GENERIC
BAPTISM

Topics: Apathy; Baptism; Church; Compromise; Culture; False Beliefs; Halfheartedness; Heresy; Pluralism; Postmodernism; Sacraments; Tolerance; Traditions

References: 1 Timothy 6:3–5; 2 Timothy 4:3–4; 1 Peter 3:21; 2 Peter 2:1; Revelation 3:15–16

There are now baptism-style ceremonies in which God is never mentioned. They are offered to parents seeking to initiate their children into a world of all faiths, says Ema Drouillard of San Francisco, who runs the website Ceremonyway.com.

Drouillard conducted such an event for a couple in Marin County, California, in 1998, for their baby. “We just wanted a larger spirit to guide our daughter, but we didn’t want to get specific. I wanted all her bases covered,” the mom said.

The couple grew up Presbyterian, but now, Mom says, “We do Christianity L-I-T-E for our baby, who believes in angels and fairies, leprechauns and Santa Claus.”

—Cathy Lynn Grossman, “Rite of Baptism Trickles Away,” USA Today (April 13, 2006)