JW Children and baptism

[Srecko Sostar]

⁷ Children are not fully developed in their ability to think, to reason, or to recognize and avoid danger. (1 Cor. 13:11) 

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2019400

 

However, contrary to statement above they should be baptized as soon as possible as we can see from article bellow, said by WTJWorg.

 

 

Should My Child Put Off Baptism?

Occasionally, even when children qualify for baptism, their parents may decide that it should be postponed. What may be their reasons?

I fear that if my child gets baptized, he might later fall into serious sin and get disfellowshipped. Is it reasonable to believe that a young person who puts off baptism will not be accountable to God for his conduct? Solomon directed the following words to young ones: “Know that on account of [your actions] the true God will bring you into judgment.” (Eccl. 11:9) And with no exception as to age, Paul gave this reminder: “Each of us will render an account for himself to God.”—Rom. 14:12.

Both baptized and unbaptized worshippers are accountable to God. Do not forget, Jehovah protects his servants by ‘not letting them be tempted beyond what they can bear.’ (1 Cor. 10:13) As long as they ‘keep their senses’ and fight temptation, such ones can count on God’s support. (1 Pet. 5:6-9) A Christian mother writes: “Children who are baptized have more reasons to stay away from the bad things of the world. My son, baptized at 15, feels that baptism is a protection. ‘You don’t think about doing something contrary to Jehovah’s law,’ he said. Baptism is a strong motivation for righteousness.”

If you have trained your children by word and example to obey Jehovah, you can be confident that they will continue to do so after they are baptized. Proverbs 20:7 states: “The righteous is walking in his integrity. Happy are his sons after him.”

I would like to see my child reach certain goals first. Young people should learn to work so that, in time, they can be self-sufficient. But there is danger in encouraging them to take up a lifestyle centered on education and financial security instead of true worship. Regarding a “seed,” or the word of the Kingdom, that does not grow, Jesus said: “As for the one sown among the thorns, this is the one hearing the word, but the anxiety of this system of things and the deceptive power of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.” (Matt. 13:22) Plans for a life that subordinates spirituality to worldly goals can snuff out a young person’s desire to serve God.

Commenting on youths who qualify for baptism but whose parents do not agree, an experienced elder said: “Preventing a young one from getting baptized can break his spiritual momentum and lead to discouragement.” And a traveling overseer wrote: “A youth could begin feeling spiritually insecure or inferior. He might look to the world to gain a feeling of accomplishment.”

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2011441

 

[George88]

When individuals like you, Srecko, go to great lengths to manipulate articles with the intention of distorting their original meaning, it becomes crucial for the public to recognize such flagrant misconduct.

[Pudgy]

What part did he distort?

It looks like STRAIGHT QUOTES from Watchtower publications.

Again …. what part did he distort?

[Pudgy]

…. and is it “flagrant misconduct” to analyze what someone has stated publically?

Explain THAT!

[Pudgy]

…. It would help if things that were quoted verbatim were inside quotation marks   “___”. 

It should not be a capital offense if this basic rule is disregarded ….

…. if it’s a first time.

[BTK59]

Since it seems that (Pudgy) is once again starting the year by defending apostate views, just as he has been doing for about a decade now, I wonder what the difference is when statements in quotes are manipulated to misrepresent the facts.

What sets "danger" apart from "spiritual maturity"? What is it about ex-witness Srecko post that escapes your understanding?

Pudgy, please enlighten us: which path would you suggest Christian children should follow while navigating this harsh world? It is high time you took responsibility for your conduct. Do you believe that parents have no responsibility in ensuring their children are raised properly? Shouldn't parents educate their children about the dangers of the world?

Shouldn't spiritual leaders guide Christian children to obey God, instead of leaving it solely to parents? This goes against Jesus's instructions and guidance. What wisdom do you aim to impart?

[Pudgy]

Srecko Sostar’s premise was ONLY about baptisms at a very young age. 

As usual, BTK et al, your train has jumped the tracks and headed off as wreckage into the woods. 

Your agenda is interfering with your comprehension and attention span.

”WDS - The Sword That Cuts Both Ways”.

[BTK59]

@Pudgy, let's address the straightforward question in paragraph 7. The Watchtower brings up the point that not all children possess the capacity to discern when an adult is deceiving them. Undeniably, this statement holds true. How does that particular point relate to the development of spiritual maturity?

7. (a) Why may a devious abuser find it easy to fool a child, and how might the abuser do so? (b) What may be the results of such lies?

How can a young age baptism possibly be linked to a predatory mindset? Is it plausible for a 66-year-old to distribute child pornography while at the same time embracing baptized grandchildren? These two scenarios are not correlated. Are you implying that a baptized 15-year-old should be immune to danger while a baptized 30-year-old woman is not?

