Nothing. Baptism can work for two major principles. The first is more of a Catholic tradition of child baptism. In this aspect the child is annointed with holy water and dedicated to a life of living righteously. Since a baby has no major beliefs then it really does not apply itself to this particular question.
The second method is adult (or child of age) baptism. This is usually done after a person has accepted Christ or the path of Christianity. In this instance it is merely a physical act to let the people around you know about your new faith. Baptism may be administered by either sprinkling water on the forehead or by full immersion into water.
If you are baptised without belief in God there is no real consequence. I would not suggest it, as it is a symbol we Christians use to state that we are of Christ. Kind of like a Jew celebrating Christmas. It really has no major fallout but it also doesn't allign with the beliefs of that particular person.
Roman Catholic AnswerThe sacraments, including baptism, work
ex opere operato. In other words, by the very act of the baptism being performed grace is given by God through the sacrament of baptism. One is washed from original sin and made a child of God.
from Modern Catholic Dictionary by John A. Hardon, S.J. Doubleday & Co., Inc. Garden City, NY 1980
Ex opere operato. A term defined by the council of Trent to describe how the sacraments confer the grace they signify. Trent condemned the following proposition: "that grace is not conferred 'ex opere operato' by the sacraments of the New Law" (Denzinger 1608). Literally the expression means "from the work performed" stating that grace is always conferred by a sacrament, in virtue of the rite performed and not as a mere sign that grace has already been given, or that the sacrament stimulates the faith of the recipient and thus occasions the obtaining of grace, or that what determines the grace is the virtue of either the minister or recipient of a sacrament. Provided no obstacles (obex) is placed in the way, every sacrament properly administered confers the grace intended by the sacrament. In a true sense the sacraments are instrumental causes of grace.
Baptism is the Sacrament in which, by water and the word of God, a person is cleansed of all sin and reborn and sanctified in Christ to everlasting life. (Etym. Latin baptisma; from Greek baptisma, a dipping.
from The Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition, English translation 1994
1213 Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua), and the door which give access to the other sacraments. through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God' we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made shares in her mission: "Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word."
1214 This sacrament if called Baptism, after the central rite by which it is carried out: to baptize (Greek baptizein means to "plunge" or "immerse"; the "plunge" into the water symbolizes the catechumen's burial into Christ's death, from which he rises up by resurrection with him, as "a new creature."
1216 "This bath is called enlightenment, because those who receive this [catechetical] instruction are enlightened in their understanding. . . ." Having received in Baptism the Word, "the true light that enlightens every man," the person baptized has been "enlightened," he becomes a "son of light," indeed he becomes "light" himself:
Baptism is God's most beautiful and magnificent gift . . . We call it gift, grace, anointing, enlightenment, garment of immortality, bath of rebirth, seal, and most precious gift. It is called gift because it is conferred on those who bring nothing of their own; grace since it is given even to the guilt; Baptism because sin is buried in the water; anointing for it is priestly and royal as are those who are anointed; enlightenment because it radiates light; clothing since it veils our shame; bath because it washes; and seal as it is our guard and the sign of God's Lordship.
1266 The Most Holy Trinity gives the baptized sanctifying grace, the grace of justification:
- enabling them to believe in God, to hope in him, and to love him through the theological virtues;
- giving them the power to live and act under the prompting of the Holy Spirit through the gifts of the Holy Spirit;
- allowing them to grow in goodness through the moral virtues.
Thus the whole organism of the Christian's supernatural life has its roots in Baptism.
