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Why baptize children at young age of 8?
Mormon Times ^ | Sept. 21, 2009 | Kristine Frederickson

Posted on 09/25/2009 6:53:41 PM PDT by Colofornian

A friend of my daughter recently said she could not understand why Mormons baptize children at such a young age, 8 years old. This got me thinking.

...We do not baptize infants or little children because, as taught in section 29 of the Doctrine and Covenants, "little children are redeemed" through Christ and "cannot sin, for power is not given unto Satan to tempt little children until they begin to become accountable before me."

But why do we baptize at the young and tender age of 8? Why not wait until they are older and, as some would argue, more competent to make such a momentous decision.

SNIP

In the home, in church meetings and functions, this is what we are to do. Then, after being thus prepared, "their children shall be baptized for the remission of their sins when eight years old, and receive the laying on of hands."

SNIP

We baptize children at age 8 because it is the age of accountability. We baptize at age 8 because the Lord wants children to have the blessings, in this and the next life, that come through covenant relationships. We baptize at age 8 because in doing so we give children access to the power of righteousness and the power of God in their lives.

(Excerpt) Read more at mormontimes.com ...


TOPICS: Other Christian; Theology
KEYWORDS: accountability; antimormonthread; baptism; lds; mormon
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From the commentary: We do not baptize infants or little children because, as taught in section 29 of the Doctrine and Covenants, "little children are redeemed" through Christ and "cannot sin...Then, after being thus prepared, "their children shall be baptized for the remission of their sins when eight years old...

Say what? Can you say "cult" when people can't see a living contradiction right of front of them?

First, Mormons say that 7.99 year-old children can't sin. (Yeah, just try telling that to parents of 7, 6, 5 & the worst of tantrum toddlers)

But then, this writer & the Mormons she represents have the blatant nerve to tell us to our face that although 7.99 yo children "cannot sin" -- the moment the clock strikes 8 years the kid can be baptized "for the remission of their sins".

Say what? You just told me the kid was innocent. Now you tell me the kid's got spiritual cancer and needs a remission remedy. (Kind of makes the head-spinning from the movie, The Exorcist seem like child's play)

From the commentary: We baptize children at age 8 because it is the age of accountability.

Oh. So you can't hold 7 yo kids or younger accountable, eh? (Oh, that's the major parental problem. Too many parents of young kids have been actually trying to hold them accountability for their sin, their naughtiness, their lack of discipline, their bad-boy behavior, their self-centeredness).

You'll notice the Bible has no notion of an "age of accountability." The Book of Mormon barely covers it re: children. Lds get most of their thought on this from Doctrine & Covenants.

1 posted on 09/25/2009 6:53:41 PM PDT by Colofornian
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To: Colofornian

I like cake.


2 posted on 09/25/2009 6:54:49 PM PDT by 1rudeboy
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Comment #3 Removed by Moderator

To: Colofornian

I go to a SBC and we have had children that young baptized. Some know exactly what they are doing at that age while others may need to wait a while longer. It all depends on their level of understanding.


4 posted on 09/25/2009 6:56:34 PM PDT by MamaB (If you see someone without a smile, give them yours.)
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To: Colofornian

You don’t have much else to do, do you?


5 posted on 09/25/2009 6:58:16 PM PDT by Larry Lucido (This tagline excerpted. To read more, click on MyOverratedBlog.com)
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To: Larry Lucido
You don’t have much else to do, do you?

(Hey, if you're commenting to me, you don't have much else to do, do you?)

6 posted on 09/25/2009 7:00:18 PM PDT by Colofornian
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To: Larry Lucido

What’s wrong with sitting back on a Friday evening, popping a cold one, and disparaging someone’s religious beliefs on FR?


7 posted on 09/25/2009 7:05:45 PM PDT by 1rudeboy
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To: Colofornian

I dislike my mother baptizing me at a young age , I would have loved to make a decision all by myself she also made me do the first communion,which I do not wanted to because I was an atheist .

If i ever have a child I would make them choose the religion they would like to follow, unlike my mother who chose it for me and I turn out to be more rebellious.


