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bastardish t1_j9ziz2o wrote

First. Is this for you or for a child/infant? If it is for an infant, there are some priests and churches who would give a baptism ASAP if the child's life is in danger.

But, I'm assuming this is for you, so...

Second. Have you been baptized at any time in your life? If so, the majority of Christian churches will not "re-baptize" you. If you have been baptized before (even as an infant) and are looking for a new baptism, you are very limited in the churches that would consider doing this - as most Christians consider a "second baptism" by water to be pretty much a theological impossibility/nothing.

Third. Do you have a personal set of beliefs about the manner of baptism (sprinkle, pour, dunk)? Most Christians accept all as valid, but some only accept full immersion. So, how wet ya wanna get?

I'm willing to get into an argument about this, but generally speaking you can just be baptized by any other Christian and it doesn't quite matter who exactly does the drippin'. It's pretty much only Baptist and more fringe-y churches that give a shit and will re-baptize people. Although debates on this have ranged widely, the Council of Trent in the 12th Century pretty much canonized into the Western tradition that it's main thing was that the right trinitarian words were used.

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hiomiojo t1_j9zqm9w wrote

Yes looking for our child. Was raised catholic but open to any Christian baptism.

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bastardish t1_ja0g35c wrote

I do not know how Catholics prep a family for baptism - but if I were you and I had family going to a parish in town, I’d seek to baptize there.

If you are looking to try something different (maybe you don’t dig Catholicism or want a non-male priest or something) I’d recommend you check into the churches closest to you that are a part of one of the following denominations:

  • Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
  • The Episcopal Church
  • Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
  • United Methodist Church

All of these denominations are “mainline” (generally middle-of-the-road and nonextremist) Protestant and baptize infants.

All churches will want a good faith meeting with you and the other parent if they are involved, and would expect to you to commit to raise your child in the Christian faith. No one will ask for money, and frankly a lot of families do just come in for a baptism at a church and are never seen again except the rare Christmas service.

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