Some got baptized as kids. Others---a lot older. At whatever age you were, did you really know what you were getting into?
Were You Truly Aware of What Your Baptism Meant?
by minimus 37 Replies latest jw friends
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upside/down
I thought I did... or at least I knew what my motives were. The WTS obviously had "other" motives.
u/d (of the I dont't give a sh*t anymore class)
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Evesapple
nope, it was a big thing at the age of 14 though. the only thing I remember the speaker saying is that it's a date you will remember for the rest of your life....yup, he was right, I just wish I could forget it.
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Gill
Yes! It meant I got my mum and dad off my back and I could go out with my boyfriend!
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JH
When I got baptized, the end was supposed to be so close, so i didn't really think about that. I kept my eyes fixed on the prize.
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minimus
I was 9 but I really heartfeltly wanted to get baptized. I was taught it was the only right thing to do and I was old enough to know better and not be protected by my mother's being in the "truth".
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Mulan
I was 9 years old, so looking back on it, I say "no", but at the time, I understood as much as a 9 year old could. My cousin (3 years older) had gotten baptized the summer before, so I did it mainly because I had to do everything she did.
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AloneinOh
Definately........that's why I was never baptised. I never felt that I was dedicated enough to do it. Even while all of my friends and family were getting baptised around me, I don't remember being pressured about it. Maybe they somehow knew it would never happen and thus never pushed it. Watching them smoke pot and get drunk, and then pretend to be a dedicated witness showed me their hypocrisy. For some reason, I thought baptism meant something and I couldn't pretend I was ready.
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minimus
Many parents did not want their kids getting baptized knowing they'd get df'd.
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POs Son
AloneinOH, you have a similar story to mine. About 15 years ago, all the 12-15 year olds in our cong were doing the cool thing of getting baptized. There was joy abounding, lots of fancy custom leather bibles and engraved Cross brand pens going around. It felt like graduation season whenever an assembly came around. I refused to jump in the water with everyone else.
Well, now its fun to sit back and watch. (actually its sad). I hear of all the folks I grew up with... lets see here, one pregnant without benefit of marriage, several who "fail to thrive" in general, a few drunks, some married and divorced. Every one of them risks "getting caught" and being DF'd for living pretty standard lives. Several want out of the bOrg, but cannot make the step as they will lose all their friends. And, here I am, still a Christian (acording to my own bible) and never have to worry about getting caught at an R-Rated movie, at the package store, enjoying a sports event or (heaven forbid) doing outdoor choures on Saturday morning! I even invite friends from my old congregation over to my house, and they have a great time!
So, to answer the original question, YES, I was truly aware of what baptism WOULD have meant to me, it would have been a life sentance to guilt and fear, and I am glad I need not worry about it.