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For many the Catholic Church is a cultural tradition handed down from generation to generation. It does not have anything to do with its teachings or the faith. It is going through the motions as the social thing to do without the benefits of the Holy Spirit.

One thing the Catholic Church should change is when Baptism is performed. Baptism should occur as the result of a person’s commitment to Christ; not some formality performed on a baby. This type of ritualized behavior sets the stage for the idea that if you engage in the ritual, you will be given the blessing even if you have no idea what the ritual means. This does not encourage spiritual growth and certainly does not give Catholics, so detached from the faith, a moral conviction about homosexuality and abortion.

When my son Ben was baptize as an infant in the Catholic Church, it was impressed on me and my husband what the "content" of the faith is, to which we were instroducing our son through this "gateway" to the Sacraments.

I know that at some times and in some places, the instructional level has been very low: and this has done deep, long-term harm to individuals ---generations of individuals --- and to the Church itself.

Nowadays, believers are instructed very thoroughly when they are confirmed, suually as teenagers but also as adults. At least I know thery are in my parish: because I'm on the RCIA (Adult Teaching) team, and we make sure the people who come into the Faith as adults --- whether via Baptism, Confirmation, or somply being a "returnee" --- know what the requirements are in terms of faith and morals.

One thing the Catholic Church should change is when Baptism is performed. Baptism should occur as the result of a person’s commitment to Christ; not some formality performed on a baby. This type of ritualized behavior sets the stage for the idea that if you engage in the ritual, you will be given the blessing even if you have no idea what the ritual means.

Dear friend in Christ, infant baptism dates back to the earliest centuries of the church, as corroborated by the Early Church Fathers.

"Baptize first the children; and if they can speak for themselves, let them do so. Otherwise, let their parents or other relatives speak for them."
St. Hippolytus of Rome ("The Apostolic Tradition," 215 A.D.)

Infant Baptism is biblical. In Acts 10:47-48, we read that Peter baptized the entire house of Cornelius, which generally included infants and young children. There is not one word in Scripture about baptism being limited to adults. In Acts 16:15, Paul baptized Lydia and her entire household. The word "household" comes from the Greek word "oikos" which is a household that includes infants and children. Paul baptizes the household based on Lydia's faith, not the faith of the members of the household. This demonstrates that parents can present their children for baptism based on the parents' faith, not the children's faith.