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Baptism VS Christening.
  • ZidashaZidasha
    Posts: 830Member
    Ok so I'm not trying to start an all out war or anything, but, there is a major question I would like to have answered.  I was raised, and baptized Lutheran.  Dh is Catholic.  Neither of us goes to church or anything.  I had told him I was against baptizing cause I feel that is a choice a child has to make when he/she gets older and can understand and have a chance at experiencing the different faiths if they choose.  Both my boys are not baptized.  Dh agreed with me on this and assured me he did not want our baby to be baptized.  Ok, well, last week or the week before the subject came up just in general chat and Dh a said he would like the baby Christened.  Hmm..I don't know a lot about the Catholic faith but the way he was describing it I would have to say it's the same as baptizing.

    So,I guess after that long explanation I guess my question is:  Is Christening the same as Baptizing?
    "I have a theory that placenta is brain matter I push out, so with each child I get dumber and dumber." ~ Unknown

  • SassySassy
    Posts: 2,440Member

    The way my SO explains it to me, its more like dedicating your child to Christ. But then Catholic people don't get baptized later. But they do First Communion, which to me is pretty much the same thing.


    We've been having this same discussion. Decided that LO can be Christened and the make his decision when he is older where he wants to go religiously.

  • mommydeliriousmommydelirious
    Posts: 3,222Member
    Im not sure. In our religion we do a "dedication". Its basically the parents vowing to bring up the baby the right way, and putting them in Gods hands or whatever. There is no water involved at all.
    Christening makes me think that it could be like their naming day or whatever? Does that make any sense?
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  • DemandaDemanda
    Posts: 4,464Member
    @mommydelirious is right.  Christening is basically a naming cermony that doesn't involve water so that removes the "baptism" aspect...it isn't treated like a sacrament like baptism...it isn't an overtly religious thing.
    A lot of people use them interchangeably though, if he's wanting to do it in the Catholic Church, I would think it would be a baptism still.  I could be totally wrong on that though, I'm not Catholic.
    "The truth will set you free. But first, it will piss you off." ~ Gloria SteinemPhotobucket
  • AloneOverseasAloneOverseas
    Posts: 2,240Member
    http://www.ehow.com/facts_5132638_difference-between-baptism-christening.html

    This might help.

    From reading the link, usually they are not considered the same. One is done with an infant, the other with older children or adults. But, it did say in the Lutheran and Catholic faiths many view them the same. Confusing!
    I love purple; I love cats. Imagine if cats were purple ...
  • ZidashaZidasha
    Posts: 830Member
    Hmmm...It sounds like the same thing.  @AloneOverseas, the article sounds like it's the same too.  I do believe we view them the same cause in the Lutheran faith it's done as an infant as well.  

    Thank you all again!  I'll have to look more into it as far as the Catholic churches around here and what they do.  It was very helpful.
    "I have a theory that placenta is brain matter I push out, so with each child I get dumber and dumber." ~ Unknown

  • shouldcleanshouldclean
    Posts: 2,369Member
    I was brought up Catholic. Unless its changed its the same thing. My kids are not baptized because I don't agree with it, don't go to church, etc. But basically you are acknowledging that your baby has original soon and you are gong to bring it up catholic. At least that is what I was brought up to believe.
  • ZidashaZidasha
    Posts: 830Member
    Thank you again everyone.  From what I have read it is the same basically.  I'll probably end up breaking down and letting Dh get his wish to Christen the baby.  Not really too thrilled but he never had a part in his son's life.  Not entirely his fault, so this is what he considers his first child that he can actively be involved with.  I just won't bring it up again unless he does.  :)
    "I have a theory that placenta is brain matter I push out, so with each child I get dumber and dumber." ~ Unknown

  • shouldcleanshouldclean
    Posts: 2,369Member
    My mom is one of those crazy Catholics. She actually told me my ds4 wouldn't have allergies if I got him baptized.
  • ZidashaZidasha
    Posts: 830Member
    @lourie, nope, no pressure.  Just something he feels should be done.

    @shouldclean, haha, I would much rather my dad tell me that than tell me my boys will go to hell if I don't baptize them.  
     
    "I have a theory that placenta is brain matter I push out, so with each child I get dumber and dumber." ~ Unknown

  • shouldcleanshouldclean
    Posts: 2,369Member
    @Zidasha Catholics believe you don't go to heaven if you aren't baptized because of original sin. My response to her was ” you think my son is gong to die.” She never brought it up again. (we carry an epi pen wherever we go). Sometimes parents should not say anything, they had their chance to screw up their kids :)
  • MyInnerGoddessMyInnerGoddess
    Posts: 1,558Member
    Didn't have time to read thru this thread, but as a catholic. I can tell you there really is no difference other between the two.  When the child is older, both religions practice confirmation, which basically is the time in which the child professes his/her acceptance of whatever religion and all that it stands for.  So, in short, baptism is to wash away sin (theoretically), but they later have to go thru confirmation.
    "People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and if they can't find them, make them."
    ~ George Bernard Shaw~
  • shadylaneshadylane
    Posts: 3,037Member
    The way catholics do it, its baptism. I'm Baptist and we don't believe in baptizing or "sprinkling" babies b/c it has to be a conscious decision to accept jesus by the individual. Maybe u could just do a dedication where there is no water involved. U could still have a small ceremony.
    ~slim shady~
  • WickedDunkieJunkieWickedDunkieJunkie
    Posts: 5,843Member
    I was christened/baptized Catholic as a baby... But, just 2 years ago, I chose to get (re)baptized at a Congregational church.

    So, I guess my opinion is, that even if you do the christening, it shouldn't/won't prevent your child(ren) from making their own spiritual decisions later in life.
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