For those who are making the decision to join a particular religion, water is often an important element. Ritual cleansing is a part of many religions, and it is often a sign that the person is washing away their past sins to move forward in their spiritual life. Some of these rituals are for adults who are converting, but others are for children unable to make their own decision. The use of water in religions around the world has been documented for centuries.
While Christianity is known all over the world, few people realize that different sects have their own water rituals. Catholics use it during the baptism of a baby, but they also create their own holy water for those coming into a church for a mass. They are just one part of the Christian belief system, and other Christian faiths do not use holy water at all. They simply use water as an agent when they baptize a new member, and the age for that is once they are old enough to make their own decision.
Converting to a religion involves water in some cases, and Judaism is one that uses it. The person who has chosen to convert must be completely washed before they can go through the ceremony to be accepted within the faith, and it requires them to fully immerse their body. Those practicing this particular faith also have a list of times when they must wash their hands. These are ritualized practices that have been in place for thousands of years.
The use of water in religious practices has an interesting past in many religions. Some of them believe it purifies the spirit, but others are more concerned with purification of the body. Each religion has its own rituals that surround water, and studying them can be a fascinating pastime for those who find it amazing to discover different cultural practices.
