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January 21, 2013

Becoming de-baptised

The Times-Tribune

CORBIN —

For five bucks we can become “de-baptized.” The National Secular Society of England offers anyone paying that simple fee, liberation from Christianity, the church and all “spiritual superstitions” attached thereto. This Society sees baptism before the age of reason and consent as a form of child abuse.

 In order to achieve this new churchless, Christian-less and superstition-less status, we are to make a formal, in-writing rejection of all Christian creeds, practices and observances. To date some 200,000 Brits claim this bold emancipation from their baptism; forever committed to follow an “intelligent life” free of the mindless mores and manners taught by Christian pastors as well as all who purport to be spiritual guides. This Society also offers freedom from the misguided influences of religious parents. Proudly framing and displaying one’s “de-baptism” certificate affords a public opportunity to trash centuries-old religious fears and qualms of conscience. All church buildings, though many endowed with wondrous and meritorious architecture, stand in testimony of our forefathers’ weakness of mind and will. These same church edifices stand in witness and testimony of Christian clergy who are polished in the art of controlling the masses of the uneducated and foolish.

As such a clergyman, I am identified as the prime target of this Society’s efforts to curb and terminate religion and most especially Christianity. It is amazing that it has taken some 2,000 years for human intelligence to finally develop adequately to see through the crafty fraudulence of us religious leaders.

 It is also amazing that we clergy are so gifted and clever as to teach God’s existence along with the unbelievable story of his Son’s birth from a virgin, followed by the outrageous Gospel story of this Son performing thousands of miraculous signs — “the blind see, lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised and the Gospel is preached to the poor.” [Mt. 11:5, 6]

It is most evident to me that the valid portrayal of “weakness of mind and will” are those “de-baptized” who so accuse the millions of believing Christians of the past 2,000 years.

To view the astounding perfection of all creatures along with the life and wondrous signs of Jesus Christ, and still not believe in God and his Son, contradicts the function of the most elemental mind.

“Come and see what God has done, how awesome his works in man’s behalf!” [Ps 66:5] “I tell you the truth; no one can enter the Kingdom of God unless he is born again of water and the spirit.” [John 3:5]

The de-baptized identify themselves as the de-born — forever lifeless.

The Rev. John Burkhart Ph.D, is a retired Episcopal priest and professor of psychology:   jandmburkhart@yahoo.com

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