Atheist Wins Right To Have Baptism Removed

John Hunt, an atheist, has won the right to have his baptism removed from Church of England records after arguing that he was too young to give his consent to the ceremony. John was baptised at the age of five months but by the time he was eleven the oppressive nature of elementary school, and the inherit unfairness that comes along with picking soccer teams had convinced him that there was no god. After the church told him that his baptism could not be deleted because it is a matter of historical record, John secured a "de-baptism" certificate produced by the National Secular Society (NSS), rejecting "superstitions" or the idea of original sin. The certificate reads: "I reject all its creeds and other such superstitions in particular the perfidious belief that any baby needs to be cleansed of original sin." This week the church finally agreed to remove the record saying the entry would be "corrected."

And he had to fight for it?

[Dreen]

Excluding yourself from Christian church (Catholic, at least) is a standard procedure, I personally know at least 2 people who did this and I am considering this myself. All you need is your a copy of baptism certificate and two witnesses. Many people do it.

Re:

[rohan972]

In catholic school religious ed I was taught that communion at least once a year was a requirement. (Found it here: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07402a.htm [newadvent.org] After a year of not taking it, starting at 15, I considered myself officially outside their organisation, no paperwork required.

The fact that they have my name on their books somewhere is not relevant to me, since they also have on their books that you need a man in a dress to contact god for you and forgive you in god's behalf.

Re:

[Scott Scott]

Just one more thing wrong in the church annals. It's too bad that the church records are so heavily relied upon for genealogy, statistical research, and for certain clergy members to decide which politician needs to be chided publicly for not doing everything in accordance with what they want. Since when is removing a baptism record any different from an annulment, anyway?

I can sympathize but . . .

[KeithJM]

Why go to that much effort? It's one thing if you believe in it -- I can see a religious person being upset if someone "covertly" baptised them. But why would an atheist care if someone applied a superstitious ceremony to them when they were too young to remember? Are they just worried about the Church of England using their baptism to bolster their numbers?

Re:

[Dreen]

Because of statistics the church boasts in some places. Over in my country, for example, statistics say 90-95% is Roman Catholic and they use it for political influence significantly.
Although it doesn't make sense in all scenarios.