Religious traditions can look unusual to the uninitiated. But so do a lot of cultural things we accept without thinking about it. Placing body parts under your pillow in exchange for money from a stranger? Sounds barbaric — or like the Tooth Fairy is coming. A stranger who breaks in, steals your food, and leaves unmarked packages behind? Not a felony if he’s wearing a red suit and driving a sleigh of reindeer. This baptism ritual may look strange to those of us who aren’t familiar with baptism, or who are used to a wading pool or a small cup that’s poured over the head. But none of these ways, enthusiastic dunking video included, are right or wrong. As parents, we’re lucky to have the choice to raise our kids as we see fit, including raising them in the path of the religion and traditions of our choosing. No matter how different those religious or traditions may look, that’s a fundamental parenting right we can all understand.
