NC, that is why I said "officially." Won't be the first time a religion says one thing and does another, I think they all do it.
After strenously objecting by the Jews, the LDS finally stopped officially baptizing Jews.
Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemmings now Mormons
by designs 30 Replies latest social current
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blondie
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poopsiecakes
This whole practice is very disturbing to me.
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designs
It is curious. The practice seems to be done for altruistic reasons and the cost of the ritual is borne by those in the Church.
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poopsiecakes
How do the Mormans count their number of members? Do these posthumous baptisms increase their numbers or does it have no effect since they're dead?
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botchtowersociety
They'll baptize us all after we die.
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slimboyfat
Ray Kurzweil will be okay, he doesn't plan on dying.
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blondie
Jesus Christ said, "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God" ( John 3:5 ). Even Jesus Christ Himself was baptized (see Matthew 3:13–17 ).
Many people have lived on the earth who never heard of the gospel of Jesus Christ and who were not baptized. Others lived without fully understanding the importance of the ordinance of baptism. Still others were baptized, but without proper authority.
Because He is a loving God, the Lord does not damn those people who, through no fault of their own, never had the opportunity for baptism. He has therefore authorized baptisms to be performed by proxy for them. A living person, often a descendant who has become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is baptized in behalf of a deceased person. This work is done by Church members in temples throughout the world.
Some people have misunderstood that when baptisms for the dead are performed, deceased persons are baptized into the Church against their will. This is not the case. Each individual has agency, or the right to choose. The validity of a baptism for the dead depends on the deceased person accepting it and choosing to accept and follow the Savior while residing in the spirit world. (WHAT!) The names of deceased persons are not added to the membership records of the Church.
The New Testament indicates that baptisms for the dead were done during the time of the Apostle Paul (see 1 Corinthians 15:29 ). This ordinance was restored with the establishment of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
(There is more information at the links above)
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botchtowersociety
Ray Kurzweil will be okay, he doesn't plan on dying.
Lulz.
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NewChapter
Oh, okay. So the baptism is not binding unless the deceased accepts it. That should be okay then.
I know all religions have their crazy. I used to believe a lot of crazy. But I'm still surprised when I learn something new.
NC
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ziddina
Hee hee!!
Well, if the attrition of Mormon ranks is as bad as reported on another recent thread, perhaps the Mormons believe that practice will "plump up" the numbers of their ranks???
[edited] .... Aw, rats...
Poopsiecakes beat me to it...
