Seventh-Day Adventist

[LisaS]

My first cousin, who has fallen away from the Catholic Church, is having her baby “blessed” in a Bethel First Adventist Church. I’m assuming this is also a baptism. I have mixed feelings about going since upon my research it appears this group is anti-Catholic in its teachings. I am torn though because I was her confirmation sponsor many years ago. Should I attend this “blessing”?

 

[meltzerboy2]

Only you can decide. May I point out, however, that if you go, you are not doing so as a supporter of the doctrines of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church but because you support and love your cousin. Further, the baptism of the SDA Church is, I believe, valid according to the Catholic Church.

 

[po18guy]

Your call. I would speak with Father. Personally, I would decline, unless it will place undue strain on your relationship. The Adventists are actually true Christians, although on the fringe. I believe that they hold to the “believer’s baptism” because of their Baptist roots. Any “blessing” will not be a baptism of any sort and is something that you could do yourself. It has no sacramental power, as they reject the sacraments aside from immersion baptism and possibly marriage.

The Essential Catholic Survival Guide, published by Catholic Answers, has some excellent info on the SDA. They are not as openly anti-Catholic as in the past, but have some very strange beliefs. Many are based on alleged “visions” received by their foundress, Ellen Gould White.

 

[TheLittleLady]

Adventists do not believe in infant baptism, so, this is a service where the parents and community pray for the child and promise to raise the child as a good Adventist.

What Adventists Believe About Baptism - Adventist.org

Baptism has a deep symbolic and spiritual meaning to Seventh-day Adventists. Let's take a deeper look.

www.adventist.org

By refusing to attend, do you risk shutting the door on your relationship with your cousin?