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From:
Subject: Re: [TMG] Baptisms and Christenings
Date: Thu, 3 Mar 2005 10:16:40 EST


Teresa,
It is not my intent here to engage in a theological discussion...grin...but
I would suggest using whatever term is used by the church or denomination in
question and not following a set rule as you appear to suggest. For example,
the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the United Church of Christ do not observe
the rite of christening. All infants, and in some cases adults, are
"baptized" with a sprinkling of water on the forehead. Immersion is not a
recognized practice (which doesn't suggest that never happens).

In these two denominations, what you call "the religious service done on an
adult after they have accepted Christ" is, I believe, more properly referred
to as Confirmation. After a period of religious instruction (not to be
confused with "Sunday School"), usually 2-3 years, a young adult is confirmed
before the congregation. This typically happens when the child is in 8th or 9th
grade. Once confirmed, the confirmant is considered a full-fledged, voting
congregant and can participate in congregational matters and received
Communion.

Again, I want to emphasize that this is not meant as a theological
discussion, but only to offer a rationale as to why I use whatever term is used by the
particular church or denomination.


Jon Raymond
St. Paul Park, MN
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~raymond

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