Which church tradition practices infant baptism to remove original sin?

• A. Hinduism
• B. Roman Catholic Church
• C. Buddhism
• D. Islam

Answer: (B)

Infant baptism to remove original sin is a practice rooted in Catholic theology. In the Roman Catholic Church, baptism is one of the seven sacraments through which God's grace is received. It is believed that all humans are born with original sin, a consequence of the Fall, and baptism cleanses that sin and initiates the person into the Christian life and the church community. Because infants cannot make a personal profession of faith, Catholic practice involves parents and godparents making the vows on the child’s behalf, with the rite performed soon after birth to grant grace and membership in the body of Christ. Other traditions in the list have different beliefs and rites that do not center on removing original sin through baptism. Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam each have their own cleansing or initiation practices, but none situates infant baptism as a means to remove original sin.