Baptism for the Dead
I’ve watched with fascination the discussion of baptism for the dead, both in online message boards I frequent and in the larger media, after the news that Mitt Romney’s atheist father-in-law was posthumously. Maybe I’m so fascinated because, like the gay marriage issue, there’s a “we mean well” attitude among Mormon church members that makes them completely tone deaf to legitimate, if sometimes blistering, criticism, and instead they just perceive persecution. (I’ve concluded that Prop 8 was less a bold moral stand than it was a gross miscalculation by elderly men who didn’t know how much the tide had turned. But, I digress.)
I’ve tried to put my finger on what is so bothersome about BFTD to so many people, beyond the “lack of respect” argument. It seems to violate an old American tradition—religion is a choice. We’ve usually done a decent job in this country—especially compared to others—of navigating religious freedom while not being oppressive. There are plenty of horror stories, sure, but by and large the Founders’ vision of a public, but not state, religion has worked.
Logically, the “you’re dead, what do you care?” argument lobbed at those who find BFTD distasteful is right. It is a little amusing to see people so dismissive of Mormonism’s faith claims get so worked up over something they have no faith in or belief in themselves. It is an emotional response, but one that I see as completely valid.
We prize individuality and choice above all else in this country. These are old notions, and the idea that someone is messing with our names, long after we’re dead, is troublesome. (Would Mormons want someone to donate money to a pro-choice cause in their name after they die?) It also removes choice from the equation (again, if illogically). Right now a Mormon can knock on a door and ask someone to listen. We (for the most part) respect that right in this country, with the understanding that others can refuse to listen.
We’ve decided in the last century or so, that religion is private, a choice, and like politics, damnit you just don’t discuss it in polite company. You gotta respect people’s religion! But BFTD doesn’t feel like it’s playing by those rules. (I think this is why so many people bristle at “in your face” atheism as well.) Baptism for the dead feels like…cheating, in some ways. An old American principle has been violated. It feels a little like “Neener neener, we’ll just get you when you’re dead,” even if that isn’t the intention. Americans are a prideful bunch, we don’t like the idea of anyone forcing us to do anything.
Maybe I’ve just over thought it, but I do find the whole thing to be interesting.
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