UNBAPTISM: where something unnecessary is suddenly seen as necessary and sacred at that . . .
I have to yet again smile when i watch an action created to express someone's wanting to outwardly express a decision and doing so results in the creation of a "sacred" rite everyone should observe when the ritual isn't sacred but we've made it so anyway. How is one "unbaptised"? if they were baptised? Of course, the Satanic Temple has created and embedded this practice within their non-sacred services since they say they aren't a religion yet call themselves the same. I asked myself, if one was baptised by immersion, does one get back in the pool and do the deed in reverse?
Yes, this is serious satire meant to cause a person to think about it. I discovered an article I wrote in the past concerning this topic, to-wit:
" Another interesting simple inquiry speaking to a modern practice among seekers after Satan and the Dark Lord, etc, which is gaining in popularity among some who feel there is a need to exhibit an outward sign of who they aren’t, having repudiated xianity. One of the interesting (that word again) aspects is those who engage in the event (unbaptism rituals) were, most often, baptized at birth so they hever actually made nor were they capable at the time of making an honest “profession of faith” which actual personal choice by the person before being baptized is required by the xian faith if one reads the Bible. The xian faith makes no provision for stand ins when it comes to personal faith though theologians have stretched the point when the Bible itself speaks directly to the issue. One is required to choose to believe …
… but often hasn’t done so because of varied theological teachings on the practice where baptism became a sacrament or holy requirement rather than a symbol. The act took on sacred significance and became what was important setting aside the importance of personal choice. Baptism became more than a personal proclamation but an requirement to achieve one’s eternal reward to the extent if an infant died not having been baptized they found themselves within what was described as “infantus limbus”, in heaven but would never truly see the face of the xian God. i take issue with such a solution. why am i reminded of the closing scenes in the movie, “The Godfather” where all the butchery occurs as Michael Corleone stands godfather for his nephew declaring he renounces Satan, etc. Theologians then as now struggle all the time time to strain a camel thru the eye of a needle.
Besides, when it came to infants it was recognized in the early church and even earlier that , being a loving God, the xian Almighty would take them unto Himself because He is the Creator. Suddenly, that all went sideways as "sin and hell" became prominent and suddenly it was said the eternal father wasn't as loving as He says. Yes, one needs to ask that question especially since early xians didn't have the monolith we call the church then as we do now.
The xian church even today can’t agree upon the method of baptism much less declare someone is a xian who hasn’t actually decided to be one. Xian denominations are divided with some sprinklng, some pouring, and some immersing and some doing or accepting all three. Actually, the word “baptize” means “immersion”, a fact noted in the notes of the RC’s Jerusalem Bible. Most aren’t aware when King James I authorized the translating of the Bible into English he recognized the conflict when it came to the method so he ordered that the translators wouldn’t translate “baptize” but rather keep the greek word which has turned into what some call “sacred speech”. That way the King avoided the sprinkling vs. immersion arguments prevailing even then. And there was the issue of paedobaptism/infant baptism.
Immersion has an interesting history as the accepted form for baptism and many of the ancient churches of Europe still have baptism pools for that purpose. And the early church didn't baptise infants at all. One had to declare their personal belief openly and directly. I’m not going to begin a treatise on the practice but for anyone interested it can make interesting reading especially since John Bunyan spent l6 years in an English prision and not a few (thousands) were burned at the stake and otherwise lost their lives because of the efficacy of infant baptism as well as this method … this seeming to many unimportant ‘necessity" (baptism) which all recognized which isn’t a necessity because , though it’s taught in the Scripture and demanded by the churches as one’s outward sign of the inward change, the thief on the cross is but one example of one who entered heaven without having submitted to the practice. (“This day you shall be with Me in paradise”). I’m beginning to digress.
Being baptized, regardless of the manner, doesn’t make one a xian. One has to believe “on Him who God has sent” and that is Jesus, the xrist. No belief, you’re not in the family. And… . . well … . . if you’re an infant when it happened, did you ever make a choice?
As for “unbaptism”, it isn’t required, never indulged in and isn’t a part of any satanist or pagan tradition. Yet I’m sure the Dark Lord doesn’t mind if one wants to experience such a ritual even if its’ a modern creation and a declaration of what already isn’t. When one indulges in such a ritual that’s fine and maybe meets a personal need. The question always underlying both unbaptism and baptism is the sincerity of the person being unbaptised or baptised. My husband, many times, has been asked by a xian previously baptised to be baptised again because their first profession of faith, they felt, wasn’t sincere. Hubby doesn’t immediately accede to their wish but takes time to talk with them. Then, again there are those xian groups who believe one can “lose their salvation” so often find themselves being baptised over and yet again. Sounds silly? It isn’t and happens more often than one thinks. Things spiritual, despite folks trivializing them, is serious business when it “gets personal”.
So, while “unbaptism” is a modern practice I dont’ criticize one wishing to go thru such a ritual except to say it’s not necessary, especially if you were baptised as an infant. Being told you are a xian doesn’t make you one. And baptism isn’t a holy act but is simply one’s outward declaration they have died to their old life and are reborn in the new. … the outward sign of inward change which occurs when one declares “Jesus is Lord”. Even then one’s sincerity is personal because things spiritual are just that … personal.
I’m going to stop at this point knowing I’m leaving “things” hanging though I trust this article is helpful since the question was put to me. Much more can be said and shared I’m sure. I trust what I have written gives one reason to
Think about it.
Forgive the flaws and errors in this effort. The illustration I found online. Baptisms and unbaptisms take place in varied venues using different practices. I have to wonder if some unbaptism practices are actually the same except the meaning is reversed. More food for thought. …
Is the woman in the illustration rising a xian or rising declaring she no longer is one? Hmmmm."
All of the above is certainly Wendy being windy but, well, so be it.
Think about it.
