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The act of baptism is regarded by all faithful Christians as a symbol of the washing away of sins and of joining oneself to the suffering and death of Christ. All sincere Christians consider baptism to be a symbol of God's mercy toward sinners rather than of our own goodness. Every faithful Christian sees baptism as a sign that God has claimed a person and that it entails faith, love, and obedience. All sincere Christians hold that baptism cannot take place in the absence of personal trust in Jesus Christ and repentance on the part of the unbaptized person who has grown up outside of a Christian environment. with this I am in favor of baptizing infants - Gabe Borja

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The act of baptism is regarded by all faithful Christians as a symbol of the washing away of sins and of joining oneself to the suffering and death of Christ. All sincere Christians consider baptism to be a symbol of God's mercy toward sinners rather than of our own goodness. Every faithful Christian sees baptism as a sign that God has claimed a person and that it entails faith, love, and obedience. All sincere Christians hold that baptism cannot take place in the absence of personal trust in Jesus Christ and repentance on the part of the unbaptized person who has grown up outside of a Christian environment. with this I am in favor of baptizing infants - Gabe Borja

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Put the main statement of your argument like this.

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Put the main statement of your argument like this.

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Put it under the appropriate column. You can develop your argument further in this text box. Add an image or chart or graphic if you think this will help support your argument.

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Lorem ipsum.

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Baptism of infants should be practiced as baptism is a gateway to receive other holy sacraments. 

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Baptism of infants should be practiced as baptism is a gateway to receive other holy sacraments. 

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I am personally in favor of the Christian practice of baptism of infants because baptism for me is a gateway to receive other holy sacraments as one grows. When one is born, they contain mortal sin in them. Everyone was born with mortal sin which originated when eve ate the apple in the Garden of Eve. For me, Baptism acts as a gateway to receive other sacraments such as confirmation, matrimony, etc. - Xavi Vecin

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Babies born into the Christian religion should be Baptized in order to receive the other sacraments

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Babies born into the Christian religion should be Baptized in order to receive the other sacraments

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I have always been in favor of babies receiving the sacrament of Baptism when they are born. Baptism officially welcomes the baby into the Christian family, wherein he/she will grow and live their lives and receive all the other required sacraments. When a baby is baptized, their mortal sin is washed away. - Santi Recto

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I agree with baptism on infants as the Philippines is a Christian country. I maybe biased because I was born a Catholic, but every infant in the Philippines or majority Christian countries should be baptized as it will open up opportunities to the person when they grow older if they choose to pursuit Christianity.  -Joaquin Evangelista

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A baby's first blessing is getting baptized.

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A baby's first blessing is getting baptized.

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I do agree that infants should get baptized as it allows them to receive other sacraments. We can also look at it in a way that our Lord has already given His blessing to the infant at such a young age which is a good thing. - Collin Loquias

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Why I believe that babies should receive baptism

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Why I believe that babies should receive baptism

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I definitely am in favor of infants receiving baptism. I believe that the sacrament of baptism is the first blessing a child receives, this is due to the fact that the Holy Spirit works rebirth through baptism, instills trust in them, and brings about their salvation. Although others disagree, the Bible unambiguously says that children can have faith.

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Infants deserve the right to choose their own religion and we shouldn't force things onto them. 

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Infants deserve the right to choose their own religion and we shouldn't force things onto them. 

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In my opinion, i am against the Christian practice of baptizing infants. Forcing beliefs onto someone can be very damaging and they may feel very stuck in something they do not even enjoy once they grow up. We should let them explore themselves first and give them a choice in the practices they will take up in their lives.

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I believe the Sacrament of Baptism shouldn't be practiced as the lack of choice is ubiquitous in this tradition. Baptism is useless if a parent doesn't properly teach their child with proper Catholic teaching as the child may grow to distance himself from God and become a liability for the Church. After all Catholicism is a belief which one must love God and one another but if the child doesn't love God isn't the whole practice useless?
In modern society, some people find Catholicism as a mere responsibility following the religion because "God said so" or they don't want to go to Hell. If parents make their children inherit this burden, you might as well distance your children from God before you even give them a choice.
-Karl Chua

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Baptism of infants is a gift not a choice. 

