De-baptism

There was a recent report in USA Today's religion section about de-baptism, atheists having satirical ceremonies to renounce religious faith. Here's a comment from someone who participated in a de-baptism:  

"It was very therapeutic," Gray said in an interview. "It was a chance to laugh at the silly things I used to believe as a child. It helped me admit that it was OK to think the way I think and to not have any religious beliefs."

You need a ridiculous ceremony to do that? Here's something that's "therapeutic" for me: calling out idiots for their idiocy.

In my opinion the whole idea of de-baptism is idiotic on multiple levels. First, it indicates weak-mindedness. The people participating in these events don't seem too confident about their atheism. According to the article, some have actually written their former churches trying to get their names taken off baptismal records -- as if it actually mattered. Second, it it gives credence to those who accuse atheism of being a religion or just a psychological rejection of God, two common theist attacks. And finally, it just makes atheists look bad. It's an unnecessary attack on a Christian sacrament that should be meaningless for an atheist, and it helps feed the impression many have that atheists are hostile to religion and religious people. But above all, it's just stupid.