How common is it to be baptized as a baby but still turn out atheist in the end?

[Anonymous]

One of my relatives (older member in the family) insisted why I didn't have a religious wedding if I was baptized as Catholic. Babies can't speak nor decide so I guess it doesn't count. Though grandma said I'm still Catholic by default since it's a permanent mark. Though that's only by title and the documents but I don't practice it.

I only said we weren't too much into religion. After insisting so much, she asked if we're atheists and I said yes. Then we changed the topic. I wonder how often that this happens; someone gets baptized as a baby but they end up not following tradition nor religion at all... and instead identify themselves as atheists.

Would be I one of these few cases or is this common?

[Lliam]

I don't know, but it's the case with me.

I was raised Catholic, baptized as an infant, became an altar boy when I was 8 years old, received first communion and confirmation.

Later in life, after much study on the subject, I broke away from religion. I am now fairly confident in atheism although I do have non-religious spiritual values.

Regardless of being non-religious, I still have a soft spot for Catholicism.

When I was 42, my wife got married in a Catholic church in her home town where her parents and family are all Catholic. It made her parents happy.
The formal pomp and ceremony was nice. My wife got to wear a formal wedding dress and be a beautiful princess for her special day.

[PavlovsCogk]

What would you say if evidence of reincarnation meets you?

[Lliam]

@PavlovsCogk. Evidence is evidence. I don't have any ideological reason to reject credible evidence. So I might believe it.

[PavlovsCogk]

Is this considered a legitimate form of research? med.virginia.edu/.../

[Lliam]

@PavlovsCogk. Legitimate? Yes. Conclusive? I don't know. I have heard about stuff like this but haven't bothered to study it in depth.

[strateguy632]

Well atheists are actually a tiny percent, and only part of those were baptized but... i agree with you that baptism was "done to the kid" not the kid's faith... This is why protestant replace adult baptism in water instead of when baby... Still a water baptism on a child does serve to replace the ceremony circumcision, better to add water than subtract peice of body... but baptism won't affect faith. so if you don't believe catholic, then the baptism cannot make you catholic.

[Anonymous]

It happens all the time. Baptism has nothing to do with a person's beliefs as they grow older and are able to make decisions for themselves.

[Asker]

Indeed. My non-religious wedding at the courthouse was perfect. The greetings and support I got from my friends and family publically (at the party) was good enough. I don't recall a single moment (when I started forming memories) of ever identifying myself as Catholic.

[jshm2]

LOL, those are totally unrelated things, kiddo.

But you're likely not atheists - just anti-Christian, due to family drama or to get back at family.

[Asker]

Nope, I don't believe in any deity, don't like the ridiculous ''kneeling on your knees'' and repent for your sins things and definitely do not want a savior dictating my life.

[Asker]

I never accepted any savior since babies can't talk.

[SmokinAces2000]

I always found it stupid to baptize babies

[Asker]

Indeed it is. I think if someone wants to be baptized, it should be when the child is much older, isn't pressured by the family and makes the decision on their own. For instance if he's 14 and decides to become religious, fine.

[BCRanger10]

Quite often.

[Asker]

Indeed. My husband and I will not do that with our baby boy. I think someone should decide that on their own when they're older.

[BCRanger10]

Why's that?

[Asker]

Babies can't talk and are born without any knowledge. They're new to the world. How is it fair selecting a specific religion for them even fair? Let them decide when they can speak and are older.

[BCRanger10]

What does fairness have to do with it?

[alice55]

very common

[DanLee9898]

I doubt anyone knows