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Baptism of infants is a gift not a choice. 

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I am in favor of Baptism of infants because baptism is the most heavenly gift from God. You received an ultimate gift, a gateway to heaven. You are saved from "original sin" without asking for it. Others may believe that infants should have the opportunity to choose their own religion in the future, but what they did not realize is that eventually, infants have the opportunity to shift from other religions. They have the freedom to choose what they believe in. Therefore, baptism of infants is a gift from God. They may either stray from it or go along with it.- Tan Arceo

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While Christianity may not be the religion that the child would want to remain in as they grow older, being a member of a religion as taught by parents is something that is natural. Receiving sacraments while early on in life, and being taught the doctrines and traditions of your parents religion, is something that may strengthen one's bond with the ones who brought them into the world. Of course, they aren't obligated to remain in this religion, but while they are young, tit is only natural that they learn to advocate and have faith in the same ideals their parents had.

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I don't believe they should be baptized as an infant 

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I don't believe they should be baptized as an infant 

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As someone who was baptized as a teenager I don't think infants should be forced to be baptized since they are unaware and can't make choices at that age. While I understand the values that the parents hold and believe and they want that to be placed on the child, I think they should understand exactly why they are being baptized in the first place before actually being baptized.

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Baptism is the beginning and hope in man's search for the "Chief Good" 

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Baptism is the beginning and hope in man's search for the "Chief Good" 

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Everyone, specifically our parents desire and seek the best for their children. Therefore, why many parents choose their children to be baptized during birth, and not at a later age as this in their (Christian) perspective is seen as the eternal good and truth in saving their child's life through the forgiveness of "Original Sin" and entrance into God's family. If true, there should be nothing wrong with Baptism as this decision is made 1) In the best interest of their child, 2) to take care of the child while he/ she cannot comprehend/ make logical decisions best for themselves, and lastly 3) a responsibility and obligation on the part of parents to help their child with his life.

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I am in favor of the Baptism since baptism is the first give or the first sacrament that we received when we're still young. It is good that at a young age we already received such blessing since it's also a part of tradition of the Catholic faith.

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I am in favor of babies being baptized. 

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I am in favor of babies being baptized. 

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When we talk about a persons beliefs and practices I think that we should be able to respect this due to the fact this is how they live their lives. Passing tradition on to the younger generations isn't all the time a bad thing. Being baptized is the decision of the parents and if the child wishes to step out of the religion I think that they may do this out of their own free will. There is no harm of getting baptized because most of the people you were surrounded with when you were born think its good for you.

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Christian parents may choose to baptize their infants, however, in the future, these children have the ultimate choice to doubt and choose their beliefs. 

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Christian parents may choose to baptize their infants, however, in the future, these children have the ultimate choice to doubt and choose their beliefs. 

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The  duty of a parent is to provide and protect for their children's health, safety, and wellbeing especially while they are not able to provide for themselves yet.  Any parent would always want the best for their children, so it is reasonable that Christian parents would want their children to learn to love God. However, in the future it is ultimately up to the choice of a grown-up if he or she chooses to have faith in God, and parents should respect the free-will of their children.
-Enrique Dioko

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Baptism is a choice, infants don't have the capacity to decide yet.

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Baptism is a choice, infants don't have the capacity to decide yet.

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In our Church, infants are not baptized, rather they are dedicated to the Lord through a short celebration/ceremony. This stems from the belief that being baptized is a public declaration that you are a follower of Christ and, as such, you should know wholeheartedly what the action is for. I was baptized in water a few years ago during our Youth Camp.

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Not only does baptism cleanses us of the Original Sin, but it is also a first step. The baptized infant would be able to receive the graces of the Holy Spirit. As the infant grows, he/she may continue to receive the other sacraments. But the choice to take another is still an option for those baptized. The point I'm trying to make is that the parents who have baptized their children (during infancy) did so in order to prepare them for a journey in which they may or may not take as they grow up. Either way, it's the Baptism was done as a preparation. This journey will be following the steps of Jesus.

