Something i witnessed...

[George]

I am making this post because i saw something strange yesterday.So i attended my 4 year old's cousins greek orthodox baptism.They are a boy and a girl 4 and 5 year old respectively.What confused me was the fact that both of them were completely naked.Also their godparemt touched the boy's genitals although it seeked like an accident.He was anointing his legs with oil and he touched for a second his penis.I want to report this to the police but i wanted to ask if someone in this forum knows how a greek orthodox baptism is done.Is it common for younger children, like my cousins to be naked or not?Also is the anointing with oil etc common too or not?I would appreciate an answer

[Jonesy]

George - this is absolutley inappropriate and of course should be reported to the authorities.

I am confused. Is this an additional incident from the following post? viewtopic.php?f=25&t=9515&p=204485#p204485

Please look for an email from me.

[USSDefiant]

That is definitely inappropriate. The only time a childs genitals should be touched is when they are babies and you've got them in the bath or changing their nappy when they've soiled themsleves, or if they have an obvious genital problem (even then the touching and examining should be done by a doctor with the parent present). Even then, it is only for the purposes of cleaning them because they're too young to do it themselves. There is no reason why anyone should touch the private parts of a 4 or 5 year old. As soon as they are old enough to clean themselves properly after using the toilet (usually they're about 3), they're old enough for adults not to touch in those areas for any reason other than strictly medical.

What you've described her sounds like some sort of ritualised abuse using the religon as a smokescreen. I do not believe in any religion, but if God exists I am sure s/he does not want children to be sexually touched. Abuse within religion doesn't seem to be uncommon, look at all the cases that have come to light from the Catholic church, and some Islamic nations appears to permit girls as young as 9 to 'marry' in countries like Saudi Arabia. Child sexual abuse is always wrong regardless of the faith. Yes people in times gone by were sexually active younger, but it used to more more along the lines of two 14 year olds when both were considered man and woman and he was earning a wage and had already entered the adult world (like the 14th century or so). Nowadays we know better and these teens are encouraged not to be sexually active until they are truly ready. That is the very reason why the age of consent exists, to stop both young people making unwise choices with similarly aged peers or being preyed upon by older people who are just wanting to exploit them for sex.

[Jonesy]

Hi George

Please reply to my email

[Jonesy]

Hi George

If I do not hear from you, via email, by this time tomorrow, then your account will be deactivated (as per our guidelines)

[BlueSkys]

You should considered reporting to the authorities as this does not sound right at all.

[Qwerty]

Ummmm...I am orthodox and no one is ever Baptist naked. Ever. For any reason. Some churches still do naked infant baptism but almost all have baptism gowns now.
It is unheard of to have naked 4 year olds getting baptized.
Call. The. Cops.

[honeybera]

Thank God we have you, dear Jonesy, to watch over our solidly private and protected group here and that you weed out the problematic with speed and diplomacy. We all hold you dear.

I do hope that "George" gets the help he needs. This just isn't the place for him apparently.

Honeybera