Community› The Bump Message Boards› Babies: 3 - 6 Months
Babies: 3 - 6 Months
New Discussion

Baptism vs. Christening

SDarling324SDarling324
in Babies: 3 - 6 Months

This may be a very na?ve/ignorant question and I apologize but I am not very religious so I am looking for some guidance? What is the difference between a Christening and a Baptism?  Are Christenings for Catholics?  I know the words are used interchangeably sometimes but I would like a better explanation.    

I ask because over the weekend MIL asked if we would be doing a Christening for LO.  I told her DH and I still needed to discuss what, if anything, we are doing.  I didn?t want to feel pressure to make a decision right then and there.  DH and I have briefly talked about religion before DD was born but we both agreed that we would wait to get DD involved in a church when she is able to understand why she is going.  As of right now, we do not attend church regularly and have not for years.    

Then later at dinner she brought it up again, but as the conversation went along FIL said DH had been baptized.   I was raised Presbyterian and DH has always told me he is Methodist?

Please school me! TIA Ladies...

Report Reply to Post

Re: Baptism vs. Christening

  • SpartanChick88SpartanChick88 member
    I was raised a Presbyterian as well and DD is being baptised next month.  DH is Catholic (soon to join the Presby Church) and his nephews were Christened.  My take on it is the religion (and the $50 you apparently pay the priest??)



    What Are Your Thoughts on Tap Dancing Penguins?
    image





    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • neferhathorneferhathor member
    we are catholic and we baptized LO
    Photobucket AlternaTickers - Cool, free Web tickers AlternaTickers - Cool, free Web tickers Anniversary
    Report Reply
  • mamaholmes2010mamaholmes2010

    imageKredd88:
    I was raised a Presbyterian as well and DD is being baptised next month.  DH is Catholic (soon to join the Presby Church) and his nephews were Christened.  My take on it is the religion (and the $50 you apparently pay the priest??)

    A Christening is typically Catholic.  It is not a requirement that you pay for your child to be christened in the catholic church; in fact, they are free.  It is customary to make a donation (no set price is made) to the church (not the priest) in which you are having the ceremony, but it is certainly not required.

    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
    Report Reply
  • MrsDe2008MrsDe2008 member
    In the Catholic religion, they are the same thing...not too sure about any other denominations.
    Daisypath Anniversary tickers imageLilypie Third Birthday tickers
    Report Reply
  • SpartanChick88SpartanChick88 member
    imagemamaholmes2010:

    imageKredd88:
    I was raised a Presbyterian as well and DD is being baptised next month.  DH is Catholic (soon to join the Presby Church) and his nephews were Christened.  My take on it is the religion (and the $50 you apparently pay the priest??)

    A Christening is typically Catholic.  It is not a requirement that you pay for your child to be christened in the catholic church; in fact, they are free.  It is customary to make a donation (no set price is made) to the church (not the priest) in which you are having the ceremony, but it is certainly not required.

    That makes more sense. DH asked me if you have to pay the minister, I was like, uh... what???




    What Are Your Thoughts on Tap Dancing Penguins?
    image





    Report Reply
  • J+MSJ+MS member
    We baptize infants. I have no idea when we are going to do it, I keep forgetting to talk to our minister.
    "Seriously, mommy forum people are some crazy ass bitches." New Year New You
    Report Reply
  • firsttimeauntfirsttimeaunt member

    When christening first began, it was a ceremony in which a child was given a Christian name and then baptized. The christening referred to the naming ceremony. However, because of the baptism, many people thought the child was being christened when he was baptized. Therefore, baptism was rarely a word associated with infants.

    Now, children are named prior to the baptism. Since they are no longer given Christian names while being baptized, there is no need for a traditional christening. Therefore, children and adults now just get baptized. However, it is still often referred to as a christening. It is important to realize, though, that a christening and a baptism are the same thing.

    When parents get their child baptized, they are showing they are going to start their child off on a path toward faith. They promise to instill the teachings of God into their child and work with him so he will live his life as he should as a person of faith.

     Denominations that practice infant baptisms are Roman Catholic Lutheran, Presbyterian and Methodist.  Some protestant denominations that do not practice infant baptism are Baptist, Pentecostals and most non-denominational churches.


    Due June 10, 2014


    imageimage

    Report Reply
  • SDarling324SDarling324
    imagerochella:

    In my denomination, baptism is a personal decision someone makes when they are older - full water immersion that signifies total cleansing and renewal in the Holy Spirit - and isn't for babies.

    But we have "baby dedications" instead 

    When I talked to my mom about this, she thought this is what we should do.  I am having anxiety over MIL bringing this issue up again.  She was rather pushy about it so I hope I do not hurt her feelings when I tell her that we are waiting on a baptism. 

    Report Reply
  • SDarling324SDarling324
    imagefirsttimeaunt:

    When christening first began, it was a ceremony in which a child was given a Christian name and then baptized. The christening referred to the naming ceremony. However, because of the baptism, many people thought the child was being christened when he was baptized. Therefore, baptism was rarely a word associated with infants.

    Now, children are named prior to the baptism. Since they are no longer given Christian names while being baptized, there is no need for a traditional christening. Therefore, children and adults now just get baptized. However, it is still often referred to as a christening. It is important to realize, though, that a christening and a baptism are the same thing.

    When parents get their child baptized, they are showing they are going to start their child off on a path toward faith. They promise to instill the teachings of God into their child and work with him so he will live his life as he should as a person of faith.

     Denominations that practice infant baptisms are Roman Catholic Lutheran, Presbyterian and Methodist.  Some protestant denominations that do not practice infant baptism are Baptist, Pentecostals and most non-denominational churches.


    Thank you so much for this information!  This is exactly the kind of information I was searching for.

    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"