According to this article, 'More than 100,000 former Christians have downloaded "certificates of de-baptism" in a bid to publicly renounce their faith'. The online service started about five years ago and is provded by the London-based National Secular Society (NSS)I think the issues here are more political than parochial.
'According to Argentine campaigner Ariel Bellino, a former Catholic: "The church counts all those who've been baptized as Catholic and lobbies for legislation based on that number, so we're trying to convey the importance of people expressing they no longer belong to the church."
In England, its a bit more desperate:
"Official estimates are that fewer than one million Britons regularly attend Sunday services, but there are currently 26 Church of England bishops sitting in the House of Lords. With churches, everybody checks in, but nobody checks out. There's no exit strategy except the funeral."
Some protesters have published renouncement of their Christianity in newspapers but Nick Baines, the Bishop of Croydon, says such notation makes little difference.
"Sticking [a] note in the register is not 'de-anything', it is simply a note in
a register that has no effect whatsoever other than to make him feel better
that he has been heard."
In Africa - where religion is the opium or 'primary sustainer' of the people in the convenient absence of government- particularly in Nigeria where the churches are always full and some even hold up to six 90-minute services every Sunday, this may be a tall order. Or may just take longer in coming.
The decisions of baptism were taken on your behalf by your parents when you were too young to decide just like your 'choices' of school, residence or even friends. Even if you don't agree with them now, can you change them? Do you have to put yourself through the stress of trying to change tham even if only symbolically?
More importantly, is it really possible to de-baptise yourself? Since true religion is between between an individual and God, the renumnciation of that relationship - if at all possible- should also be between the two parties only. The Church is just a third party.
The decisions of baptism were taken on your behalf by your parents when you were too young to decide just like your 'choices' of school, residence or even friends. Even if you don't agree with them now, can you change them? Do you have to put yourself through the stress of trying to change tham even if only symbolically?
More importantly, is it really possible to de-baptise yourself? Since true religion is between between an individual and God, the renumnciation of that relationship - if at all possible- should also be between the two parties only. The Church is just a third party.
10 comments:
De-baptise?
Neva knew it was even possible..
religion is the opioum or primary sustainer of the people in the absence of good governance.
True talk.
You should see my latest post.
I forgot to shout SECOND!!!!
and now
THIRD!!!!!
i like this post
real and is true
but i guess the last line is important your relationship is with God a piece of paper means nothing
lmao @ no exit strategy except the funeral..
I can imagine the reception one would get from the society in nigeria if you decided to de baptise...they would declare you officilly possesed by the devil and in need of a deliverance!!!
well, there is definitely a growing push to either discredit religion or lessen its chokehold on people and situations.
This is just one example and it will only come to Africa if and when more people join the middle class and have the luxury of questioning religion and establishment. Personally, i don't feel the need for a de-baptism. I like the relationship I have with my maker.
interesting. had no idea there was anything such as de-baptise. yes, society comes to a full circle innit? western europe has become so advanced, it is time to de-baptize God. that is, people who brought Christianity to Africa are renouncing Christianity. the paradox of it all.
the 3rd party as in organised religions has been responsible for so many atrocities in his name so i am not surprised that a 3rd party wants to de-baptise people
The whole point for of free will was one is able to choose to commune with God or not...if it is the latter it is also important to know that the lost sheep is never truly lost to the Good Shepherd...like a doting father he will always welcome back 'the lost son'
uncle NIMMO how now? hope all is well with u and yours! :-)
lmao@ afrobabe...true talk
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