Infant baptism is entirely meaningless as the infant has no choice in the matter. A “de-baptism” has as much impact on the individual’s immortal soul.
I disagree with you. The soul is marked forever at Baptism — even as an infant. It can’t be undone.
Are you aware of the Baptismal promises a person makes? Or the parent and godparents make?
**Infant baptism is entirely meaningless as the infant has no choice in the matter. **
You are looking at this, it seems, from the viewpoint of man, not the viewpoint of God.
Dr. Thorne,
these are people leaving the Catholic Church (in the article), where the solemn teaching in regard to Baptism is this:
1. It is a Sacrament
2. That imprints a character on the soul
3. Water is necessary for its administration
4. It removes all stain of Original Sin and all Actual Sin, along with all temporal punishment due to Actual Sin.
5. It is necessary for salvation.
6. It can be validly received even by infants.
(Taken from This Is The Faith, p228, Canon Francis Ripley)
For us, this is not just symbolic, but true. And likewise, while the adults can leave the Church, if they wish, Church teaching is that Baptism is forever, indelible. Just as people leaving Christ’s body are a true tragedy, FRiend.