Atheist de-baptism and removal from the book of life
Fr. Stephen Smuts alerts us of a new trend in Europe known as ‘de-baptism’:
……there are some in Europe who are formally renouncing their faith through a process they call “de-baptism.” In effect they write to the parish where they were baptized and asked that their name be blotted out from the book of life, also known as the Baptismal Register. Of course the Catholic Church does not remove the names, but does make a notation that they have formally renounced the Christian faith, that they have renounced their baptism.
[.....]
Apostasy Association? There is actually an organization that exists to encourage and facilitate such renunciations.
Of course, this is nothing new and follows the trend for US atheists to be “offically de-baptized” in a ritual using a hair dryer.
Sad.
Tags: Religion Society
January 13th, 2011 at 1:06 pm
Some may feel this is sad, but I can’t help finding it *funny*. If atheism is true, then the ritual was a nothing. To actually say “the ritual of baptism” achieved something of permanent significance which I want to undo … erm, this is an *atheist* view? It sounds more like hate than disbelief.
Like nearly all atheism, it boils down to a combination of childish spite and intellectual incoherence.
Amusing to watch all these atheists demonstrating their disbelief in atheism, tho. For what else is this?
January 13th, 2011 at 3:48 pm
From the article:
“People don’t usually leave the Church due to the Church’s sin”
Wow. Just….wow. Head in the flipping sand.
January 13th, 2011 at 3:51 pm
@Roger: (and @webmaster)
The article couches the request specifically in the religious terminology of the writer – I suspect the atheist’s request wasn’t quite presented like that.
As for the specific case the writer is referring to, if they’re angry at the behaviour at the church, then this could be a form of protest. Having been baptised wouldn’t mean anything to an atheist, but judging by the response of the writer of the article, it’s certainly hitting them where it hurts.
January 13th, 2011 at 5:33 pm
@Cabal
Did you do it?
Was your church hurt?
January 13th, 2011 at 6:37 pm
@Cabal: If being baptised doesn’t mean anything to an atheist, why do they need to be “de-baptised”?
If the answer is “they don’t, they just wish to deliver an insult” — that is, to violate the basic moral principle of “do not do to others what you don’t want them to do to you” — well, it rather degrades atheism.
I suspect 19th century atheists like J. S. Mill would be contemptuous of this kind of thing.
Still very funny, tho.
January 13th, 2011 at 6:44 pm
@Fundie:
In order: No, N/A.
@Roger:
I already provided a possible answer to your question – that it’s not about significance to the atheist, it;s about significance to the church, which it demonstrably is from the article writer’s gushing reaction to it.
People often resign their memberships of groups/societies/parties etc. as a form of protest – I think the fact that this is done in person with an interaction with their former churches might distinguish this particular idea from the hairdryer gag.
When this act of protest is done to the church, instead of contemplating what might have provoked this (in this case abhorrent behaviour on the part of the church), all I’m seeing by way of response is “not our fault, mate” and “lol atheists” – neither of which are particularly inspiring.
January 13th, 2011 at 6:48 pm
It doesn’t surprise me that a fundy would be completely nonplussed by atheists displaying a sense of humour. What’s surprising is a Brit being completely nonplussed by atheists displaying a sense of humour. Do you ever actually interact with people in real life?
January 13th, 2011 at 7:33 pm
One more thought.
Do Jewish atheists have de-circumcisions?
Just imagine how bitter they must be. “I want my willy back!” they wail.
Perhaps all the atheists should be grateful…:
Roses are reddish
Violets are blueish
If it wasn’t for Jesus
We’d all be Jewish!
The unkindest cut of all…
January 13th, 2011 at 7:40 pm
@Cabal, your comment didn’t address the issues I raised.
Sorry if our sense of humour offends.
January 13th, 2011 at 8:56 pm
Roger
Some of us do this because it’s the only way to get the message across to the narrow minded, dyed in the wool conservatives, in whose circles we have been raised, that we are making a clean and final break from our religious past.
And, yes, many of us are angry (with justification) at the garbage that has been relentlessly pumped into our young brains over the years by people who were too often rather less pure of heart than they would have us believe.
Oh what’s the point. You’ll not get it. Why should I waste my time on trying to get someone like you to understand…. In real life we would never meet.
January 13th, 2011 at 9:03 pm
@Roger:
“your comment didn’t address the issues I raised.”
Yes, because you seem insistent on ignoring the counterpoints I made in order to keeping having a pop at atheists, including those who have been utterly let down by churches they were once members of.
But hey, whatever floats your boat – don’t forget to purchase a millstone at some point.
“Sorry if our sense of humour offends.”
Your sense of humour? Who’s getting bent out of shape about debaptism again?