Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!watmath!att!dptg!rutgers!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: thompson@athos.rutgers.edu (Marge Thompson) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: Infant baptism Message-ID:Date: 9 Aug 89 06:52:53 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, N.J. Lines: 41 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu I finally had to get into the act. I am Godmother to 6 children. I am a Lutheran and yet, two of my God Children are Catholic. Let me assure you that as Godmother, I took my vow and still take my vow seriously. I have made sure that all of the children have been brought up in a Christian environment. The five older children have all reaffirmed their baptism (confirmation) as they reached the age of 13 to 14. The youngest one (age 10) goes to Church every week, is involved in his church activities and is preparing to start his studies for his confirmation. I truly believe it is because I took my job seriously and continually checked with the parents to make sure that the children were going to Sunday Church School or Church as they grew up. I had a problem with only one Baptism. When my friend was questioned by the Priest who was to be the Godmother, she mentioned me and said I was a Lutheran who was baptized and confirmed and the Priest gave her a hard time. She settled it all by asking him what was she to do, go out into the street and find someone and say, "hey, are you a Catholic and will you be my daughter's Godmother?" In fact, the day of the Christening, I, the Lutheran, had to teach the Godfather (a born Catholic) the Act of Contrition and the Apostle's Creed so that he would be able to repeat them at the Christening. My Godchildren are like my own. God did not provide my husband and I with children of our own. Perhaps if He did, my Godchildren would not have gotten so much attention, however, I would like to feel that no matter what the circumstances, taking on the responsibilities of God Parent to a child means caring and sharing and making sure the child is brought up in his/her respective religion. It all sums up like this...I was born of my parents on June 21st. I was born again in Christ on August 12th, two months later and I reaffirmed my baptism on May 12, 1945 ....three dates I still celebrate and I am 57 years of age. If you take on the responsibility of Godparenting, then take it seriously enough to follow up with the children and make them aware of Jesus. Marge Thompson