In many Christian traditions, baptism is generally conferred on infants, who cannot consent to the sacrament. What happens if, as teenagers or adults, they later reject their initiation into Christianity? This paper will reflect on the Debaptism Movement, which has been gaining popularity across the West in recent decades. It will begin with a history of the movement, including notable figures such as the founder of Raelism Claude Vorilhon and nonreligious communities such as American Atheists and the British National Secular Society. What are the ideologies, practices, and forms of community that draw nonbelievers together? Then, it will examine debaptism rituals and anti-sacraments. In light of testimonies from those who have been debaptized, how do certificates of debaptism and tongue-in-cheek ceremonies that use hair-dryers to symbolically reverse baptism function to establish non-religious identity? Third, it will consider the critique that the Debaptism Movement presents to theologies and practices of infant baptism. What does the Debaptism Movement share in common with perspectives from Anabaptist theologians such as Stuart Murray, and what does this say about the nature of Christian community and discipleship in the 21st century? Fourth, it will explore Christian responses to the Debaptism Movement in works such as Thomas Scirghi’s The Sacrament of Baptism. Unfortunately, many Christian thinkers have been dismissive of those who turn away from the religion given to them at birth. Might there be a better way? What can Christians learn from the beliefs and practices that undergird Debaptism, what do they reveal about the way Christians understand and live out their shared ecclesial life, and how might theologians seriously engage (a)theologies of baptism as they seek to dialogue with the modern, secular world?
In many Christian traditions, baptism is generally conferred on infants, who cannot consent to the sacrament. What happens if, as teenagers or adults, they later reject their initiation into Christian faith? This paper will reflect on the Debaptism Movement, which has been gaining popularity across the West in recent years. It will begin with a history of the movement, outline the ideologies, practices, and forms of community that draw nonbelievers together, and explore Christian responses. What can Christian communities learn from the beliefs and practices that undergird Debaptism, what do they reveal about the way Christians understand and live out their shared ecclesial life, and how might theologians seriously engage (a)theologies of baptism as they seek to dialogue with the modern, secular world?