De-baptism: the act of freeing oneself from the chains of religious imposition
cristiangcel
- 3 minutes read - 633 wordsIn a truly free world, the choice to belong to a cult should be something desired and not imposed by others. However, baptism, a rite imposed in the first moments of life when the person cannot make decisions, remains a current example of religious coercion and imposition. Choosing to de-baptize oneself becomes not only an act of liberation but also an essential political act in a state like Italy, which is subjected to the religious influences of the Vatican in politics and society.
Baptism, therefore, represents a sort of “mark” that marks the individual from the moment it is performed, not only obliging them without the possibility of choice to a cult but also rendering them effectively “not free”: for the Catholic Church, once baptized and thus becoming Catholics, individuals become, in all respects, subjects of the ecclesiastical hierarchies.
“The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds (nn. 1267 and 1269) that baptism ‘incorporates into the Church’ and ’the baptized no longer belongs to himself […] therefore he is called […] to be ‘obedient’ and ‘submissive’ to the leaders of the Church’”: In a normal world where we aspire to promote the dignity and individual freedom of all human beings, in my opinion, this should not be considered either acceptable or normal.
Starting from this point, many individuals grow up in environments where religion plays a fundamental role in personal and social decisions: often the choice to baptize a newborn is socially imposed due to family and social expectations. Therefore, de-baptizing oneself becomes a way to rebel against a society that imposes a forced vision that does not reflect one’s own values and ideas, becoming a way to assert one’s freedom of choice and to self-determine freely: not coincidentally, in many countries around the world, apostasy (i.e., the act of rejecting and abandoning a religion) is considered a crime punishable in some states even by death, highlighting once again how religious coercion is yet another tool for controlling individuals that violates fundamental human rights.
De-baptism should not only be viewed from an individual perspective but also as a social act: it is an act of protest not only against religious coercion but also to protest against ecclesiastical discrimination towards many categories of people, leading to stigmatization and fear of diversity. A contemporary example is homosexuals and the LGBT community, but also women, non-conscientious objector doctors, cohabiting individuals, and many other categories that are constantly targeted by religious authorities (not only Catholic).
De-baptism thus also becomes a clear signal of protest against the Church’s positions on ethical and social issues, highlighting the desire to redefine one’s beliefs and to reclaim one’s autonomy. The pioneer of de-baptism is the UAAR, which has initiated this very important phenomenon in contemporary society through its campaigns and represents the “outburst” of many who are tired of such oppressive church policies.
So, how to de-baptize? Just download the UAAR form UAAR form and follow the procedures indicated on the De-baptism page also on the UAAR website. In short, it really takes very little to carry out this very important act, and if you need help or have doubts, just consult the FAQ page or contact UAAR via email at soslaicità@uaar.it.
Choosing to de-baptize oneself is not just a matter of faith, but also of dignity and respect for one’s identity, as well as a protest against the religious authorities that still discriminate against many categories and contribute to an unjust world. Therefore, if you feel the need to assert your freedom, do not hesitate: I did it, and I believe many should do it; a small act like this can send a clear signal to say enough to such policies.