Much has been written in the blogosphere about the desire of some people to become 'de-baptised' and a thought has just occurred to me...
De-baptism on the basis of a loss of belief (or never having properly had it) is daft in one sense (inasmuch as in one can't undo something that's part of history), but also rather tragic in another.
It seems to me that to be 'de-baptised' one has to have a certain amount of belief in the effect that being baptised in the first place has on a person... Which sort of defeats the argument of atheism. Surely most true atheists simply wouldn't care? Which, to my eyes, leaves the picture of a person railing against God for another reason entirely, one that is yet to be elucidated in each case. And THAT poses a particular and sensitive pastoral care challenge. How does one draw out the reason for the rage against God in that person without further hurting them? How does that person heal their relationship with God, Church and religion and how can one assist without risking a black eye?
Answers on a postcard please!