I'm not religious and neither is my husband, but the public schools in our area are terrible and moving isn't an option. Has anyone baptised their kids for the sake of education? It's not sitting well with me (not a fan of religion) but I want my kids to have a private education. I understand they will undergo religious studies as part of their schooling.
11 Replies
I can't believe you would even contemplate getting your child baptised just so they could attend a certain school! that's wrong, why not check out what other schools are in your area or near you
Did you read the whole post? Clearly she has looked at other schools in the area as she has said the public schools are terrible.
I say go for it. If you can afford it why not? You can't put a price on education.
In one sense, I get it. I completely understand that you want your child to go to a certain school and that school has a prerequisite....
On the other hand, it's completely hypocritical and making a joke of a religion/beliefs that some people take very seriously.
Are you aware the extent of the religious education in the school? My nephew is in prep and his teacher is a nun, he comes home from school and is God this and God that. If you do not support these beliefs then he is going to have a very hard time at school if he voices your opinions instead of going with what they are taught.
I am not religious at all, and I don't think I could pretend to be supportive of religious teachings to my child. Its hard enough with my nephew and he's not my child!
It's completely up to you and what you are comfortable with.
You will actually find it difficult to baptize if there isn't some sort of commitment already there. Priests want to see it before they agree to do it.
I'm assuming this is Catholic? If so either you or your husband need to provide your baptism certificate.
You also have to understand that religion underpins everything they teach and is a huge part of their curriculum. If you're not going to support it then don't do it.
With fear of ridicule we have done this.
I work with children from lots of different schools.
The children that attend this particular school are all beautifully behaved.
Our boy is outgoing and cheeky, we are on top of his behaviour all the time knowing with the wrong friends he will be a problem.
My husband attended catholic schools due to his behaviour.
I attended public.
This particular school is popular so we made the decision to baptise our children to give them a better chance to get in.
We are both not religious but have the up most respect for anyones religion/culture.
Our boy is in prep now, the school is fantastic, his friends are lovely the parents are lovely.
The beliefs they teach are in such a way, I think will benefit our child as a whole.
Best decision ever!
I know a few families who did not get in, they did tell us baptisim wasn't a requirement although it helped.
My son is not baptised (neither my partner nor myself are either) and he just graduated from 5 years at a private Catholic college. Is baptism really a deal-breaker for the school if the child is to take part in religious rites as part of their education anyway? I know they offer placement to baptised kids first but we still got in as there was room. Can't hurt to ask.
I went through 95% of my schooling in Catholic Schools and I am not Catholic. It definitely can't hurt to ask
Catholic schools have a certain number of spots open for non baptised children
My children attend a Catholic school but have not been baptized. I know my children's school are obliged to accept a certain percentage of non baptized children. Good luck.
I have 2 children also not baptised attending a Catholic school. My husband was raised catholic & I was not. Totally understand where you are coming from as baptising for no other reason did not sit well enough with me- I'm surprised how many actually do though! Have not had an issue with either enrolling them or any of the schooling. Only you can decide if doing that suits your personal comfort, wasnt an option for us- I told hubby if he wanted to then go ahead, but i expected commitment from him to the faith like taking them to mass etc - basically fully in or not an option for me, it is insulting to the people who's faith it is i think if it is a baptism for "show" or education.
It played quite a significant factor in the Baptism of our kids. Technically hubby is a Catholic, but I don't think they'd be baptised if it didn't make a difference. I'd do whatever I needed if I believed it was the better option for our children.
Of course we are happy to have all the religion that comes with a Catholic school, certainly wouldn't send them if we had any objection to that. I think it's good for them to know what they are choosing or not choosing in the future