by carla 28 Replies latest jw friends
I never could understand why a JW youth had to get baptized so young?
I mean, John the Baptizer baptised mature men, who were repentant.
Jesus was baptized at 30.
There is little difference between the catholics who practise infant baptism and the JW's who also practice child baptism.
Another point to consider is that the formost goal a JW kid has is to get married, and they can't get married or date without being black marked in the cong unless they are baptized.
GBL
There is little difference between the catholics who practise infant baptism and the JW's who also practice child baptism.
Actually, I think the JW practice is much worse than the Catholic. The Catholics won't shun their kids if they stop going to church. Also, among the JWs, a 17 year old who gets baptized has 17 years of indoctrination behind him, as well as isolation from "worldly" kids, and all those years of the entire congregation, friends, and family putting pressure on him.
What's worse? Baptizing an infant who's mind is a clean slate? Or baptizing a teenager after years of fucking with his mind?
W
Just a small aside ... I could have asked this question when a 'brother' came to my door with his teenaged companion:
"Is it true, that JW's pressure their children to get baptized ... why is that .... what happens if they change their mind when they get older ... will their own family shun them?"
Might make a young person think twice.
I got baptized at 14 to please my mother, to try to get her approval. I knew even then that I didn't fully agree with the teachings, but at that young and vulnerable age, parental acceptance is the most important thing in your life.
When my kids approached their teenage years, I was dead set against them getting baptized so young. I remember a WT once that said something to the effect of 'if your child is old enough to decide what clothes they want to wear, what styles they like, they are old enough to decide if they want to serve God.' There is no way I would let them even consider it. And a few years after that, I was mentally 'out' myself, and actively discouraged them from getting baptized.
The interesting thing, to me, is that they have both said that they will NOT be JWs once they move out of the house. But, they have also said that if I had wanted them to get baptized years ago, they would have. In other words, they were willing to 'dedicate' their lives to an organization God because I wanted them to. Anyone else see something wrong with that?
GGG
I learnd that some youths bucked the system by merely 'flunking' the baptismal questions .
I 'took the plunge' at 15 too...if I had any idea of what was to come, I would have thought twice. But it seemed such a good idea, my parents might actually stop looking at me like I was the black sheep (they didn't, incidentally), I could start dating, I'd get a clap at the following meeting, people would notice me and in the right way too, not just as 'that one who sits on her own looking miserable and looking like a goth'. (I wasn't a goth, just liked black, but obviously that meant I must've been a devil worshipper) The reason many youths get baptised is for acceptance. The society gives you an extremely effed up conscience which often stops you from feeling you're accepted in the wide world and makes you seek acceptance in their world. It's the most natural thing in the world, it's expected of you, after all, what other goals in life could you possibly have??
When I was part of the organisation, I wondered about my brother, he never had even attempted to become an unbaptised publisher and wouldn't consider baptism. In those days I thought he was 'weak', now I see how strong he is, he hasn't bowed to all the pressure and at the age of 21, still doesn't want to. I never thought I'd say it, but I really admire him. Maybe he saw how much good getting baptised did me....
It's always been stated in talks that if you "know you should" be baptized but dont, and you know "the troof" then you will not survive Armaggedon. I believe that is the kicker for most young people, along with pressure for people in the cong, and family members. My parents made it perfectly clear that I would have to move out when I was 18 if I wasn't "In the troof".
-Doodle-V
You know, I do feel lucky in that I did not get baptised. No matter what I was "taught" at the meetings, I just didn't feel that some of the things they taught were sins were really sins. I mean, they didn't feel sinful, didn't sound all that sinful.
Which, I guess, is ultimately why I didn't feel repentant when I was busted. *shrug* Oh well.
I learnd that some youths bucked the system by merely 'flunking' the baptismal questions .
I tried this, it didn't work. They simply ignored my answers, or pointed to the correct one in the book and had me read it aloud.
This was me. I had no idea that shunning of family took place or I would have thrown a fit and refused. I knew that I was on my way out as soon as I could graduate and get a job. Which I did.
I knew I was not ready to be baptized but every young one in my hall was doing it and my mother pressured me for almost a whole year till I finally caved in (she has always been big on lookin good in the con.) I threw up the night before and regret it to this day.The things we do for love and acceptance from others.But I never thought about its long term effects as far as me now being in risk of being D'F or shunned from my family for any reason. When you're 14, 15 yrs old all you're thinking about is pleasing your parents, getting them off your back.
Dams