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Parents are responsible for the development of their children

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Parents are responsible for the development of their children

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due to children lacking the ability to take care of themselves, their parents are the ones responsible of their needs. parents feed their children because they cannot feed themselves. this is also true in the sense that parents may deem it necessary to baptize the infant. as long as it is what the parents think is good for the child and is not truly harmful to said child, it is within the realm of acceptability to baptize infants
- Axen Galang

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A baby is considered a person as for which they should be able to choose their own religion as they grow up. It is not a requirement in this date to have a religion. It is a person's right of choice to choose their own religion

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Parents choosing the godparents of their children 

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Parents choosing the godparents of their children 

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As infants, we lack the capability to choose properly, so our parents choose for us. This includes our godparents, as we are new to the world and lack the capacity to choose the right people for the job.

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I do not think Baptism should be done by a priest. 

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I do not think Baptism should be done by a priest. 

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As we are new to the world, we should be Baptised by a person of the higher order in the church hierarchy. Why do we get confirmed by bishops, but baptized by priests? I am not discrediting priests, but shouldn't original sin be cleansed away at baptism by bishops since we receive the gift of the holy spirit for the first time ?

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Infants should be given the freedom of opportunity to choose their beliefs that they will uphold as they mature.

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Infants should be given the freedom of opportunity to choose their beliefs that they will uphold as they mature.

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In my opinion, I am also against the Christian practice of baptizing infants because infants lack the mental capacity for that kind of decision-making, but once they become 18, they are free to select their own beliefs. I think parents should raise their children in whatever religion they, themselves are members of. At the same time, educate them on the basics of other denominations or religions. Then when the children are older allow them to make a choice if they are so inclined.

We should base our beliefs on our own experiences rather than someone else's. We should come to our own conclusions.

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Should something good be given to someone without their consent? What does Baptism stands for anyway?

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Should something good be given to someone without their consent? What does Baptism stands for anyway?

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The people in favor of baptizing infants argue that baptism is a good thing and non-harmful, therefore it can be given to babies. That argument presupposes the idea that good things should be given to anyone regardless of their free will. Perhaps we can even say that the proposition comes from the Catholic Church's definition of love which is "to give someone or something the best".

However, the vagueness in the definition of good produces many counter-examples against the argument. One of which is same-sex marriage. I could argue that marriage between people of the same sex is non-harmful and good. It wants nothing but to show the love between two people—to give their partners the best, and yet the Catholic Church seems to forbid such act. Why so? Is it not because of the meaning and purpose of marriage given by God? Because marriage, by definition, is "the relationship between the husband and wife, a permanent union of persons capable of knowing and loving each other and God."(United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, n.d.)?

Therefore, we must also consider the definition and purpose of Baptism when it comes to deciding whether or not we should approve of the practice or not.

Baptism is a sacrament of regeneration that represents "the total annulment of the sins of one’s past and the emergence of a totally innocent person." (McKenzie, n.d.) It is also an act of faith as it is invalid without having one (BBC, n.d.).

Now lies the question, do babies have a sinful past when they were just born? Why does the Church take the faith of the parents as the faith needed in the babies' baptism (BBC, n.d.)? Why does it need faith in the first place?

The last question is quite intriguing and the answer is perhaps because baptism is done to show the world that you fully believe in Jesus Christ and is now part of the Church. That is also perhaps why at least 1 Christian witness is needed for the sacrament. Therefore, based on the purpose and definition of Baptism mentioned and concluded, I do not favor baptizing infants.

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Baptism is not an imposition of religion when it does not permanently hold the person down.

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Baptism is not an imposition of religion when it does not permanently hold the person down.

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It's seriously not that hard to just convert out of a religion if I wanted to. We all have freedom of religion even if we were baptised.

