I am an Atheist and my husband is a Methodist Christain. He insisted we be married by his grandfather who is a methodist preacher, in his home,not a church. What does it mean since my marriage ceremony was conducted under christian guidelines? I do not believe in god, so do my vows count?
2006-10-06 05:10:25 · 17 answers · asked by Ash 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
We have been together for almost 7 years and married for 5 of those years, so our beliefs seperating us is not an issue. I asked this question in the aspect of our union being constituted by something that is not real to me, that does not exist in my eyes. Maybe there is another ceremony in which we can make commitments or vows that are not based upon any religion where we are joined under the bases of our love? And I did not ask this question to have my beliefs questioned, if he hasnt managed to convert me in 7 years, neither will you guys. I appreciate any answers..thnx
2006-10-06 05:37:00 · update #1
That is for you to decide.
Since you are not bound by the constraints of religious belief, you can elect to honor the vows as symbols of your commitment to your husband and not as spiritual regulations, or you can consider them unwarranted and meaningless because you lack the appropriate respect for their Christian dogma.
Either way, you should probably let your hubby know how you feel about the vows, and whether or not you should have another, more secular ceremony.
2006-10-06 05:15:37 · answer #1 · answered by jimvalentinojr 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The question of validity is yes it is valid, since in the eyes of God, all marriages are a Holy union between two consenting adults. I believe that like before mentioned you should have asked yourself this question before marrying. The belief of God is important to your Husband and this must be taken into consideration by yourself and whether or not you are willing to open up to also believing.
Your husband is first for you now that you are married, and you are that to him as well. I dont think it is a question of belief but a question of did you mean it when you did your vows from your heart, the rest is taken care of by your husbands belief, read St. Pauls letter in which he clearly addressed this situation.
The Bible is more than a book, it is life.
God bless you and your new life.
2006-10-06 12:31:17 · answer #2 · answered by Perhaps I love you more 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's still legal.
Now, is it valid under Methodist policy? You'll have to ask your grandfather about that. Even Methodists vary in what they believe. In general, I view the Methodists as the more open-minded Christians.
I will point out that you may not quite be the nonbeliever of God if you are worried about your vows counting. Life is a learning experience, so I encourage you to think hard on this. Why did you ask if your vows count? It should only matter to you and your husband, right?
2006-10-06 12:13:13 · answer #3 · answered by Rev Kev 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If you are a person of integrity I would hope that you keep your word. What is a vow anyway? It is YOUR word. It doesn't rely on the context of the vow. The vow you made was to your husband right? The traditional vows are based on biblical principles of loving your spouse, but they are still good vows outside of belief in God. Now, if you made a vow to love God all your life and serve Him, you may be in some trouble. God expects us to be true to our vows to Him as well.
2006-10-06 12:29:44 · answer #4 · answered by BaseballGrrl 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The marriage ceremony is really just a legal issue. As long as you talked with your husband prior to getting married about your beliefs and if he understood those beliefs then I wouldn't worry about what the church or his grandfather thinks.
2006-10-06 12:19:03 · answer #5 · answered by ndmagicman 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your vows "count" even if you're both athiest. A vow is the same as a promise. If you promsie to stay with him forever, and you break that promise, you're a liar no matter if you're a Christian, an Athiest, or an alien.
2006-10-06 12:15:08 · answer #6 · answered by Sifu Shaun 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Haha, I often wondered this as well.... I went through the same thing... I'm the atheist in the relationship...
I'm going to go with your vows are what you make of them and leave them at that.
2006-10-06 12:33:06 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Totally. But I think if your husband is a true Christian, you two should rethink your marriage. You will not change each other and heartache will come around. I know this from experience.
2006-10-06 12:13:21 · answer #8 · answered by Free Girl Now 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I agree with the last answer. You should rethink your marriage. Your husband will eventually some day go on to a better place after death but you will just cease to exist (?) - so don't get to attached.
2006-10-06 12:21:44 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Your vows are to your husband, not to god. You made those promises to him.
2006-10-06 12:14:32 · answer #10 · answered by David W 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