Infant Baptism

[Cow of Shame]

[quote name='son_of_angels' date='Oct 3 2005, 12:08 AM']I do not say this to avoid the graces received at Baptism.  Yet these are grave responsibilities, graces which may also have the force of condemnation for those who cannot discern them.  Consider the Eucharist.  It is a great grace, a wonderful gift, but certain damnation for those who partake unworthily.
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So, you'd prefer certain condemnation & no baptism over baptism & potential condemnation?

[jmjtina]

[quote name='son_of_angels' date='Oct 2 2005, 11:08 PM']No those who are baptized have responsibilities because they are subject to the New Law, the Law which reigns in the Body of Christ, the Law to which every Christian, Protestant, Catholic, infant or aged has the obligation to obey.

I do not say this to avoid the graces received at Baptism.  Yet these are grave responsibilities, graces which may also have the force of condemnation for those who cannot discern them.  Consider the Eucharist.  It is a great grace, a wonderful gift, but certain damnation for those who partake unworthily.
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we are all unworthy to recieve it. And do not know the full extent of this grace even as adults.

Even the saints marveled at how generous God was with his grace. To even the smallest children. Their parents will bring them up in the faith and how can they do that without the grace and sacrament of baptism?

We don't wait until our children tell us they are hungry to feed them. We know they will be. we don't wait until our children are of age to ask them if they want to be catholic and "discern" what faith they wish to be a part of. We would fail as parents and as teachers of the faith if we did that.

Children have a "doubtful" hope of obeying the faith? What kind of statement is that? Children are more likely to obey even more so than adults. And love unconditionally and believe fully and trust unwaveringly. They are more ready to believe that Jesus is in the Tabernacle, and that Jesus watches them and helps them than alot of "older" people.

They are more innocent and the authority of the Church has rightly allowed infant baptism. How awful for a child to die without baptism!

[popestpiusx]

It is morally illicit to postpone the baptism of your child for a long period of time.

[son_of_angels]

Again, I have no problem with infant baptism, and think that the theology and authority for it is undoubtable. I simply am referring to the copious examples of infant baptism being simply a cultural thing among some families, but there not being sufficient proof that a child will be reared in the Faith.

Sure it represents a certain irresponsibility to allow a child to die without baptism, but it also represents a grave misuse of the sacrament to grant it without some assurance that the child will be brought to the faith. That is why I suggest, when a situation is doubtful, the church should establish norms so that one alternate plan is baptism immediately before first communion. This would, moreover, emphasize the communal reception of new members into the faith.

I also believe, however, that, despite my feelings on the issue, it is a matter of church authority. As long as the Magisterium allows and encourages it, and makes it our responsibility to do so, we have a moral obligation to fulfill our duties to the Church.