Jehovah's Witnesses - One, U2 - Zero

[lyons24000]

This is kinda upsetting.

People already hate us enough.

[Rei]

That's quite unfortunate that they both fall on the same day and place.

[Jayelle]

What the heck is a mass christening?

I thought JW's didn't do infant baptism...

[Syphon the Sun]

As far as I'm aware, the term christening is used to apply to any baptism, not just infant baptism.

[Luet]

Yeah, I thought that term was very weird. It's actually a 3 day convention that is made up of 10-45 minute bible discourses. Only one 30 minute part, out of all three days, is for people getting baptized at that particular convention (there are three times a year that people can get baptized). I thought it odd that they referred to the convention as a mass christening. Anyway, I'll be going to the convention next weekend in Amherst, MA. And going to a butterfly conservatory on the way!

[Taalcon]

Doesn't the term "christening" mean "anointing"?

[Luet]

Dictionary.com says that it means "the ceremony of baptism". Christening is not a term that witnesses use in any context, however, so it was weird that the article used it.

[Taalcon]

Anyone reporting on any religion that they know nothing about is certain to make errors (It's hard to find anyone reporting about LDS who don't get something wrong!).

Perhaps one of our Catholic posters can clarify, but I did some additional looking into it to confirm what I thought: Christening seems to refer to the entire Baptism/Initiation ceremony which does involve a ritual renouncing of Satan, the baptism itself (immersion or sprinkling with water), an anointing with oil, and a clothing with a garment representing "putting on Christ".

Personally, I think it's quite cool, seeing how 'christ' means 'anointed', and thus, according to this tradition, one literally becomes an 'anointed one' / a Christian, as they begin the Christian walk.

All really have nothing to do with the Original Post, but just some additional info for the heck of it

[Jebus]

Yea, and the godparents have to renounce Satan for the kid during an infant baptism in Catholicism, I had to do that when I became my cousin's godfather. Speaking of that little miss I should probably go see her sometime soon.