8 posted on 09/25/2009 7:06:17 PM PDT by lmarie373 (*These little guys might look cute and cuddly, but trust us: they will kill you.-on emanuel brothers)
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To: lmarie373
which I do not wanted to because I was an atheist .
*did
9 posted on 09/25/2009 7:08:33 PM PDT by lmarie373 (*These little guys might look cute and cuddly, but trust us: they will kill you.-on emanuel brothers)
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To: lmarie373
"If i ever have a child I would make them choose the religion they would like to follow"

haven't thought that thru have you.

10 posted on 09/25/2009 7:09:09 PM PDT by driftdiver (I could eat it raw, but why do that when I have a fire.)
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To: lmarie373

According to the bible baptism is a profession of faith. It doesn’t make you a Christian.


11 posted on 09/25/2009 7:11:30 PM PDT by driftdiver (I could eat it raw, but why do that when I have a fire.)
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To: 1rudeboy; Larry Lucido
...and disparaging someone’s religious beliefs on FR?

(Are you disparaging my religious beliefs on FR again? Hey, if you want to be intolerant of my religious beliefs, 'tis A-OK with me. I simply find it a bit inconsistent that you seem to have some standard where perceived intolerance of others' religious beliefs is somehow a 'no-no' to you...If that's a no-no, then why disparage someone else's religious beliefs?)

12 posted on 09/25/2009 7:12:02 PM PDT by Colofornian
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To: lmarie373
"...which I do not wanted to because I was an atheist."

*did "

"...which i did not wanted to..."

correction noted

13 posted on 09/25/2009 7:13:17 PM PDT by robomatik
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To: driftdiver
According to the bible baptism is a profession of faith. It doesn’t make you a Christian.

Don't forget that one of Jesus' earliest believers, that is, one of the criminals who was crucified alongside Him, professed his own faith in Jesus, and Jesus assured him that he would enter heaven.

14 posted on 09/25/2009 7:13:25 PM PDT by pnh102 (Regarding liberalism, always attribute to malice what you think can be explained by stupidity. - Me)
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To: driftdiver

ooops not make them but respect any religion,sorry.

I wrote that post to fast but I still disagree with baptizing your children at a young age.


15 posted on 09/25/2009 7:13:34 PM PDT by lmarie373 (*These little guys might look cute and cuddly, but trust us: they will kill you.-on emanuel brothers)
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To: Colofornian

The last thing in the world I would wish for is someone like you telling me how to follow my religious teachings. If you can do it, then Barack Obama can also, and he probably won’t be quoting any religious doctrine.

Mind your own business and keep your nose out of mine.


16 posted on 09/25/2009 7:14:48 PM PDT by centurion316
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To: robomatik

Sorry too many grammatical errors, I haven’t had my 8 hours of sleep :( .Thanks for the correction.


17 posted on 09/25/2009 7:15:07 PM PDT by lmarie373 (*These little guys might look cute and cuddly, but trust us: they will kill you.-on emanuel brothers)
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To: Colofornian

The debate for or against infant/child baptism may go on as long as the Earth spins.

Baptism by those who choose to be baptized is only an outward expression of an inward change. The important factor is not what’s on the outside but what’s on the inside.

Therefore the act of receiving baptism is less important than the decision to pick up your cross and follow God’s path in your life.

If that choice is made before or after baptism is less important than the fact that a person makes it at all.

Therefore please leave the dust in your neighbor’s eyes for now. There are more important matters at the moment. One of them is a full day of college football ahead of us tomorrow.


18 posted on 09/25/2009 7:15:18 PM PDT by ActrFshr
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To: lmarie373
I wrote that post to fast but I still disagree with baptizing your children at a young age.

So when a kid raised in such a manner becomes the next Adam Gadahn or John Walker Lindh ...

19 posted on 09/25/2009 7:15:37 PM PDT by pnh102 (Regarding liberalism, always attribute to malice what you think can be explained by stupidity. - Me)
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To: lmarie373
"Thanks for the correction."

huh?

hey i've been there. sleep is your friend. welcome to fr.

20 posted on 09/25/2009 7:17:14 PM PDT by robomatik
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