Non Religious Mom Wants Kid Baptised Hassle Free

Hi Ursula,
Most churches want you to be a member, but its not mandatory. With my first son, we weren't a member and we had him baptized of the church where we did it.

You can go to a non-denominational one or one that is of the same religion as you or your husband.

Call around and see what the "rules" are.
B.

p.s. we are in the same boat . . .my youngest is almost 2 and not baptized yet. We feel awful because his brother was baptized at just a few months. We don't have a "home" church either. :-)

Hi, U. P

From my expierence most Pastors do not just baptise children any more. The feeling about baptising a child so young is that they really don't understand what baptism really means therefore most Pastors want the child to be of an age of accountability before they will baptise. But on the other hand some Pastors will do what is called a "Dedication" even if you don't belong to their church. And what the Dedication is: The Pastor will simply say a Prayer over your child and what that particular prayer is will be up to how that particular minister prays.

So instead of requesting a baptism, check around and see if you can find a church that will "Dedicate your son".

I don't think that they will require you to join their church but they might. Maybe check with a friend or relative that already attends a church and go with them to church one service and see if this is something that the minister would be willing to do.

I hope this helps.

The Lutheran church should baptize without you being a member. They will not turn away any person wanting to be baptized. You should find a church that's convenient for you though, so your son can go to sunday school. I don't know what town you live in, but here's a few Lutheran churchs;
St Michael (Hebron) St Paul (Hammod) Trinity (Hobart) Trinity (Crown Point)
Hope this helps....don't put it off any longer.
S.

Don't know where you live, but we had our daughter baptised at the Wayside Chapel in Palos, very, very small little chapel, non-denominational like I wanted and I loved it. Its in the middle of a nice litte wooded area with wildflowers and serene setting for pictures. Both my husband and i were different sects religiously and agreed on this place.

I bet you could find some help with the unitarians-- they're pretty open to all kinds of relationships with God, and not as into tradition or committments. I would suggest a universalist unitarian church if you have one nearby.

I'd love to know the answer to this question! Our son will be going to Catholic school, but we don't belong to a Catholic church. I'm dreading this whole issue...(nothing against Catholics at all either; I grew up in a Catholic home).