Ron Burgundy
Registered User
- Messages
- 752
Is that like a Baptism?
Are the parents generally asked if the want to present their children, or is it just generally taken for granted that this is something that everyone does?Another equally-obvious solution is for parents who do not wish to raise their children as Catholics to be honest about it, and not present their children for communion.
In reality, you are right of course. But it is a bit rich of them to get uppity about people not taking these ceremonies seriously when the structures they impose are the root cause of the problem.Lets be honest, the Catholic Church are not going to let go of the hold they have on primary schools. At least not without a fight anyway.
That the ceremony, held in Catholic and other Christian churches, commonly referred to as a "christening" is actually the sacrament of Baptism.
But it is a bit rich of them to get uppity about people not taking these ceremonies seriously when the structures they impose are the root cause of the problem.
You're right. The structures haven't changed in decades.What do you mean? The structures haven't changed since we made our Communion, and parents took it seriously then.
I'm not suggesting any change to the sacrament.No its not. Its a sacrament. If you keep changing it to suit what less committed Catholics want, it just becomes meaningless.
Indeed it is. How many of them will have done the baptism simply to get round the school's discriminatory enrollment policies, which permit discrimination on religious grounds?Given that most of these parents had their children baptised as well, I don't think its the school 'forcing' them to do anything.
Again, I've never suggested that the priests refuse anything. I've simply suggested that they (along with the school authorities) don't make the automatic assumption that every parent wants their children to take part. Make it an 'opt-in' activity.I think priests are in a difficult position. If they refused to christen or confirm children who are not brought to Mass and whose parents have no intention of rearing them as Catholics they would be absolutely attacked.
Indeed it is. How many of them will have done the baptism simply to get round the school's discriminatory enrollment policies, which permit discrimination on religious grounds?
Again, I've never suggested that the priests refuse anything. I've simply suggested that they (along with the school authorities) don't make the automatic assumption that every parent wants their children to take part. Make it an 'opt-in' activity.
I doubt very much that that's the main motivation behind baptism. If that was the case, why the elaborate parties, bouncy castles etc that seem to go with all christenings nowadays.
Parents are perfectly entitled to say that they don't want their child to make their Communion (or, indeed, to send their child to a non denominational school).
centuries actually and where is the "problem" there is none as far as i can see.You're right. The structures haven't changed in decades.
And that's the problem.
Indeed it is. How many of them will have done the baptism simply to get round the school's discriminatory enrollment policies, which permit discrimination on religious grounds?
How many non denominational schools are there in each area? ...
Given that most of these parents had their children baptised as well, I don't think its the school 'forcing' them to do anything. If that was the situation, why do they get so aereated about suggestions that the kids wear their uniform for the ceremony etc. I think a lot (not all) of parents just treat these occasions as a social event with the church part just a boring precursor to the party. I think priests are in a difficult position. If they refused to christen or confirm children who are not brought to Mass and whose parents have no intention of rearing them as Catholics they would be absolutely attacked.
Are the parents generally asked if the want to present their children, or is it just generally taken for granted that this is something that everyone does?
So it is an 'opt-out' process. Why not go for 'opt-in', and let those who choose to participate do so.I remember at both communion and confirmation letters being sent out letting parents know that the class was preparing for these and if they had any issues they could meet the school board/principal beforehand
OK, we I can confirm that 'none' is wrong, as in our case, getting access to the local school was the main reason for baptism.Well, in the absence of a proper measure, let's assume none ?
This sounds like a reasonably inclusive approach, and I'm glad you had a great day. However, I have a problem with religious activities being done as part of the core school curriculum. This is indeed religious discrimination, even if ways are found to involve the heathens.My son made his first Holy Communion on Saturday and we had a great day. The school he attends has an up-front Catholic ethos and all children were encouraged to participate in the preparations for the sacrament. I'm not clear on the varying levels of engagement, buit no-one was asked to step out of the class.
On the day, most of the kids were in their Communion finery. Those who hadn't been baptised into the faith went to the altar same as everyone else. Those who were able to receive the host did so and those who were not received a blessing from the priest.
Some have not been baptised, others were baptised into other faiths, yet none were excluded.
Check out the enrollment policy of any parish school. Priority is given to children of that religion. If the school is over-subscribed, thouse who are not baptised won't get it. This kind of religious discrimination is enshrined in law.I'm struggling to believe (as some posters are suggesting) that in this day and age a school would refuse permission for a child to attend because they were not baptised.
Well it definitely was the main motivation in our case. Do you reckon that we are unique?I doubt very much that that's the main motivation behind baptism. If that was the case, why the elaborate parties, bouncy castles etc that seem to go with all christenings nowadays.
Parents are perfectly entitled to say that they don't want their child to make their Communion (or, indeed, to send their child to a non denominational school).
I think the main point is they are given an option. If the parents dont want your children to take part its entirely up to them.So it is an 'opt-out' process. Why not go for 'opt-in', and let those who choose to participate do so.
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?