Then I suggest that you plan to deal with it and move on by accepting, as a mature, reasonable adult, that people who post enthusiastically about their recent baptism probably don’t consider religion to be a lie from start to finish nor baptism an ignorant, superstitious ritual. Maybe in your world no-one buys into Christianity without being brainwashed into it as a child; maybe in your world even those who were brainwashed find that the scales fall from their eyes as soon as they reach the age of reason. Other people reach different conclusions, and if you really lack the intellectual stones to appreciate this then perhaps you could consider the virtues of silence. Did you really expect to get an answer you liked to your “serious question”?
Oh, and if there’s one thing worse than shitting on the carpet, it’s standing next to a honkin’ great Richard and denying it’s anything to do with you, so I wouldn’t waste breath sighing if I were you. :dubious:
Thank you Malacandra for your passion but I was sorta hoping that the issue could be gone past without too much more comment - I actually didn’t mind too much what was posted because it gave me a chance to practice some principles that are quite close to my heart.
The holy spirit has been with me for quite some time no so there was no sudden arrival and my experience has involved no screaming - just a quiet working.
I did come up spluttering though (see below)
I was the only baptisee - I was only held under momentarily (It was a bit a shock hitting the bottom but that was inadvertant) I now have great baptism story and it couldn’t have been better - really.
First, congratulations! As a Lutheran, there are two questions I’ve always wondered about immersion baptisms, but never had anyone to ask… one was “What do they wear?” and you’ve already answered that, thank you. The other is what happens if you want to get baptized but it’s winter? In my sect, you’re encouraged not to delay baptism once you’re ready. Do people just wait or is there some indoor method, like a wading pool or something?
(Speaking of not delaying baptism: dalej42, could you expand on what groups/denominations you’ve heard not baptizing during Lent? I was surprised to read that, as I didn’t realize there were any denominations that observe Lent that would ask someone to wait a month and a half. My church just had a baptism last Sunday, coincidentally enough.)
More specific to you, madrabbitwoman:
How long was the whole ceremony? You mentioned giving your testimony: did anyone else “say a few words” or that sort of thing? Was there a sermon/message or readings? Did most of your church attend or only close friends? Did you have any kind of party afterward?
About 30 mins
The person who baptised me spoke for a bit about what baptsim means and what would be happening during the event. I chose psalm 139 for the reading and we sang one song as I went into the water and another as I went out. There were about 3 prayers throughout. My testimony was the message.
Most of my church attended plus 1 non church friend - I had no family there.
We had the after party at McDonalds.
Not being dalej42, I can partially answer this: People who are being baptized into Roman Catholicism as adults are frequently scheduled for religious ed classes in such a way that they complete their requirements just in time for an Easter Sunday or Easter Vigil baptism. Typically, RCIA (that’s “Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults”) classes are only held once a year in smaller parishes, so every year you’ll have a mass baptism (with sprinkling, natch, it’s Catholicism) on Easter Vigil or Easter Sunday, depending on local tradition but usually the former.
I’m kinda that way. Apologies, and please allow me to add my congratulations! Having been the traditional CoE route of infant headwetting followed by adolescent anointing I felt no urge to get myself baptised as an adult, but I understand that many find it a moving and uplifting experience, and I wish you much joy.
The Roman Catholic church used to do immersion baptisms, or, at least, wading in up to your waist baptisms, until about 1000. That’s why in Italy today you still see so many separately built baptisteries next door to some of the more ancient churches.
Congratulations. I was raised Baptist and did the dunk at 14. I kinda feel bad for my kids, since we’re Episcopal now; they only got sprinkled and they won’t even remember it since they were babies.
