Debaptism

[nathan]

So, would our atheists seek debaptism, or does that provide too much of an affirmation of the institution in the first place?

[ggeezz]

For some reason I was expecting a dehydrator being involved.

[dwayner79]

interesting... I like the Rt. Rev. take on not being able to expunge the record, and the graciousness with which he offers a solution.

[Mikster]

I think it's pretty silly... the "de-baptism" I mean...

I do appreciate and value the idea of a social ritual in which a child is presented to, and made part of the community, and in which "God" parents pledge to help the child, and take care of it should something go wrong.

The ritual has value even if the supposed Deity involved doesn't exist.

[osarusan]

I didn't notice that ndan asked the question, but I had read about this in the news a while back.

It seems silly to me. Perhaps if one was converting to a different religion, I could see the desire for one, but I would think doctrine-ly, simply not believing is enough to be "de-baptized." For an atheist to do it, it seems totally pointless, as not believing in God simply means that you had ordinary tap water poured over your head and ordinary words spoken about you. No harm in that...

But if it makes some people feel happy, I don't see any harm in it.

[kungtotte]

I am baptized, and I would not do anything like this. In Sweden, most children who are baptized are baptized as a part of giving them their name, so there's really nothing religious over it and so I never felt any stigma or whatever over being baptized and an atheist. Like osarusan says, not believing should be enough and it really seems like too much work for something that won't affect my life at all.

I don't really see any harm in a de-baptizing ritual, but it does seem kind of a douchy thing to do against the church. They didn't force you to become baptized, and even if you think their beliefs are silly you should still respect them enough not to fuck with them.

[Aagfed]

edit

[kungtotte]

Why "churches"? We are talking specifically about the Anglican church in this case, and I really don't see why they shouldn't be respected. As far as churches go, they're pretty relaxed and groovy.