I recall, about a week or so before I was confirmed, approaching my parents about [reading] in our confirmation preparation [where] it stated that I would be declaring that I was being confirmed under my own free will. I told my parents that I didn’t have any free will about being confirmed, but was doing it because they wanted me to […].

I also didn’t know how I could say that “the doctrine of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, . . .to be the true and correct one.” I didn’t know any other doctrine.

I objected to the “even death” and “even unto death” phrases in the vow. I wasn’t sure I wanted to go that far.

My parents were not empathetic with my viewpoints and I dutifully went ahead with confirmation.

Those are the words of my mother recalling "some not so pleasant memories," she said, from her Lutheran confirmation, which took place circa 1949. I wonder how many confirmands today face similar pressures that we never hear about. I also wonder:

Is it wise or even appropriate to bind the consciences of adult church members to a vow that they made "dutifully" as young teenagers largely because it was expected of them by the authority figures in their life at the time?

The author judges as “ignoble” a variety of reasons for departing from one’s confirmation vows before death. But among my acquaintances, some have thoughtfully and with their dignity intact joined Christian churches that are at least as emphatic as we are in affirming the authority of Scripture and salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Might we recognize evidence of saving faith elsewhere and celebrate it?