do 8 year olds "decide" to be baptized?

[TripletDaddy]

Originally Posted by Levin

I think Creekster nailed it on the head here, and I'm surprised it didn't end the discussion.

The decision to be baptized is about being informed of Christ, sin, repentance, and responsibility. It is not about "Islam v. Christianity" or "Baptist v. Mormon," as some of you have weirdly assumed. An 8-year-old child who understands what it means to do wrong, what it means to be forgiven, and it what it means that Christ sacrificed himself for us is ready to "choose" to be baptized.

It's interesting how you all are assuming a definition of "decision." A "decision," to Waters and the likeminded, is something that only follows the presentation of the available alternatives and a weighing of the strengths and weaknesses of each. Only in the ivory tower does such a definition apply. In reality, a "decision" is one where the moral implications are apprehended. As it relates to sin, repentance, forgiveness, and Christ, most 8-year olds are fully capable of apprehending the moral implications of baptism.

It is odd that so many are championing the under-estimated moral, spiritual, and intellectual development of an 8 year old, to the point that they can make an informed deicion about eternal convenants......yet these same people likely would not consider leaving that same 8 year old at home alone for 3 or 4 hours to fend for themselves.

These kids are smart enough to choose Christ and baptism and understand good vs evil, but not smart enough to make their own sandwich and go to bed by themselves. They are also afraid of the dark and believe in Santa Claus.