I read a letter to an advice colomn about an Athiest couple that got married by a justice of the peace. However, the groom's parents were extreemly religious Christians and refused to acknowlage their marrage because they didn't have a church service or get married by a priest. At family gatherings, they still referred to his wife as "Our son's girlfriend," and wouldn't let the couple sleep in the same room with eachother when staying at the parents' house over night.
Is this a common thing? If you're a Christian, would you treat your children like this is they didn't get married by a priest?
2006-08-09 13:22:19 · 6 answers · asked by Girl Wonder 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Sorry, it should be "IF they didn't get married by a priest."
2006-08-09 13:23:06 · update #1
No, not all Christian parents are this strict about their beliefs, but, since it is their house, their son ought to respect their wishes when he stays there.
I'm wondering, if they are atheists, how would it have hurt them to have the traditional church wedding their parents wanted for them, anyhow?
2006-08-09 13:30:46 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Girl wonder,
You have answered some of my posts and you are very forward direct and honest and I appreciate that very much. It shows that you are aware and alert because you ask very hard questions.
As for your post whether a couple gets married by justice of the peace or a church God considered them married.
I know a pastor and his wife that God married at the justice of the peace and our dear friends got married on Valentines day at the justice of the peace and they are happily married.
My husband and I got married in a church auditorium it was a very happy and relaxed ceremony not stuffy or formal.
The parents are being very unreasonable and very hypocritical and if they are truly involved and are Christians they would love one another and not be acting so fresh and mean to this couple.
I will pray to God about this situation and this was a very good post. God bless you. Encourager4God
2006-08-11 14:57:16 · answer #2 · answered by encourager4God 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like the parents in question were fundamentalist Catholics. If you are Catholic and not married by a Catholic priest, the Church does not recognize your marriage as valid. Personally, I think if a couple makes a promise to each other to stay together, God still sees it, whether they're in a church or not.
2006-08-09 20:31:41 · answer #3 · answered by spunk113 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm athiest, and my husband and I got married by a judge. We're married in the eyes of the law. My mother's side of the family is religious, and no one seems to care. They're just glad we're happy.
And even though I'm athiest, I wouldn't care if my child wanted a church wedding. If that's what they believe in, they have my blessing.
2006-08-09 20:30:38 · answer #4 · answered by ? 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am a catholic-raised agnostic and nope, I wouldn't have any issue with my children (whenever I do have some) deciding to get married in a church, synagogue, mosque, local tavern, city hall or whatever kind of marriage ceremony that they chose to have as long as they are happy to get married to the persons they are marrying and that persons are also happy to marry them.
2006-08-09 20:34:42 · answer #5 · answered by p.g 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think this is more of a Catholic tradition. I believe that most traditional Christians recognize marriage that is recognized by the state.
2006-08-09 20:33:36 · answer #6 · answered by foxray43 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