Well, it’s kind of a trick question…is “holy water” part of the ritual of baptism? Yes, either blessed before or during the ritual. Is holy water required for the sacrament to be efficacious? Absolutely not. In fact the code of canon law allows even the un-baptized to be a minister of baptism in cases of danger of death and the only requirement is water and trinitarian form.I am taking a college religion class in which we are discussing superstition within religion. Of course, I am maintaining the stance that our beliefs are faith based and are NOT superstitions. I was questioned about the belief in holy water for baptism and didn’t know how to answer. I’m sure I’ve come to the right place. Thanks.
Technically the hypothesis is correct, yet it’s also very incorrect.I am taking a college religion class in which we are discussing superstition within religion. Of course, I am maintaining the stance that our beliefs are faith based and are NOT superstitions. I was questioned about the belief in holy water for baptism and didn’t know how to answer. I’m sure I’ve come to the right place. Thanks.
843 The Catholic Church recognizes in other religions that search, among shadows and images, for the God who is unknown yet near since he gives life and breath and all things and wants all men to be saved. Thus, the Church considers all goodness and truth found in these religions as "a preparation for the Gospel and given by him who enlightens all men that they may at length have life."332
844 In their religious behavior, however, men also display the limits and errors that disfigure the image of God in them:
Very often, deceived by the Evil One, men have become vain in their reasonings, and have exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and served the creature rather than the Creator. Or else, living and dying in this world without God, they are exposed to ultimate despair.333
845 To reunite all his children, scattered and led astray by sin, the Father willed to call the whole of humanity together into his Son’s Church. The Church is the place where humanity must rediscover its unity and salvation. The Church is “the world reconciled.” She is that bark which “in the full sail of the Lord’s cross, by the breath of the Holy Spirit, navigates safely in this world.” According to another image dear to the Church Fathers, she is prefigured by Noah’s ark, which alone saves from the flood.334
You are trying to change the discussion from, “is water used in baptism required to be blessed and therefore holy water.” To the requirement of baptism to be saved. Please stay on topic…Holy Baptism is the first sacrament, making us members of Christ and His the Church. We are received into His Church via Holy Baptism.Holy Baptism does notrequired the use of Holy water and the Trinitarian formula, and this is in scripture.I fixed it for you.
“Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” (Matthew 28:19) Douay-Rheims Bible
The use of Holy water:
“Jesus answered: Amen, amen I say to thee, unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5) Douay-Rheims Bible
Holy Baptism is necessary for salvation according to Vatican II. (Salvation outside the Church might be possible, if someone through no fault of their own fails to hear Jesus’ message, but that’s a whole other discussion).
Read the 1st post again…but whatever…there is Some superstition in most religions.The question is not about holy water. It’s about religion being based in superstition.
I must say, I owe the OP and all an apology…I just read the OP again and I see I read into the question, “if the holy water is required.” This is not the question, its about the belief in the holy water itself.I am taking a college religion class in which we are discussing superstition within religion. Of course, I am maintaining the stance that our beliefs are faith based and are NOT superstitions. I was questioned about the belief in holy water for baptism and didn’t know how to answer. I’m sure I’ve come to the right place. Thanks.
Superstition enters into the equasion when people, the faithful, misunderstand their religion’s teachings and traditions.Read the 1st post again…but whatever…there is Some superstition in most religions.
Secular definitions of the word - superstition.** There is much superstition in most faiths**
So, are there superstitions in our Catholic faith?
1.Excessively credulous belief in and reverence for supernatural beings.
2.A widely held but unjustified belief in supernatural causation leading to certain consequences of an action or event, or a practice…
Definition of SUPERSTITION
1a : a belief or practice resulting from ignorance, fear of the unknown, trust in magic or chance, or a false conception of causation
b : an irrational abject attitude of mind toward the supernatural, nature, or God resulting from superstition
2: a notion maintained despite evidence to the contrary
It is a common superstition that a black cat crossing your path is bad luck.
Tales of superstition, witchcraft, and magic
The answer is relative to which religion one is referring to. The statement is both true and false."It has been said that religion is a sophisticated form of superstition. Is this statement true or false?"
This is the discussion question for an online class.