Following atheist trend, Britons seek 'de-baptism'

Voluntary 'De-Baptism' Rising in Europe

Churches in France and elsewhere in Europe have been battling falling numbers, a trend evident not only in the empty pews, but in the sharp fall in baptisms. But "de-baptisms", a church's deletion of one's name from the official baptismal registry at a parishioner's request, are a recent phenomenon, and they are taking place in both Protestant and Catholic communities.

There are no official statistics, but experts and activists count the numbers of those seeking de-baptism in the tens of thousands, and websites offering informal "de-baptism" certificates have mushroomed.

Anne Morelli, who heads a center for religion and secularity studies at the Free University of Brussels, says de-baptisms, both official and unofficial, increased in 2011, particularly in the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and Austria. The numbers, she said, reflect public anger at the church pedophilia scandals.

Terry Sanderson, head of the National Secular Society in Britain, agrees. "I think what sparked the real desire of people to leave the church, particularly the Catholic church, were the huge child-abuse scandals that revolted so many people [that] they no longer wanted to be associated with it," he said. "That's when people started to leave in large numbers."

A decade ago, Sanderson's society posted an unofficial "de-baptism certificate" on its website, which has been downloaded more than 100,000 times to date.

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Temperance

Jan 22, 2012

Lol, you can't be "de-baptized"! Thats like being de-born. These people really don't understand what baptism is. Baptism wipes away original sin. Original sin is the sin that Adam & Even committed when they ate the fruit from the Tree of knowledge of Good & Evil. For them to be "de-baptized" wouldn't they have to eat from that tree again! Lol! These people have NO idea about what baptism is.

Damascus Route

Jan 21, 2012

It goes without saying that child abuse within the Church is a most serious issue and should be dealt with without any compromise and with stealth.
As for Anne Morelli's claims which are probably correct to a certain extent, there is a very different reason for 'these de-baptisms'. Morelli as such is known a an outright atheist who has a very extreme dislike towards Christianity as a whole. On top of this, the Free-University of Brussels to which she belongs is a free-masons' beehive.
Most of these so-called 'de-baptised former Christians' were in a first instance much too lazy to get up on a Sunday morning to attend service and much to full of themselves in order to pick up the Holy Scriptures and read something useful for once. It's a simple as that. On top of this, let's not forget that our Pope has lately been encouraging us to be brave and to pick up our staff in order to proclaim God's glory. This is what really matters not a few Christians who have decided to jump of the train at their own risk and peril.
I am personally confident that the Catholic Church will eventually come out of all this as a much more solid and strengthened entity. Haven't we been through tougher times?

tbswv

Jan 20, 2012

One thing becomes clear when I watch this video. Atheists have conviction. They are not worried about what others think. Why can't Catholics have the same conviction and zeal? Let's stand up have some backbone and not apologize for our Catholic Faith. Tackle the misconceptions people have about Catholicism: ie, indulgences, Crusades, Inquisition, the real precense, the priesthood. Challenge priests …More

Holy Cannoli

Jan 20, 2012

This article and video demonstrate the extreme cases of unbelief. These individuals are the polar opposites of our Christian saints.

Although interesting, the story does not represent the 10s of millions of former Christians worldwide who, because of a specific or generalized disenchantment with organized religion, have become 'benign' apostates. These millions will not go to the extreme and seek to be “debabptized” but they will not practice their faith either or, if they do, they will practice it in a lazy do-it-yourself manner.

Which group is “worse”?

Some might say that the “de-baptizers” are worse because of their cynicism and mockery of what others hold sacred.

Maybe.

As I see it, the second group of pseudo-beleivers is much more dangerous because their unbelief is masked in a seemingly more rational cloud of “Well, I'm Catholic, I read the bible and I pray but I don't go to mass or receive the sacraments.”

Wouldn't the mind-set of the second group, being more “rational” and less circus-like, have a wider appeal and acceptance to many others rather than some idiot with a hair dryer?

BrTomFordeOFMCap

Jan 20, 2012

The accompanying video is sad. Those atheists who try to claim reason as their exclusive province are guilty of the height of arrogance. What amazes me is this idea that one has the right to say what one wants to. One has the right to free speech once one is seeking to contribute to the pursuit of truth and entering into a genuine dialogue with others in the process. "Saying what I like' is a perversion of that right. The right to free speech not only carries with it the duty to seek the truth wherever it may lead but to give others a fair hearing and showing respect for their own journey to the truth. What is most evident is the complete lack of charity. Indeed I sense a fear behind the bravado and the mockery - maybe these people fear that if they do not shout loud enough they might hear God speaking to them.