Being dedicated or baptized at birth or even at a later time in life is a common practice in religion. The practice dates back to Biblical times; even Jesus was baptized. Generally, a dedication is when parents dedicate their infant or children to the Lord, while baptisms are usually a personal decision later in life. However, if you are not religious, you may not know how to respond when you are invited to a family member's baptism. While you are probably honored and don't want to offend anyone, you might not know whether or not you are expected to attend, what you should wear, whether you are supposed to bring a gift or not, etc. The good news is, generally, it isn't as difficult as you might expect.
Attending the Baptism
You might feel like you won't fit in if you aren't the same religion as the church you will be attending. If there is a party after, you may feel like simply attending that instead of showing up at the church. However, the church is where the most important part of the ceremony will take place. For most people, a dedication or baptism is a very significant religious event, and most people want their family and close friends to be there to celebrate. In this instance, it doesn't matter whether or not you are religious; it is your presence that counts. If you are close with the family member or friend who is being baptized and he or she reached out to you and asked you to come, then you should make every effort to be there. If the church makes you uncomfortable or you have a prior obligation, then communicate with the person and try to show up to the party afterwards.
What Should You Do?
If you have decided to go, then you might be wondering how you should participate. You probably don't want to say any prayers you don't believe in, and you shouldn't participate in any ways that make you feel uncomfortable. The good news is, for the most part, you won't have to do exactly what everyone else is doing. In fact, it probably won't even be noticed if you aren't reciting prayers or doing what the rest of the congregation is. So, you can breathe easy knowing your lack of participation is not going to draw attention.
What Should You Wear?
Another important decision is what you are going to wear to the baptism. In general, it is an event you should dress up for. This includes things like:
- A suit and tie for men
- A dress shirt and tie might be appropriate in some situations
- A modest dress, skirt, or pants suit for women
Being overdressed is better than being underdressed. You don't want to show up in jeans and a nice shirt only to notice everyone around you is dressed up in their finest. It shows your respect for the event and shows you care about being there for your family or friends.
Should You Bring a Gift?
It is generally a good idea to bring a gift to the baptism or dedication. When in doubt, bring a gift. If there's a party afterwards, bring it to the party. If there is no party, consider sending the gift before the event. A religious gift such as a cross or religious book is a good choice. If you aren't comfortable with that, then gift cards make for a nice alternative.
Hopefully, this gives you a better idea of what the right etiquette is for a baptism or dedication. While some of these factors can change depending on the church, these are general guidelines that should help you get through the day.
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