Judge Leslie Lewis
This is bizarre (you’ll need Internet Explorer to watch the video I think).
The tape is of a hearing addressing several issues involving parent time for a father and problems between the divorced couple on arranging parent time. At the end of the discussion, Judge Leslie Lewis asks if there is anything else to discuss.
The father’s attorney brings up that he would like to baptize his daughter into the LDS Church and that the child in question had told her father that the child’s mother had refused.
Judge Lewis stated that a decision of this nature must be made jointly between parents. Then she added, “And may I add my own personal story. That same thing was done to me and I have resented it lo, these many years.”
Judge Lewis continued, saying that people are too young at the age of eight to make a decision of the magnitude of baptism. She then ruled, “The child is too young. The child will make the decision when she is twelve.”
The Great Oz has spoken!
Update: Connor posted the video to YouTube. Thanks!
8 Responses to “Judge Leslie Lewis”
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I am a constant lurker here, but have a small comment on this topic.
In this church, it seems baptism at age 8 is approached with the same fervor the Catholics approach it with for infants. Why is this? Several of our modern day profits that were born into the church were baptised well after 8 years of age. Irecall one of them being baptised at 14 in the basement of the Tabernacle.
My youngest brother was baptised at age 12 or so, and I think it’s cool, because he will remember his baptism better than any eight year old.
I cannot believe I just typed “profits” for “prophets”…that’s what happens when you write contracts all day…
Cantinflas,
Thanks for commenting after lurking for so long!
I agree with you. I don’t think there is anything wrong with waiting until you are 12, or any other age, to be baptized.
The Christian doctrine, as I understand it, is that you should be baptized for a remission of your sins (and entrance into Christ’s church); making a promise to God to accept Jesus as your Savior and to keep His commandments. So, it’s logical that the time for baptism would come when you can tell the difference between good and bad, and can make a decision to follow Jesus.
For most kids, knowing right from wrong comes well before the age of 8. Hence, 8 seems to be a good age for a church-wide standard of baptism (in fact, for us Mormons, we believe that God has said that 8 should be the standard).
Nevertheless, my religious opinions aside, I find it bizarre that a judge would go off like this in court re: private religious practices.
I posted this video on YouTube. Just search for “judge leslie lewis” (I posted the link here last night, but the comment never showed up).
Thanks Connor. I’ve added it to the post.
Hey Liberals, Democrats, and the like, where is your outrage regarding the separation of church and state? This Government Official has used judicial power to effect religion! Hello! Its called being consistent. If you oppose prayer in school, you had better oppose Judge Leslie Lewis. Vote NO.
[...] I agree, but only after the age of 12 should someone have the right to get dunked or submerged in water. Posted by doug in whatnot, doug | [...]
Whatan absolute witch! So what if she was baptised at eight - if you don’t believe it don’t want to be a Mormon, it means absolutely nothing. My guess is it took time from her smearing on face putty at the time!