We speak of being "baptized into Christ." Baptized ... wanna fight? Let's talk about baptism. Unfortunately, this beautiful sacrament has been a bone of contention in the Christian church for generations.

Why does the church baptize? The quick answer is that Jesus told us to do it: "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19).

How should we do it? Depending on your tradition, one of several ways, as it turns out. Some sprinkle a few drops of water on the head, others pour water over the head, still others want to say that the only valid mode of baptism is immersion, having someone placed completely under water as a symbol of our solidarity with Christ's death and resurrection. All of those methods c…