I didn't know that deceased Popes - and other Christians, Muslims, Jews, etc. - were baptized by proxy by the Mormons in such numbers. I looked at the International Genealogical Index for my family name - it's pretty uncommon - and found several of my ancestors listed, which the article implies means that they have been "cleared," at least, for proxy baptism.

When I first read this, I was a bit unsettled by the idea of non-Mormons being baptized, after their deaths, as Mormons. However, I don't really see why this should bother me, since I don't believe what Mormons believe. That Mormons would go through the trouble to not only get these names listed but to also physically go through with a baptism by immersion for all these people shows an admirable devotion to their faith and a striking level of care and compassion for people they have often never met. I mean, isn't this a "Get Into Heaven Free" card for non-Mormons?

| | Permalink