Were You Pressured To Get Baptized? (page 2)

Yeah there was pressure all right but it wasn't direct pressure for baptisim. It was more like a constant pressure to set goals for your self and to continue in your spiritual growth and relationship with Jehovah. Baptisim was just the next step in that progression. Its funny to hear others say what I have thought in the past. I knew the significance of baptisim however I never really felt like it was a big deal or that it brought me closer to God.

Netty

Of course, I was brainwashed that I would die at Armegeddon if I didn't. I remember when I told my dad I wanted to get baptised, he asked me why, and thats what I told him "I dont want to die at Armegeddon"

That and I hoped somehow I would get the spirit, and be transformed, and all of a sudden begin to enjoy this religion that I so hated being a part of.

ButtLight

heck yes! I was only 13! I think there should be a law against that! I wasnt old enough to know what i was getting myself into!

Dustin

Funny. I actually wanted to get baptized. I was 12, and thought I wanted to serve Jehovah forever. I would never betray my faith and become a wicked apostate. It's really funny how things change when you grow up. I find it ridiculous the most important decision of my life supposedly was made at such an early age. Yet they encourage this so they can trap the young JW's at an early age.

sf

Yes.

It was drilled in, that in order to be cured of all physical ailment or handicap, thus surviving Armageddon, that you HAD to be baptized. It was not enough to just BE a publisher.

sKally

sf

~hit submit prematurely~

THAT was the ONLY reason I went through with baptism.

sKally

garybuss

I was 12. I don't remember getting any choice. I was told the family merit I had been saved under expired at puberty and if Armageddon came and I wasn't baptized, god would murder me. The family merit doctrine isn't written about any more that I can see. Maybe some current posters can explain how the family merit doctrine is presented now. I see it's still being followed, so it must be taught. Maybe using a new name.

tijkmo

nope..in fact when i first asked my parents put me off because they thought i wasnt ready and was doing it because my friend was

i got baptized a year later but even at 13 i really didnt know what i was doing

MerryMagdalene

Indirectly pressured by being compared to my cousins who were all younger than me when they chose to get baptised.

Directly pressured when an elder approached me and asked, "What prevents YOU from getting baptised?"

I was 17 so, yes, I really did drag my feet compared with many. And that puzzled them because I gave good "girl talks" (don't remember what # those were on the school), and was out in service a lot, and had never given in to the temptation to do "worldly" things (except once when I asked to be part of a group that visited the elderly in nursing homes--request denied).

My mother was fairly young when she was baptised (don't remember her age exactly except that she was 4 when she first wanted to get baptised but they made her wait). Her brother was 8 when he was baptised.

~Merry (of the believed-she-was-dedicating-herself-to-God-and-not-a-publishing-company class)

Were You Pressured To Get Baptized?

TonyT

Darth Yhwh