Baptism Manners...

I believe your point assumes the "child" is not of age to make the decision. If the child wants their parents there and feels they are not going to hinder the Christian walk then it is right for the child to invite them. Insisting the Church has a responsibility to notify the parent not only causes problems with parents who disapprove of the church it also forces the church to assume the child is incapable of making an informed decision in the matter. Most protestant faiths feel that the person should follow Christ's command to be baptized after accepting salvation. Assuming they can't make that decision also means assuming the person is incapable of making an informed decision about salvation. Salvation, as most understand it, is a matter of informed choice and therefore could not be recieved by someone incapable of making the decision to be baptized without their parents. The bible commands we honor and obey our parents but, it also provides that any law or rule which defies God's command is invalid. I pray, Read My bible, worship, and spread the gospel at God's command and no Government, Parent or other authority could stop me because God outranks them in my life. That said it is wise for a minister of the gospel to encourage the new convert to invite his/her family to their baptism. It is an opportunity to share the gospel with family and friends if nothing else. the responsibility lies with the individual not with the church or it's leaders.

I got baptised as an adult, christened as a baby, my son was christened as a baby. He never wanted to be baptised he never had any interest in the church. In the roman catholic tradition is is done with the parents approval and most of my family is roman catholic. Now if my son went off to a different church, I wouldn't mine, he would be old enough to make his own decision about that. In the roman catholic church kids get baptised at 7 years old, I am anglican, now if he wanted to go roman catholic or baptised whatever it would be fine with me. If he didn't tell me well he didn't tell me, I would be hurt that he didn't think it would be important enough to tell me, but I would not be mad at him.

Yes the curch should contact the parents. if under 18.

Well I agree that the church does need to talk the parents first, and see what they think, and get their permission. I also believe that getting baptized, is not the only thing you need to do. In my beliefs, baptism is just a part of it, but I believe a person needs to be saved first, then comes baptism. I know there are a lot of different beliefs out there, and I'm just saying thats what I think, and thats what I've always been taught. I guess it just depends on what religion you are.

Yes. The parents should be informed about what is happening. The only exception to this would be if it were known that the child may be in physical danger if he/she were to let their parents know about it.

Was this person going to church without her parents? And why didn't she tell them. I think the Church shouldn't have to "invite" the parents, they probably figured she would tell her own parents. I don't think a parent should stop their child from being baptized that seems wrong to me. I personally don't go to church but if my daughter went with her friends or something and wanted to get baptized I wouldn't want to stop her.

If my kids were baptized and I was not made aware of it. yes, it would upset me. I feel something that important in my child life the preacher or another member of the church should inform me. but than again, my 10 yr old son really wants baptized but the church has been putting it off. As the preacher keeps saying he wants to host a meeting for the kids to understand. My son does understand, but what gets me is I have been trying for over a year now. But this same opreacher baptized a baby and I know the baby has no clue what a baptizum is.

Why did she not tell her parents? I was 12 when I was baptized. If a child is interested in a church, I think a parent should pay attention and ask questions as well as be available to answer questions. It is not a subject to be taken lightly. Most of the churches I have been familiar with would want to have permission from the parents and talk to the parents about the child's decision. What you have described seems to be a little sad. Unless the parents are of a different religion and disagree with the child, I do not understand.

Baptism is very important and all the family should be involved. My children were baptised when they where baby's so there was no question of all the family being there. I'm surprised he didn't organise this with his family anyway, unless he had fell out with them.

Since baptism is a very important step in a person's life and a deeply emotional one, I think that it's up to them who they want to invite. Some parents are vehemently against religion or they think only their religion is proper and they might even abuse the child in order to stop them from going against the parents' wishes. I would normally say the parents should have to consent but baptism does no harm and has no ill effects, it's just a personal decision. If the child decides later that they are atheist or Buddhist or Jewish or whatever, baptism hasn't ruined that choice in any way. But it would be nice for the child to share this moment with her parents.

