Being physically, mentally and spiritually prepared

[_Wisdom Seeker]

The Bible does not mention much of the life of Jesus between the age of twelve and thirty. While these years in his life were probably similar to a typical Jewish boy and man of this time, is there an age in which people including Jesus are more prepared to make the sacrifices and devotion to the beliefs they espouse to.

While the Psychosocial stages of development (Erik Erikson’s theory) happen at different times in different people’s lives, at what point is a person most equipped physically, mentally and spiritually best equipped to sacrifice all or part of their devotion to a religious belief? Does being baptized or having the Priesthood at such an early age prevent an individual awakening or spiritual birth?

[_Wisdom Seeker]

I guess not!

[_sleepyhead]

Hello wisdm seeker,

I don't have my Bible on this computer so I can't provide the reference but when moses was deciding who would do what job he set the age at 30 years to carry the arc.

[_sleepyhead]

Hello again,

While thinking about this I remembered the instructions with regards to the vow of the Nazarite which I think closely corresponds to what you are asking. The instructioons with regards to nazarites is in numbers 6, and the story of Samson (who was a nazarite from birth is in Judges 13

[_Wisdom Seeker]

I read those scriptures as to refresh my mind to what the vow of a Nazarite man was. Why do some see Samson as a hero, or even God's "Macho Man" where brutality is condoned but cutting of one's hair, touching a corpse or drinking of wine is considered the larger fault because of it's association with the vow or covenant.

My original intent of my post was to some how find out why baptism or receiving priesthood is so closely tied to a person's age and not to their true spiritual and emotional maturity. I just have a hard time believing that everyone at age eight is fully aware of what right and wrong is. And I also have a hard time believing that a vow of a Nazarite or even the pure devotion that one can have for their belief can be made by children and often young adults.

Most Bible based religions probably look at Mathew 19:14 as the scripture that condones bringing up children in whatever religion they are born into. Yet if God has only one true church then why would these words be written to justify that most individuals born into a religion, no religion or even a cult will remain in that state. While many people might change thier religious or even political beliefs in their lives, for the majority of people, their belief is often a result of where and who they were born to.

I am sorry if this does not make sense, as I am only here to seek wisdom and have a difficult time believing that children and most young adults really have the emotional and spiritual maturity to be exhalted or even condemned for choosing that which they were born into. Young terriorist boys are raised believing Jihad is what Allah-God wants of them, while twelve year old LDS boys are raised believing they have the power to act in God's name on earth.

[_moksha]

The age for being wise enough to decide whether to purchase alcohol or not, is generally set at 21.

[_Wisdom Seeker]

So at various ages 8, 12, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21 people are allowed to get baptized, receive priesthood, drive, vote, go on mission, drink alcohol and watch dirty movies.

I probably look at childhood and early adulthood much different than I have in the past. Yes I think touching the hot stove is necessary and I think the experiences of life including the option to sow wild oats is indeed a valuable learning lesson. I also believe forced adherence to a religion especially to young people is taking away one's free agency. And if they were forced to be a a JW, LDS, Catholic, Muslim, or terrorist extremist, they will most likely remain that because their parents pushed them that direction.

[_Roger Morrison]

Hi Seeker, you said:

My original intent of my post was to some how find out why baptism or receiving priesthood is so closely tied to a person's age and not to their true spiritual and emotional maturity. I just have a hard time believing that everyone at age eight is fully aware of what right and wrong is. And I also have a hard time believing that a vow of a Nazarite or even the pure devotion that one can have for their belief can be made by children and often young adults.
(Bold added by RM)

Tradition. Keeps things running the way the institution wants. Young age probably to do with being immature and easily conditioned to believe what authority edicts.
Initiation rites belong to authoritarian organizations to keep obedience to rules that are relevant only to perpetuation of their organization. Made special by initiation. Really witch craft.
Even when comfortable as a Mormon, there were things believed by individuals that made me wonder about their approach to, or understanding of, reality. . .
"True spirituality and emotional maturity" is a very rare condition. Especially within religions. People who believe Old Testament stories to be true -- Sampson's hair, Noah's ark, Adam's rib, etc. And that bread & wine, or water, have magical powers to purify -- are really suspect of lacking something.
Strangely, most of us go through life enjoying our state of being, whatever it is.
Which begs a bigger question: How dysfunctional can one be and still function reasonably well in society??
Me thinks, we all function at our own level of dysfunction. When we find others at a similar level, we hang-out together. :-) At church, at sports events, seminars, golf courses, on discussions boards, etc.
Keep on seeking!
Warm regards,
Roger

[_Wisdom Seeker]

Excellent words of wisdom! I tend to agree.

[_Nevo]

Does being baptized or having the Priesthood at such an early age prevent an individual awakening or spiritual birth?

Baptism at age 8, or Aaronic priesthood conferral at age 12, are rites of passage. Are children emotionally and spiritually mature enough to appreciate all of the implications of such acts? Most probably aren't. Does that matter? I don't think so.

These are initiations. According to Mircea Eliade, one of the purposes of initiations is "to make [the initiate] open to spiritual values." So rather than preventing "an individual awakening or spiritual birth," they actually facilitate such experiences.

The attendant spiritual blessings (and obligations) are received by covenant. When the person accepts the terms of the covenant associated with being a member of the Church or holding the priesthood—which may or may not coincide with the receipt of the ordinance itself—then those blessings are "unlocked."