Err.. Jack.

Being christened does not make you a christian. Christian churches acknowledge that and have done since Clapton knows when.

They call it confirmation.

I am not a christian, and never have been. My parents went through the tradition of a christening. After all, the lure of fish paste sandwiches and scotch eggs afterwards was about as decadent as it got then. I doubt, even with their cultural brainwashing of their time that such a ceremony brands a child. An adult makes a decision, and that is how you become a christian. As an adult.

Mind you, considering the recruiting that goes on amongst the vulnerable, it mass you wonder if the test of informed consent should apply?

Keith. You really wade in feet first don't you? "Beliefs that encourage selfish individualism die out.." The selfish individualism of Catholic priests and protestant vicars that bugger children and abuse vulnerable adults flourishes at the same level as the organisations that shield and protect them from the authorities.

tell you what though.. Dissent, or heresy or whatever you want to call it (atheism??) seems to be winning in the first world. Possibly due to altruism without a price tag eh?

zzz