I think that it is the child's responsibility first to communicate with the parents... The churches often will hand papers to the children to bring home to the parents and/or tell the children things to share with the parents... If the child tells the parents and the parents say duh... and do not hear it then how is the church responsible? If the child does not give papers to the parents, how is the church responsible? It the child is considered to be old enough to make his or her own decision to be baptized, then I would assume that the child is old enough to inform the parents and to invite them to the baptism. I grew up in a church that believes in infant baptism... And baptism would not be given unless the parents were committed to raising the children in the Faith and took classes to prepare for it. In churches where this is not the practice and where it seems to be more of an individual thing that happens willy nilly often against the wishes of the families, I wonder what the churches' responsibility would be. I am sorry that this parent had this happen... It seems that the communication was not good in this family and that perhaps the parent was not listening... That is a pity.

It depends on the age of the child. If that child is under 12 then it is the responsibility of the church to inform the parents. But if he/she is over this age then they don't have to inform the parents. Remember that once you are over this age you are now responsible for your sins. Your parents no longer carry that burden. When I was getting baptized at the age of 16 my mother was not for it. She sees it as a mistake that she has made and I will be doing the same. Needless to say I didn't have the spiritual guidance that is needed in this spiritual world. I still practice the principles and I was glad that I was baptize at that age because the trials I went through last year October I only make it through because of my faith that I grew up with. Parents should always remember that in the biblical world once the child is over 12, he/she is responsible for all action made by them.

Absolutely, parents should be informed in this matter. The pastor should ask permission if whether they would agree ot nor. Well, the fact is, baptism is considered a sacred thing and it should not be decided just because others are doing it. It needs a serious consideration because there are responsiblitites one should uphold once he is baptized. About parents being upset, it is normal speically if they don't agree that their child will change religion. But then, they have to be respected by telling them their kid's decision. That is in my opinion.

I would be very upset if my child did it without me. I would hope that the church would notify me and get my permission. I would want to be involved in every way possible.

I have never known a pastor that would baptise without consulting with the parents. Unless, the parents are unsaved and against it, where by then the pastor may act to protect the information, so that the child does not gt by passed on their rights to baptism. I am not sure on that, but It is usualy customary for the parents to be contacted as far as I have ever known.

very odd. at our church the minister lets the parents know if the child is interested in baptism, plus, the candidate (wanting baptism) must attend baptismal classes for a couple of weeks before hand. so it would be sort of hard if the parents didnt know.

Hello twoey! At my church, children are to be of certain age before getting baptised and the parents has to be there. My church wouldn't dare baptize children without the parent's consent. I believe that is wrong. I would definitely want to know and to also be present during such a life changing event. I wonder how old was this girl and what kind of church does she attend that would allow such a thing to happen.

I think that parents should be consulted about anything do do with a child. Children have parents for a reason.

From what I know, baptism should have godparents, the child should never be alone. If she/he is still an infant, she/he should be accompanied with both her parents. But if she/he is old enough to understand the sacrament of baptism and has the capacity to give responses to the ritual, she/he can be baptized without parents but with godparents. The reason for this is: any person has his own freedom to choose for religion, this is always a free will, most parishes does not restrict any individual who want to join The Catholic church, even without the consent from parents. Mostly priests won't seek parents' permission if their children want to be baptized in the catholic faith, because religion is a free will, anybody can choose a religion, this is always an individual freedom and not a family vow. It is not that parents are being strip by their rights but the Holy Scriptures said that whatever things you think can make you closer to God you are free to do it, if you think a certain person cut you from serving God based on your will, you should cut yourself from them and take your cross and follow Christ. So if you want to join a faith which you believe in and think can save you go on with it even without the consent with parents. Religion, again, is a free will.

i agree with what you say about baptism, about how it's good as long as it's done for the right reason (which is to proclaim to those around that you have given your life to Jesus, and that you are no ashamed of it), and that you also need your parent's approval. Also, your parents need to know that you are getting baptised too, the only reason why i would think your friend did not tell her parents is probably because her parents are not Christians themselves? anyway, to answer the questions you asked, yes, i would expect my child to tell me that he/she is getting baptised. I would be terribly upset if he/she got baptised without my knowledge. but i wouldn't stop them from being baptised. at least in my church, when someone wants to get baptised, they have to go through several baptism classes where an authority figure in the church will see if you are getting baptised for the right reasons. And, of course, the church should let their parents know that their child is getting baptised