Emergency Baptism

[Quaesitor]

Let’s say an atheist who was never baptized suffered a heart attack and you are near the atheist. Would it be morally correct for you to baptize the atheist, even if it is against his will? My gut answer says yes, since his outcome in the afterlife would immediately change for the better if he got baptized. I just need some clarification (or correction) in this subject.

In this case, to me an ex-Mormon, I see very little difference in doing this and Baptizing someone after they have already died. And if I’m not mistaken many Catholics find the thought of the Baptism of the Dead as revolting.

Just my two cents.

 

[R_C]

@Quaesitor

In that case the issue is not with Baptism, but with Original Sin.

The Mormon practice you mentioned is based on 1 Corinthians 15:29. However, it is rather interesting that there is no other scriptural reference to this practice, and not just that: none of the Church Fathers discuss it in any of their writings, and there is no evidence indicating that early Christian Church practiced baptism for the dead. Furthermore, even the Book of Mormon contradicts this practice in Alma 34:35, 36.

As I was mentioning, though, the Sacrament of Baptism is radically different because it relates to Original Sin - that is, to the loss of sanctifying grace. Mormon theology teaches that God wanted Adam to sin so the “pre-ordained plan of salvation” might come to fruition. The Second Article of Faith in the Mormon Church says, “We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.” Mormon doctrine cannot conceive sacramental cleansing of original sin.

However, the divine revelation on this matter is radically different, as the teachings of the Church (summarized here) explain. At Baptism, the spiritual effects of original sin are removed from the soul, and sanctifying grace is infused.

This happens ex opere operato, but only for the living.