What is your opinion on this episode?

I'm a Christian, but do think it was wrong of Archie to do that against Mike and Gloria's wishes.

I'm a Christian, but do think it was wrong of Archie to do that against Mike and Gloria's wishes.


I hear what you are saying, but Mike was an atheist and had no desire for religion. It wasn't going to hurt Joey to be baptized.

I hear what you are saying, but Mike was an atheist and had no desire for religion. It wasn't going to hurt Joey to be baptized.

True. But the reason I said that is because I didn't want to hear M & G whine. lol. Another thing, I truly believe if God wants you: He'll find a way to get a hold of you.
When I have kids, I'd want my kid Baptized the day my wife gets out of the hospital.

Like BruceWillisFan, I am also a Christian, but I felt it was wrong of Archie to go against Mike's wishes in this matter. After all, Mike is Joey's father, not Archie. Infact, Archie's actions were very unChristian.

Yes I think Archie did right by having Joey Baptiz

I'm also a Christian; and I definately think it was wrong! I remember thinking that back when the episode first aired in 1976 or whatever, and I still think it!!

(also, that baptism didn't "take hold" since it wasn't done by a priest)

I'm so glad the two of you agree with me. I was starting to feel like a bad Christian/person. lol. Like Mike said: it was very unChristian. We just have to pray for the atheist and let God deal with them.

I think Archie was wrong. It wasn't his decision to make. That's a parental decision. You can't force your beliefs on people, especially a strong-minded person like Mike Stivic. He was just asking for trouble there.

Not to mention, Joey would still have to make his own personal decision about God later on. I was baptized as a baby, but chose later as an adult to follow Jesus on my own choice, and therefore was baptized again. (just mentioning this, not here to get into a big theological discussion :) )

Interesting views, I guess Archie shouldn't have did what he did, but come to some sort of compromise with Archie and Edith. Or maybe not! :lol: I guess if I was in Mike's shoes and my father in law did something behind my back, I would be pissed too.

I'm so glad the two of you agree with me. I was starting to feel like a bad Christian/person. lol. Like Mike said: it was very unChristian. We just have to pray for the atheist and let God deal with them.
exactly!

Like BruceWillisFan, I am also a Christian, but I felt it was wrong of Archie to go against Mike's wishes in this matter. After all, Mike is Joey's father, not Archie. Infact, Archie's actions were very unChristian.

Yes, the bottom line is that Michael and Gloria were the child's parents, and their "religious??" wishes should have been respected. However, in deference to Archie, a devoted grandparent, and in the spirit of compromise, M&G having Joey baptised would have been a nice gesture. IMO, M&G should have done this. There's plenty of time for Joey to form his own beliefs later on. Sometimes the Meathead really needs to lighten up!

While I understand Archie's sentiments, when you openly violate a parent's wishes you risk alienating them, which could translate into a lot less contact with the grandchild, which would be a shame.

I also agree it was wrong of Archie to go behind Mike and Gloria's backs. Joey could have very well found his faith as an adult, despite having an athiest for a father. On the flip side, having Joey baptized wouldn't ensure he would be a Christian either.

Archie was wrong. Though I understand why he did it. He believed if Joey wasn't baptized, Joey would not go to heaven when he died. Funny, coming from a man who had such views on blacks, jews and all kinds of people was worrying abt heaven and hell and he was always judging people.

I feel that Archie's heart was in the right place for sure. And being a Christian as well, I found it hard to listen to Mike's athiest mouth. It would certainly not go against Joey to have been baptized and as usual Mike made a big deal out of it. I know Archie was "un-christian" ALOT, BUT he did seem to believe in God he just didn't practice it. bringing up the Athiest again, do any of you all wonder if alot of Mike's beliefs wiped off on Gloria? She grew up in a home where she must have went to church with Edith at least. So she marries Mike and now she is Athiest? It just seems that she never had a mind of her own and ALWAYS went Mike's way and that always got to me.

I think it was wrong, too, even though Archie meant well. Archie's not Joey's father, and ultimately, a serious matter like baptism would be Gloria and Mike's decision. I too am a believer and can't stand Mike's attitude about God and religion...probably because I know a couple of people like that.

I think it was wrong, too, even though Archie meant well. Archie's not Joey's father, and ultimately, a serious matter like baptism would be Gloria and Mike's decision. I too am a believer and can't stand Mike's attitude about God and religion...probably because I know a couple of people like that.

Even though I don't practice a conventional faith closely, I'm not an atheist and do not have an easy time understanding others who are.

I think Archie was wrong. It wasn't his decision to make. That's a parental decision. You can't force your beliefs on people, especially a strong-minded person like Mike Stivic. He was just asking for trouble there.

I remember this episode and I agree with you. And I've wondered too, why there wasn't more friction between Mike and Gloria since he was an athiest and Archie and Edith were religious (as I'm thinking Gloria was, too.).

BTW, just a thought. I don't want to divulge into Rob Reiner's private life by asking if he is a religious person, but if he is, I wonder if it was hard for him to play someone who doesn't believe in God. I know it's just acting, but that would be like me saying that I don't like someone from another race. I would find it difficult. That being said, I wonder if the things Archie did or said ever bothered Carol O'Connor?

Andrea

Well, to answer that last Q, Rob Reiner is Jewish,Schmoopie , though, i couldnt say how devout...and yes, i'm sure Caroll O'Connor didnt like some of the things Archie said, as he was a very political liberal, in real life; however, he understood that the best way to change the World, was to expose bigotry for the evil that it is.
Now, as to the main question of this thread, Mike and Gloria are Joey's parents and his religious training (or lack thereof) is their decision only.
For the record, if i had children and my parents had them baptised (against my wishes), i'd be livid.