Although, I understand the argument because of how baptism is framed wherein baptism is the act of instating the subject as a Catholic, but to reiterate, it's not that hard to convert out of a religion, but since the argument focuses on the lack of freedom from the baby, let me pose this question, "When is a parent breaching the rights of a baby when it makes the decisions for them?"

When a baby is fed broccoli and not candy which the baby wants, does it breach their freedom?
When a baby is disallowed from swallowing a choking hazard, does it breach their freedom?
When a baby is carried by the mother, does it breach their freedom?

Of course, not. It's a practice of care by the parents. In the perspective of the parents, they are trying to care for the baby from the ethics that they know. Even then, when the baby does grow to around a toddler age, the parents still practice what is best for them, but as they age, they should be open-minded and be listening to their children. As a matter of fact, parents that teach and involve children into religious practices gives them a perspective of the kind of religion they want to practice. As children grow older, they will have their own ideals and ethics that may or may not be in line with Catholicism; ideals will develop whether or not the children have a religion. In turn, they have a choice and even better, it is an educated and experienced one. In a perfect world, we would be able to know the aspects of all religions and be able to choose, but we are not in a game, so it is better off to know them.

Tell me, is it unethical for a muslim mom to teach and involve her children in the ways of islam, believing that it is the best for her children even though it is known very well that the child can just convert out later on.

Even then, when an atheist or agnostic supplies their children with anti-religion principles and ideals in the belief that it is best for their children, is it unethical? To reiterate, remember they can just convert into religion if they want despite their atheist parents' beliefs.

Even then, it can be comparable to culture. Is it unethical to teach a culture to a person? I do not just mean the culture of a country but the all-around mini cultures like the Southridge culture propagating our country. Like religions, they also have their flaws such as Toxic Masculinity.

Imposition happens when the child CAN THINK and DECIDE for themself on ideals but are STILL being forced on ideals.

If I were to follow the logic of the arguments against baptism, I should be financially compensated for everything my parents did for me when I had no concept of my freedom and what I could do? My parents are at fault for forcing their disgusting vegetables on me.

But let's say there's a dumb adult person, and the parent of that adult actually believes that violating them, as part of the baptismal practice of a religion, is good for them. Is the parent making the right call? Is it ethical? How about the real religions out there where in order to be a part of it, it involves violent practices (e.g Sacrifice to a God in order to join).

Simple. It is the act itself that is unethical, but having the child join a religion is not. Simply change the way the ritual is practiced, and it would be fine.

Again, there is no harm done in a baptism. Why? Because it does not make them permanently in a religion anyway. It does not physically or mentally hurt them. The only hurt that exists are parents who impose their religion DESPITE children WANTING to be out of the religion.

There's nothing wrong with not baptising a baby, but there's also nothing wrong with baptising a baby?

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Infants are not mentally ripped for that sort of choice however once they reached 18, parents should be more accepting and lenient toward the decision their children makes when it comes to their preferred beliefs and they can choose their own religion for as long as they think it's right and will do good for them and will not harm anyone.

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Baptizing infants is not a violation of freedom.

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Baptizing infants is not a violation of freedom.

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Infant baptism has long been a source of debate between the Catholic Church and other Christian denominations. However, two important points must be emphasized:

First and foremost, baptism is not violating the infant's freedom. Other than baptism, there are things that the parents decide for their child, and one of these is a name. Do we say that when parents decide on the name of their child, it is violating the child's freedom to choose his or her name?

Second, while I appreciate the people laying down bible verses stating that baptism should be done on adults alone, they missed one thing: the Church's practice of tradition. The Catholic Church does not recognize the belief of "Sola Scriptura" or "Scripture Alone," which upholds the principle that everything written in the bible is the sole source of God’s divine teachings. The doctrine of the Catholic Church does depend solely on what the bible says. Remember, Jesus Christ instituted the Church to spread the Good News of Salvation — not the bible. As stated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, "The practice of infant Baptism is an immemorial tradition of the Church. There is explicit testimony to this practice from the second century on, and it is quite possible that, from the beginning of the apostolic preaching, when whole 'households' receive baptism, infants may also have been baptized." (CCC 1252)