Baptism is a ritual that symbolizes purification and admission into a Christian church. However, not all religions practice baptism. Here is an overview of some of the major religions that do not have a tradition of baptism.
Judaism
Judaism does not practice baptism. In Judaism, rituals for initiation and purification include circumcision for boys, bar or bat mitzvahs, and ritual immersion in a mikvah bath. However, there is no baptism ritual for initiation into the Jewish faith.
Hinduism
Hinduism has no tradition of baptism. Initiation rituals in Hinduism focus more on important life milestones rather than a specific ceremony for entry into the faith. For example, rituals and rites of passage surround birth, the coming of age, marriage, pregnancy, and death.
Buddhism
Buddhism does not baptize people. Buddhist initiation ceremonies typically involve taking refuge in the Three Jewels – the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. Some Buddhist schools may have pledges or rituals for novice monks or nuns, but water baptism is not practiced.
Islam
Islam has no ritual requiring baptism. To become a Muslim, one simply needs to recite the shahada, the Muslim profession of faith. Ritual washing is practiced before prayers and other religious ceremonies, but there is no baptism as an initiation rite.
Sikhism
Sikhism does not include any baptism ritual. Initiation into the Sikh faith involves joining the Khalsa. To become part of the Khalsa, Sikh initiation ceremonies include drinking amrit or nectar, reciting oaths, and receiving a new name. Baptism by water is not part of any Sikh initiations.
Taoism
As an ancient Chinese folk religion, Taoism has no tradition of baptism or other initiation rituals. Taoism focuses on each person’s individual spiritual journey rather than specific ceremonies.
Confucianism
Confucianism is centered around the teachings of the philosopher Confucius rather than specific religious rituals. So there are no baptism or initiation rituals to join Confucianism.
Jainism
Jainism has no ritual of water baptism or other initiations. Jains focus on non-violence, asceticism, and reincarnation. Moral living is emphasized over specific ceremonies.
Shinto
The Japanese folk religion Shinto does not baptize people. Shinto rituals focus more on purification and celebrations connected to nature. For example, water purification before entering shrines is common. But full immersion baptism is not part of the Shinto tradition.
Zoroastrianism
In the ancient religion Zoroastrianism, initiation ceremonies involve wearing a sacred shirt and thread rather than water baptism. Zoroastrian rituals focus on coming of age, marriage, and death rather than entry into the faith.
Scientology
Scientology does not practice baptism or other admission rituals. Joining Scientology simply involves participating in Scientology services. There are initiation ceremonies for church clergy, but not for regular members.
Eckankar
The modern spiritual movement Eckankar has no baptism rituals. Membership is simply established by declaring yourself an Eckist and expressing willingness to join. Eckankar focuses on personal spiritual experiences rather than rigid membership procedures.
Raëlism
Raëlism, founded by Claude Vorilhon, holds that all initiation rituals are outdated. So there are no baptism or admission ceremonies to become a Raëlist. One simply needs to decide for themselves that they adhere to the Raëlist doctrines.
Satanism
Satanism, while not an established religion, is a system of belief centered around Satan that exists in many forms. However, Satanists do not practice baptism because Satanism generally rejects mainstream religious rituals.
Spiritualism
Spiritualism focuses on contacting spirits and the afterlife. Initiation rituals are not a central part of Spiritualist practice. Mediumship and séances take precedence over ceremonies like baptism.
Deism
Deism involves the belief in God based on reason rather than revealed truth. Since Deism rejects religious doctrine, there are no prescribed rituals like baptism to join the faith.
Unitarian Universalism
Unitarian Universalism is open and welcoming to people from all religious backgrounds. So there is no specific initiation like baptism. Members simply join by affirming the Unitarian Universalist principles and attending services.
Religious Non-Affiliation
Identifying as atheist, agnostic, nothing in particular, or no religion involves having no religious affiliation. So unaffiliated individuals do not participate in any baptism or initiation rituals.
Smaller Religious Groups
There are many smaller religious groups and belief systems that may not practice baptism, such as:
- Theosophy
- Caodaism
- Summum
- Falun Gong
- Scientology
- Rastafarianism
- Wicca
These represent just a sample of religions and faiths that identify outside of mainstream baptizing traditions.
Religions that Do Practice Baptism
While many religions do not baptize, there are some major faiths that do have baptism as an important ritual. These include:
| Religion | Baptism Ritual |
|---|---|
| Christianity | Most Christian denominations practice baptism by full immersion in water or by pouring/sprinkling water over the head. |
| Catholicism | Catholics are baptized with holy water, usually as infants, through pouring water on the head. |
| Eastern Orthodox | Orthodox Christians are baptized by full triple immersion in water blessed by a priest. |
| Lutheranism | Most Lutherans practice infant baptism by sprinkling holy water on the head. |
| Anglicanism | Anglicans baptize with water, usually as babies, via pouring or sprinkling water on the head. |
| Methodism | Methodists baptize using sprinkling, pouring, or immersion in water. Infant baptisms are common. |
| Baptists | Baptists practice baptism by full immersion in water, usually during adulthood. |
| Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) | Mormons practice baptism by full immersion in water starting at age 8. |
Conclusion
In summary, baptism is a significant ritual in many Christian denominations as well as Mormons, but it is not practiced in Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Sikhism, and many other major world religions. Religions without baptism tend to focus on other rituals for initiation, purification, or rites of passage. So the next time someone asks what religions don’t baptize, you can refer to this overview of faiths that do and do not include baptism ceremonies.