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Granted, a Dan Savage espousing infant baptism does offer a juicy subject for a newspaper article or a chapter of a book. Hey, it might even be a fun subject for a TV sitcom. Here’s the scenario: a rabid atheist overcomes all kinds of obstacles to have this kid baptized–evil priests, outmoded traditions, a sneering spouse. All this in the company of a supportive Irish family cheering him on all the way. Nothing can keep a good man down and, as a gung ho “cultural Catholic,” our hero can let nothing stand in the way of what he sets out to do: have his kid baptized. For this one, you wouldn’t need a laugh track.
As a sacrament, baptism symbolizes the introduction of a new member into the faith community. It is the first step of a lifelong faith journey. The role of parents and godparents is to insure that the infant/child is nurtured and instructed in religious faith until he or she is old enough to make faith decisions and commitments on one’s own.
Chicago