How would that 15-year-old spiritually mature girl know a 66-year-old male is involved with child porn when a 30-year-old doesn't?

If you're going to critique any writing, it should be done universally and not just targeted at a specific organization that you have a dislike for. The sword of criticism should be wielded impartially. First, it needs to make sense.

The actions individuals take in private are unrelated to the foresight or spirituality of others. However, they do highlight the potential risks that children may encounter, emphasizing the importance for parents to educate their children about these dangers. This responsibility is no different from that of any spiritual leader who should guide their followers according to Christ's teachings. It is essential to note that baptism does not shield anyone from exposure to such risks, nor does it guarantee anyone's safety.

That is the distortion of Srecko's post, refute it if you can.

[Pudgy]

1 hour ago, BTK59 said:

. It is essential to note that baptism does not shield anyone from exposure to such risks, nor does it guarantee anyone's safety.
That is the distortion of Srecko's post, refute it if you can.

…. since neither Srecko Sostar nor I made any such assertion …. not even CLOSE … there is no need to refute your false premise(s).

 

[George88]

2 hours ago, BTK59 said:

7. (a) Why may a devious abuser find it easy to fool a child, and how might the abuser do so? (b) What may be the results of such lies?

Understanding the implications of articles before forming an opinion is crucial. I rely on the principles written in scripture to gain wisdom and apply them to contemporary situations.

Take, for example, the account of "Lot" and the perilous situation involving his young and innocent daughters. Astonishingly, he displayed a willingness to subject them to the unspeakable act of sexual abuse to protect the angels in his midst. Now, the question arises: how can we examine and extrapolate from this ancient narrative to shed light on contemporary circumstances? In Genesis 19:1-9, we find our starting point.

What motivated these men to desire sexual relations with the angels, while Lot was ready to compromise his own daughter's purity? These events also lead us to question why his daughters behaved the way they did in the cave. Genesis 19:30-38

Who is to blame, Lot or his daughters? Nowadays, should parents be held accountable for the actions of their children if they have not taught them moral values or helped them understand the reality of the world? In certain courts in America, the answer is increasingly becoming affirmative.

Hypothetically, should the parents be held responsible for the repulsive behavior of the 66-year-old man depicted in the illustration?

These scenarios have nothing to do with baptism at a young age! The key point is that spiritual maturity is important for understanding Christian principles and the word of God. While it is agreed that babies should not be baptized, it is crucial to recognize that a young person who demonstrates a deep understanding of their moral responsibilities before God can't simply apply common sense when faced with a distorted mindset if an adult can't.

A thinking person cannot deny the correlation between common sense and spiritual maturity.

Are there any other texts that can address sexual abuse, regardless of whether it involves a child or an adult?

How about Leviticus 18:21

21 “‘Do not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molek, for you must not profane the name of your God. I am the Lord.

Is child marriage a form of sacrifice to Moloch? Especially when the child is not willing to participate in some cases.
What mindset should a Christian couple embrace today to effectively guide their children to ensure their spiritual well-being when the worldview is NOT set in scripture as compared to instructing them to be vigilant with harmful situations?

Now, the question arises: do all parents around the globe truly have their children's best interests at heart?

https://www.marriagebuilders.com/what-is-sacrifice-and-should-it-be-used-in-marriage.htm#:~:text=Sacrificing one's own interests for the interests of,marriage is ideal — what it should be.

"Sacrificing one's own interests for the interests of someone you love is a time-honored way of demonstrating your care for that person. So, in marriage, many feel that the more spouses give sacrifically to each other, the more their marriage is ideal — what it should be."

Child Marriage: The Devastating End of Childhood

https://www.savethechildren.org/us/charity-stories/child-marriage-a-violation-of-child-rights
https://www.unicef.org/protection/child-marriage

https://www.ohchr.org/en/women/child-and-forced-marriage-including-humanitarian-settings
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_marriage_in_the_United_States

"Between 2000 and 2018, some 300,000 minors were legally married in the United States.[16] The vast majority of child marriages (reliable sources vary between 78% and 95%) were between a minor girl and an adult man"

Why aren't the ills of this world, be a top concern for people rather than empty words is beyond me.

[Pudgy]

Most everything is “beyond you” George, because you are hung up on your agenda, when the thread is about the appropriateness of JW customs, traditions, and POLICIES OF BAPTISMS.

Why don’t you start your OWN thread, and see what kind of response you get?

See how many people respond to your diversionary agenda defending the indefensible.

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[George88]

It is important to address your delusional-driven agenda and also your use of sock puppets. Srecko's illustration appears to be completely unrelated. It is essential to familiarize oneself with the true meaning of the term "agenda" as it applies in practical situations, not nonsensical ones.