Holocaust survivors to Mormons: Stop baptisms of dead Jews

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Holocaust survivors said Monday they are through trying to negotiate with the Mormon church over posthumous baptisms of Jews killed in Nazi concentration camps, saying the church has repeatedly violated a 13-year-old agreement barring the practice.

Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints say they are making changes to their massive genealogical database that will make it more difficult for names of Holocaust victims to be entered for posthumous baptism by proxy, a rite that has been a common Mormon practice for more than a century.

But Ernest Michel, honorary chairman of the American Gathering of Holocaust Survivors, said that is not enough. At a news conference in New York City on Monday, he said the church also must "implement a mechanism to undo what you have done."

...

"We ask you to respect us and our Judaism just as we respect your religion," Michel said in a statement released ahead of the news conference. "We ask you to leave our six million Jews, all victims of the Holocaust, alone, they suffered enough."

...

In 1995, Mormons and Jews inked an agreement to limit the circumstances that allow for the proxy baptisms of Holocaust victims. Ending the practice outright was not part of the agreement and would essentially be asking Mormons to alter their beliefs, church Elder Lance B. Wickman said Monday in an interview with reporters in Salt Lake City.

"We don't think any faith group has the right to ask another to change its doctrines," Wickman said. "If our work for the dead is properly understood ... it should not be a source of friction to anyone. It's merely a freewill offering."

...

Using genealogy records, the church baptizes people who have died from all over the world and from different religions. Mormons stand in as proxies for the person being baptized and immerse themselves in a baptismal pool.

Only the Jews have an agreement with the church limiting who can be baptized, though the agreement covers only Holocaust victims, not all Jewish people.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/11/11/baptizing...s.ap/index.html

[Ban Hammer 13,678]

so when is someone gonna stand in for osama bin laden?

[chri'stina 190]

I've never heard of the baptism by proxy. Hmmm, you learn something new every day.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I've never heard of the baptism by proxy. Hmmm, you learn something new every day.

How do you feel about posthumously baptizing dead Jewish Holocaust survivors?

[almaty 19]

i am against it..first the jews..then the muslims..then the scientologist...aargh...pesky mormoms

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

i am against it..first the jews..then the muslims..then the scientologist...aargh...pesky mormoms

presumptuous little turds, aren't they.....

[chri'stina 190]

I've never heard of the baptism by proxy. Hmmm, you learn something new every day.

How do you feel about posthumously baptizing dead Jewish Holocaust survivors?

I think it's weird. I think they think they are being helpful though. But to me, someone has to choose if they want that to happen, not have it done for them without them knowing.

(I am aware my own beliefs sound kookoo to some, so just saying my opinion)

[alienlovechild 75]

I wonder how the Mormons would feel if they were converted to Islam by proxy after their deaths?

[chri'stina 190]

I wonder how the Mormons would feel if they were converted to Islam by proxy after their deaths?

Good point...but if after I die any one from any religions "converts" me, it won't make a difference to me. It doesn't mean anything to me. I don't believe it would work, so who cares if they try. Not gonna change anything. (I'm not Mormon, this is just from my Christian perspective)

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

IDK, this strikes me as similar to defiling a gravestone.

[Ban Hammer 13,678]

IDK, this strikes me as similar to defiling a gravestone.

i rank it higher than that. gravestones can be replaced. hijacking someone into a religion after they are deceased is another matter entirely.

[IAMX 3,055]

Can someone tell me what the big deal about this is? I find there to be far more, realistic things to worry about when it comes to stupid ####### Mormons do.

[chri'stina 190]

I do see that it could be very disrespectful, but I guess I have a different view of things. Defiling a gravestone is done with ill intent, while what Mormons are doing isn't.

[Ban Hammer 13,678]

I do see that it could be very disrespectful, but I guess I have a different view of things. Defiling a gravestone is done with ill intent, while what Mormons are doing isn't.

defiling a headstone in no way affects one's soul. being hijacked after death into another religion does. i feel if they wanted to be baptized they'd have done so while living.

[IAMX 3,055]

I do see that it could be very disrespectful, but I guess I have a different view of things. Defiling a gravestone is done with ill intent, while what Mormons are doing isn't.

defiling a headstone in no way affects one's soul. being hijacked after death into another religion does. i feel if they wanted to be baptized they'd have done so while living.

Explain this "being hijacked" thing.