Is there a religious or legal difference between being married by a justice of the peace or ship captain?

Question

Verses being married by a pastor/prient/reverend or other representative of the church?

This question spawned from a question someone else had about should government be involved in marriage at all. The arguement there was that what is marriage legally and religiously should be separated. Civil union provided by the state for the state. Marriage provided by the Church for the Church. The state could have wide ranging determinants for who can be in a civil union like homosexuals would be allowed. Civil Unions defined by two individuals. While the Church could define who would be married by their creedo. You'd have to get both to have both see you the same way but only if you want that.

Answer 1

Religious difference, yes. Otherwise, make sure that they are legally allowed to do so by your country of origin.

Answer 2

Legal - probably not but you cannot equate it with a religious ceremony. Religious ones are also authorized to perform civil ceremonies but not the other way around so being married by a priest that is licensed to legally perform the marriage in the state you get married in is also a legal ceremony. Getting married by a judge or a captain has no bearing of the religious views of the participants.

Answer 3

There is probably a religious difference, but there's definitely not a legal difference. You'd have to ask a pastor or priest if they think God recognizes marriages performed by justices of the peace. I don't think it really matters all that much. If you and someone else want to commit to each other, and you invite God to be part of your relationship, then God will be a part of your relationship. I don't particularly see what the pastor has to do with it.

Answer 4

It becomes Maritime law and to perform the ceremony the Ships Captain must have a valid Captains license, and be out to sea by at least 3 nautical miles before the ceremony can be done.

Then the Captian has to fill out all of the paper work and process it.

It's not just hope in the boat and say I do...

Answer 5

No!
Marriage is a commitment of two people to bond as one whole.
I can only elaborate as a christian as my belief in God doesn't allow me to speculate any other way!
It doesn't matter who it is that marries you as long as it's recognized by the legal system!
A personal belief of my own is that two people can have such a devoted passion for one another that they be married in Gods eye's even without the legal ceremonial process.
It's my opinion that the legal process is a formality that legally protects certain rights for both parties should the hearts harden and a need to separate arises.

Answer 6

They are all required to fill out the proper paper work to register the union.. Is a law of society, rather than being one of a religious requirement. All for the purpose of recording.

Answer 7

it is religious. A ship captain is not a priest or a minister. It is just a legal ceremony

Answer 8

depends on your religion. if youre a churchgoer, its probably best to be married by a clergyman. If you aren't then theres no need to get married by one. Of course you can't leave out the "elope to vegas and have an elvis impersonator do the deed" option

Answer 9

as long as the person performing the ceremony is licensed in that state to perform a marriage, than it doesn't matter if its your pastor, or colonel sanders.

Answer 10

yes , It's only a farce to be married by a ships caption unless hr also holds minister rights