Why do atheists want to get married when they dont believe in god?

Question

I am just wondering because I dont believe in god and therefore would not get married because I am not religious...but some people still do even though they dont believe isnt that rather hypocritical?? Also why would gay/lesbian people want to get married when religion and churches are so against them? If I was a lesbian I would want to make up an entirely different kind of legal/spiritual union that had nothing to do with organized religion.

I disagree...because despite where marriage originated, today it has everything to do with religion and especially in Canada otherwise why would there be such a big deal about gay marriage from the religious people, but as for the benefits in Canada Common-law partners share all the same legal benefits as married people except they can be compelled to testify in court and they dont always split up 50/50..

In Ontario the Ontario Family Law Act specifically recognizes common law spouses in sec 29 dealing with spousal support issues; the requirements are living together for three years or having a child in common and having "cohabitated in a relationship of some permanence." The three-years must be continuous; however a breakup of a few days during the one-year period will not affect a person's status as common law [1]. However, the part that deals with marital property excludes common law spouses as sec. 2 defines spouses as those who are married together or who entered into a void or voidable marriage in good faith. Thus common law partners do not always evenly divide property in a breakup, and the courts have to look to concepts such as the constructive or resulting trust to divide property in an equitable manner between partners. Another difference that distinguishes common law spouses from married partners is that a common law partner can be compelled to testify against his or her pa

Also when getting a marriage terminated or anulled reigion is involved, Different religions have different beliefs as regards the breakup of marriage. For example, the Roman Catholic Church believes it is morally wrong to divorce, and divorcées cannot remarry in a church marriage, though they can do in the eyes of the law. In the area of nullity, religions and the state often apply different rules, meaning that a couple, for example, could have their marriage annulled by the Catholic Church but still be married in the eyes of the law because the state disagrees with the church over whether an annulment could be granted in a particular case. This produces the phenomenon of Catholics getting church annulments simultaneously with state divorces, allowing the ex-partners to marry other people in the eyes of both the church and the state

If you are married in only the justice of the peace well then it isnt as closely tied to religion, but however you try to deny it marriage and religion are very closely interwined and most if not all vows are religious in origin unless you write your own...also I am not saying there is anything wrong with marriage I was just asking a pertinent question in my view and unlike many of you I dont respond to questions with simple malice but and I AM NOT KNOCKING ANYONE DOWN FOR PERCIEVING THAT MARRIAGE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH RELIGION. I am only asking why someone who doesnt believe in god would associate themselves with a union that is so intertwined with religion.

Also in Canada.....God is the exclusive ultimate legislative authority on the lawful definition of marriage in Canada. The laws of God are supreme in Canada. according to our laws.

Answer 1

Atheist here.

Civil marriage give me legal benefits, as well as some contractual benefits with credit institutions, that I can't get by just living together with my loved one. I don't care for religious marriages of any kind. I think the civil marriage give us better protections than just living together without any civil act. This is from my country's view, of course. In my country they do not mention god or the bible in a civil marriage, it's a complete laic ceremony.

Answer 2

Religion has nothing to do with marriage. Marriage is a LEGAL and therefore CIVIL contract.
Try getting married in a church without the legal papwerwork, you can't.
Now get married by a justice of the peace and don't make mention of god or any other magic sky-pixie, no problem at all.
See the difference?

Answer 3

Think about it: marriage ceremonies usually involve standing up in front of Friends and Family and PROMISING to love someone Forever. (god already knows if you love someone or not)
this should be a very powerful thing emotionally for everyone, and is at the heart of why we do it with Whitnesses.
Why should gays, lesbians, and athiests miss out on this beautiful expression of love?
Also, there are certain terrestrial benefits of LEGAL bonding; tax incentives, medical stuff, property stuff...
As for Gay people wanting the word "marriage", this is mainly a societal acceptance thing. It means they are equal to straight couples. They feel that in the year 2006CE, they should have the same HUMAN rights as everyone else. Shouldn't they get those rights?
PS
Boggart and ED Sawyer are both right.

Answer 4

You have some good answers already about the legal and social aspects.
Marriage is not a Judeo - Christian idea but was originated by North European pagans. In the middle east of course you did not have to marry women, you bought them.
The pagan ideal was that the man and woman would support each other and share responsibility for children although marital fidelity and pre marital chastity were not part of the deal.
Civil marriage is similar now, the churchy bit is just superstition.

http://greenteeth.blog.co.uk/main

Answer 5

That's why many people get married by a justice of the peace - and not by religious ceremony. Marriage is a custom in just about all countries, and usually benefits the couple financially. I've also read that married people tend to live longer than the single do.

Answer 6

As an atheist who is married, I can't quite understand why you think this is hypocritical. Getting married has nothing to do with religious belief. Or at least, it doesn't have to. For me, it is a social, cultural, and legal commitment to my wife. Although I agree that it is not required, I also don't think that there is anything wrong with it. My wife and I lived together for ten years before deciding that marriage was right for us. We are both still very happy, and do not regret it. It was just a continuing evolution of our relationship.

Answer 7

Most atheists get married in civil union ceremony at courthouses and the such. The gov't still sees it as a marriage. And thats what theyd call it too.

Id guess it more of a commitment to each other instead of one before God. Homosexuals want it so they can get insurence easier and see it as a way to legitimize what they do.

Answer 8

I'm happy that you don't believe in God, but still what are you on about?

Marriage is about love and wanting to spend your life with your partner. I am a happily married monogamous atheist. Marriage was around long, long before the god-botherers show up and it will still be here on this great Earth long after we've sent God back to the dusty graveyard of a million other mythologies.

I believe in marriage because I believe in love.

Answer 9

Most states view marriage as a legal economic status, rather than a spiritual one. Becoming married offers certain advantages in a society if it fits your situation. The concept is more legalistic than most people like to think.

Answer 10

Well, there are tax cuts and such for married couples. Also, it makes things a little crazy with legal issues. Like, ever if you lived with this guy for 5 years and you were basically married just not legally married and he got in a car accident, his parents have legal power of you to make decisions on his medical treatment.