advise OP to do. Obviously I think there’s some benefit to the child from baptism, but I don’t think I’d advise getting up and lying about your plans for how to raise the kid. Might be a good time to talk with DH about how each of you envision your child’s spiritual/religious education going forward.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I’m not anti-religion. I’m more “ spiritual but not religious”. I believe in god and an afterlife. I’m just not someone who goes to church. My husband was raised going to church. He doesn’t now but he believes in god. He wants us to not only baptize for his family, but because he believes it will bless the baby, I’m not for it against it. I just feel like it would be weird to get him baptized when we are not practicing Catholics.

Then it’s up to him to make it happen. He needs to figure out the requirements and organizing it.

OP, why not reach out to a local church by phone and discuss this with the pastor? Be honest about where both you and your husband are at regarding this situation. See what he or she says.

One hangup might be what 06:21 mentions, which is that in many baptism ceremonies, the parents make a statement in front of the congregation that they will raise the baby in the faith and renounce all evil. This is an active commitment in many churches, a vow that you as the parents make, although to be honest yes we do see families come in for a baptism and then never see them in the pews again.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I’m not anti-religion. I’m more “ spiritual but not religious”. I believe in god and an afterlife. I’m just not someone who goes to church. My husband was raised going to church. He doesn’t now but he believes in god. He wants us to not only baptize for his family, but because he believes it will bless the baby, I’m not for it against it. I just feel like it would be weird to get him baptized when we are not practicing Catholics.

Then dont baptize him Catholic, Find a Church that you like and go with that one. If you have no intention of ever going to Church then don't baptize your child.

I think its hypocritical to get your child baptized if you have no intention of going to Church and raising your child in the Christian faith.
My child was baptized but goes to Sunday school now and participates in Church activities.

I’m a lapsed Catholic but in reality agnostic. My DH is Episcopalian. Our child was baptized in the Episcopal church. I look at it this way, if there is no God, it doesn’t mean a thing. If there’s some other answer, then it doesn’t hurt. It made the families happy, which is a good thing whatever God’s status is.

Anonymous wrote:It would have only happened over my dead body.

This.

I was baptized as an infant. I find the whole premise of it to be a disturbing tradition.

OP here. I’m not anti-religion. I’m more “ spiritual but not religious”. I believe in god and an afterlife. I’m just not someone who goes to church. My husband was raised going to church. He doesn’t now but he believes in god. He wants us to not only baptize for his family, but because he believes it will bless the baby, I’m not for it against it. I just feel like it would be weird to get him baptized when we are not practicing Catholics.

No, we didn’t. Our parents wanted us to, but I’m an atheist and DH is agnostic. DH probably would’ve been fine appeasing our parents, but I’m pretty staunchly anti-religion, so it was never gonna happen. The parents got over it.

In my denomination, baptism only occurs if and when the individual has made the decision to accept Christ as their Savior. Since my tradition differs, my viewpoint might need to be discounted.

You say that your husband is not very religious but wants to get your son baptized. I think the critical issue is WHY he wants to baptize your son. If it is because of religious reasons, I think you should honor that. Even if he's not very religious, there may be aspects of his faith that are important to him.

If he only wants to do it to make his parents happy, then I think you have more room to argue. It doesn't negate his position altogether, family peace is certainly desirable, but so is being authentic. Moreover, as Catholic PPs have said, I think part of the baptism ceremony is promising to raise your child in the Catholic faith. If he doesn't sincerely intend to do so, it would seem disrespectful to Catholicism to have the ceremony.

If you didn't grow up religious, have you considered exploring the Catholic faith (or any other)? You might view it more positively if you had more direct experience with it.

Yes. I’m Catholic.

No. But then, I wasn't baptized either. My older sister was, but by the time I was born, my parents had stopped attending church and just didn't bother. DH was raised Catholic, but he doesn't practice anyone either.

I am a lapsed Catholic. I didn’t get my kids baptized even though my parents are staunch Catholics.

I would not go through the motions because I know what they’re supposed to mean. But if you’re not religious, it’s just water.