I think it depends on the religion. In my experience, Catholics use the word christening and Protestants use baptism. As for sprinkling vs. dunking, that also varies between denominations. Catholics and Methodists sprinkle, Baptists dunk. I do not know about the others.
-- Edited by Aardvark on Monday 9th of September 2013 11:54:26 AM
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"I never understood why blessings wore disguises. If I were a blessing, I'd run around naked." - Sophia Petrillo
They are similar. Perhaps a christening is more of a sprinke and a baptisim involves dunkiing the whole body. That is my perception, but I don't belong to any church
I took a photo class and the teacher had a grant from the state to photograph water baptisms, since the practice was fading. Her photographs were amazing. Some of the congregations used rivers, or lakes, others actually a hole dug and lined with cement, and they'd fill it with a hose for the event.
For Catholics, the terms are synonymous. I've always called it Baptism, as that is the name of the sacrament and the rite, but I believe the terminology during the rite includes the word "christening."
I think for some Protestant denominations baptism is for adults choosing to be sealed in Christ and christening is for babies whose parents are choosing Christ for them.
My little guy will be baptised later this month & I can let you know for sure.
