POINTLESSNESS ISN'T HERESY:

The sprinkling-style baptism of a Dayton, Ohio, infant -- a scene heartwarming and commonplace for Catholics and mainline Protestants -- is touching off accusations of doctrinal heresy in the evangelical world.

In April, an influential American Baptist Churches USA pastor performed the rite, which most Baptists believe is reserved for Christians who are able to make a mature confession of faith. Although there are dozens of Baptist denominations in the U.S., the news made instant waves among those who know and understand Baptist teachings.

Before long, a Southern Baptist seminary president compared the notion of Baptists baptizing infants to vegetarians eating steak.

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