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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to consider a Catholic Baptism for my baby?

113 replies

mothermary · 18/09/2010 21:28

Dh and I were brought up as Catholics.

We have not been to church for years, did not get married in the church. We both received what I would terms a good education.

I was wondering about baptising my baby as it would suit grandparents and because I understand that it could help with getting into a good school in the UK.

Would it mean that when it comes to school we would have to show some attendance record at church?

Are the Catholic Schools in the UK generally good ones?

My DH thinks we should not do this because of the fact they do not allow women priests, the extremely poor attitude towards women, the sex abuse scandal as well as the attitude towards homosexuality.

OP posts:
Original poster
mothermary · 18/09/2010 22:04

I did wonder about that Borderlass - Thank you.

OP posts:
CommanderCool · 18/09/2010 22:07

Do you believe it?

Original poster
mothermary · 18/09/2010 22:09

Believe what?

OP posts:
ZZZenAgain · 18/09/2010 22:13

don't think she believes it

CommanderCool · 18/09/2010 22:16

Catholicism - mortal sins, transubstantiation, creation, etc

Because unless you truly believe it, getting your child baptised into this church is wrong.

I'm an atheist and would never do it yo get my vhild into a school.

Original poster
mothermary · 18/09/2010 22:24

I think I might be agnostic???

I am sure others have got their children baptised.

I always liked Midnight Mass at Christmas Time?

OP posts:
Original poster
mothermary · 18/09/2010 22:26

[[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7184540.stm School choice boosting Baptism] ... there you go.

OP posts:
Original poster
mothermary · 18/09/2010 22:26

here is the link

OP posts:
onimolap · 18/09/2010 22:32

For schools entry, you would need both baptism and a reference from your PP to qualify for a faith place. Baptism alone would not suffice.

One question to ask yourselves is how much of your Catholic upbringing reamins in your psyche - if there is enough of a hold to leave you with a belief that the unbaptised would go to limbo, then you may want to consider it. Otherwise, I don't see, from what you've said, any reasons to seek this Sacrament.

CommanderCool · 18/09/2010 22:33

Oh well if you like midnight mass ...Hmm

Do you really want your children coming home from school telling you that Gid created the world, God made them etc

Wouldn't you feel compelled to point out that, no wine and bread do not literally turn into the body and flesh of Christ, that they will not go to hell and that the Pope is, in fact, fallible?

If you are a believer I can only think that thus stuff makes sense to you but I could not let my kids believe these things unchallenged. And they would find that very confusing.

But midnight mass is very atmospheric, yes.

RunawayWife · 18/09/2010 22:34

To get in to a church school you have to prove you go to church.

Snuppeline · 18/09/2010 22:36

I think OP is a troll given the timing of the post. Why say Catholic church is woman hating etc and don't really want child brought up catholic but thinking about it so he/she can go to good school while the pope is visiting. OP is probably some sad woman in the media looking to make a negative story on the back of the pope visit...

If you are for real OP I would advise you to find a good non-faith school as you would clearly be well out of place in a good faith school. So unhappiness for your entire family and confusion for your child as the child would be getting only mixed messages in their formative years. Whatever you do, best of luck to you and your dh and any prospective children. Or if your a jornalist - may your career take off at some stage!

Original poster
mothermary · 18/09/2010 22:38

Onimolap- yes I have thought about the limbo thing - and am still thinking.

CommanderCool - I could challenge though couldn't I?

If the church school gets state funding, then how are they allowed to ensure Catholics get priority?

Do some people just go for a flurry of church activity then?

OP posts:
ZZZenAgain · 18/09/2010 22:42

I thought so too snupperline, fairly obvious but in the end who cares?

Original poster
mothermary · 18/09/2010 22:44

Snuppeline - no I am not a troll. Your comment that I am some sad women -sounds really sexist to me, as well as your disparaging and patronising tone.

How exactly do you know that my child would be out of place at a faith school? I went to a Catholic School which was made up of children from diverse backgrounds and faiths.

The reason I think the church is anti-women is because a woman can not be a priest, a cardinal or a pope! Therefore it is sexist. Are you denying this? The position on birth control is also sexist.

OP posts:
scottishmummy · 18/09/2010 22:45

plenty other parents fake religious affiliation.you'd not be alone in doing so

Rockbird · 18/09/2010 22:50

You see, what you don't get is that people doing what you are considering doing is why we have to do it in the first place. I grew up in a very Irish catholic part of London but we all got into the catholic school, no forms, no requirement other than a baptism certificate and the priest recognising your face.

Because of people like you who try to wheedle their way in to the schools, people like me who are actually practising Catholics, who are part of the parish community and involved because that's what we do, are now forced to sign forms every week 2 bloody years before my child even starts at the school and jump through hoops to prove it.

Sorry to disappoint you but being baptised isn't enough any more. You do have to work at it and the people in charge will see through you like a shot. Though quite why you're asking, if catholics are so abhorrent, is beyond me.

Original poster
mothermary · 18/09/2010 22:51

To repeat I am not a troll.

I did namechange as I thought I would be in for some snide comments.

Thank you for those of you who genuinely commented.

OP posts:
Original poster
mothermary · 18/09/2010 22:57

I do realise that my post is not perfect timing with regards to the visit by the Pope.

Rockbird - I never said all Catholics were abhorrent!
You have got me thinking though - if the schools receive state funding then how can they restrict attendees to one faith?

OP posts:
ZZZenAgain · 18/09/2010 23:00

no way did you have a Catholic upbringing, you don't write like someone who did because you don't understand some things about RC. It comes across really fake to me.

COuldn't really care less but supperline is right IMO in thinking you are trolling. I would say you're a man too so what's the true agenda here? Shall we just get on to that instead?

scottishmummy · 18/09/2010 23:00

the middle classes are adept at doing whatever it takes to get in good schools.sudden god botheration,rent in catchment,arse licking

mothermary,you wont be only aspirational parent to have rejuvenated religious participation linked to a school

Original poster
mothermary · 18/09/2010 23:03

I did too have a Catholic upbringing.

Just because I do not understand the schooling system in the UK does not mean I do not understand RC.

I am not male.

I have not been to Church for a very long time.

OP posts:
scottishmummy · 18/09/2010 23:05

troll and a man.well i very never.squawking troll is really lame.still decent thread.

scottishmummy · 18/09/2010 23:06

dont sweat it mothermary.troll patrol love a conspiracy theory

ZZZenAgain · 18/09/2010 23:06

aye could be, still so obviuos

and so boring, could make a film about it even

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