The Church is j8ust wrong on this.
In making this baptism a public event, they are stepping out of the church realm and stepping into showmanship.
If this guy wants to get baptised, and the Pastor believes he is a genuine Born Again Christian, then he can baptise him in any water deep enough to immerse him.
To DEMAND that they be allowed to use a privately owned park, even a public owned park, that is pushing the envelope, and FORCING people to demand they watch almost.
They can find a spot on the Rappohannock somewhere that no one has to see this event.
Unless the whole idea is to make this a show or something, then that proves my point.
Christians pay the same taxes as everyone else and should be able to use the park as they see fit as long as they don't intervere with anyone else.
Hi, Race. I don't know the pastor or his church and it's only a handful of people. Not all churches have baptimals and some people want to do it the way Jesus did it. I don't see any harm in it, really. I do know that along the Rappahannock there in Fredericksburg about the only clear spot to hold such a ceremony is the public park. Riverfront access nowadays is difficult due to easements and other encumbrances.
Aren't public parks open to all members of the public? Are Christians now not members of the public?
Would you be similarly offended to witness a non-christen activity? If it was a swim party would that constitute "showmanship"? No one is "forced" to watch and no one is harmed by watching. And if you are offended by others participating in a christen activity, then the problem is yours, not theirs.
Should churches be built with high walls around the perimeter so you aren't forced to see people entering the church? You act like an act of faith is so horrendous that you need protection from catching even a glimpse.
Whoa there, brother Race .... Two of my children were baptized in 'public waters' at a community park. It has been for years, and is, a tradition by that particular church.
I came across a magazine in the Dr's office yesterday ... I think it was called 'Nostalgia' and one of the submitted pictures was a 1920's baptism somewhere in the South.
The point I want to make is ... I don't think this is grandstanding, but a response to a threat.
Which came first ... we're gonna' baptise, or you'd better not baptize?
The only warriors worth their salt in this country are the Christian soldiers.
Or is that rhetorical these days?
I love you brother, but I think you're wrong here.
Most Churches do this in private because they have a tub. This Church is a poor community church that doesn't. This isn't showmanship, but your bigotry against Christians is showing.
"In making this baptism a public event, they are stepping out of the church realm and stepping into showmanship...To DEMAND that they be allowed to use a privately owned park, even a public owned park, that is pushing the envelope...They can find a spot on the Rappohannock somewhere that no one has to see this event."
They need to do the same thing with anyone caught reading a Bible.
Why should someone have the right to force their views on another, especailly in a public park where people should have the right to picnic unoffended.
Let them read their Bibles at home... </sarcasm>
Ed
I think you need to read the other two articles on this subject first. There was no DEMAND until some park employee took it upon himself to try to stop a baptism that was already in progress last month.
River baptisms are quite tradional in many areas; I'd say the right to perform them has been grandfathered. And since other people, who were not being baptized, were wading in that same river and not asked to leave, I'd also say the park has no leg to stand on. Especially since they had no written policy and are only now trying to come up with one, after the fact, and only to control baptisms.
I hope you brought your asbestos jammies, Race...
I would hope you are saying that in jest.!!
It is neither your, nor my business if someone wants to proclaim their faith publicly.
Who are you, and what have you done with RaceBannon?
Uh, then I guess John the Baptist was wrong, too?
Where in the world did John the Baptist baptise people? I don't understand folks who think the only natural place for a baptism is in a 6' x 6' cement pond in a church.