Pretty much like the "I do" scenario, these are performative words. Austen states that in order for a christening to take place specific conditions need to be met otherwise the action becomes null. It seems to be that in order for a performative utterance to have any validity there must be witnesses who are qualified and who accept this action present. The question arises whether the christening of a ship and the christening of a person would fall under the same category. Austen states that a ship can be christened again if the first christening did not meet the conditions required. However, in some religions this cannot be done for a person while in others it can. I'm not sure what Austen's argument would be on this point. How would he resolve the conflicting views of two different groups who have a different set of opinions as to what is valid?
-Stacy
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