The Anabaptists of 16th Century Europe rejected the notion of infant baptisim and asserted that young adults should be able to make the decision of whether to make a confession of Christian faith, or not. The Amish, Hutterites, and Mennonites are direct descendants of that Protestant movement. The Amish of rural Pennsylvania in 2011 took the notion of Christ's forgiveness for his crucifixion to extraordinary lengths when they, after a lunatic shot ten little girls in a schoolhouse killing five and wounding five, reached out to the lunatic's family and friends and offered forgiveness and comfort and compassion. The Amish, of course, have no elaborate edifices like churches, cathederals or any other ostentatious display of their beliefs. They meet in homes, or in farmhouses, quietly, privately. On 6/30/12, MichaelHughes7A@xxxxxxx <MichaelHughes7A@xxxxxxx> wrote: > The basin like structure is known as a Baptismal font. > > It is used mainly for the baptism of infants. Part of the ceremony involves > > pouring water over the baby's head. > > In most old churches in Britain they are near the entrance of the church > sometimes prominently placed but otherwise in a secluded area known as the > > Baptistry. > > Like the one in the picture they often feature elaborate decoration. > > In recent times there seems to be a move towards incorporating baptisms > into other services, eg the Mass in an RC Church. When this happens the > ceremony usually takes place at the front of the church within view of the > whole > congregation. As fonts are immovable the ppriest will often use a simple > glass bowl on a stand near the front of the altar. > > In scripture we are told that Jesus Christ was baptised in the River > Jordan. Some Christian denominations use a baptismal pool in which the > candidates are completely immersed, symbolising rebirth into new life as a > Christian. > > The use of the word fount / font for a form of typeface derives from the > French word from which we get the term Foundry - a place where metal > castings are made. > > Best wishes > > Michael in Norwich > >
