Some JWs this morning told me a "heart warming" story about a child baptism!

by AuntBee 5 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

  • AuntBee
    AuntBee

    Apparently this gal was a relative, and was baptized at the ripe old age of 10! I let them tell the story, after i had begun talking about how WT splits up families. I responded that i did not agree with this at all, that this girl could not possibly have the mental capacity, the research/analytical ability, (or even the freedom, considering the info controL!) to be baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit-directed organization! I shared that i have eight children myself, so am familiar with child development. I know how much kids want the love and approval of those around them. And in the case of JW children, they are so isolated many times, that the only other people really in their sphere are other JWs.

    There were 2 women; the younger one , about 30 , completely understood the point i was making, and even clarified to the older one.

    They wanted to rant about infant baptism in some churches, but i turned it on them, and said this baptism was more like infant baptism than they are admitting. Plus, those mainline churches that infant baptize, they know those kids might leave as adults, and don't practice severe shunning because the kid was baptized!

    Talked about many other things as well outside at their literature table.

  • PaintedToeNail
    PaintedToeNail

    Ah yes, so very heart-warming...not! What did those 'sisters' say after you told them that infants being baptised don't later get shunned should they leave? I'm imagining sheepish looks.

  • AuntBee
    AuntBee

    Yes, PTN, they didn't say too much to that. Just kept insisting that this young girl was so zealous, and really ready, and understood. A relative suggested that maybe she was too young, but the girl was so insistent.

  • blondie
    blondie

    I understand that while babies are baptized that it has to be confirmed at a later time when the child is much older around 12 or 13. The August 19 WT study article says that baptism is the most important event in any Christian's life, the most serious, yet how many of these women would let their 10-year-old child get married?

    "When you become a dedicated and baptized follower of Jesus, you take a very serious step. Your dedication to God is the most serious decision that you as an individual can make."

  • JeffT
    JeffT

    When I became a witness (1973) the unscriptural nature of infant baptism was a talking point. The literature pointed out the need to fully comprehend what one was doing, and the 80 questions emphasized the point. Most witnesses seemed to be at least 16 or above before getting baptized. I guess they have to keep the numbers up somehow.

  • MrFreeze
    MrFreeze

    Does heart-warming mean the same as vomit inducing? How can you expect a 10 year old to make such a decision? You know, when I was 10, I was pretty zealous towards the ninja turtles. Doesn't mean it would have been right to dedicate my life to them.

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