Can an atheist marry a religious woman in a church?

Question

For example, they ask if they will raise the child to that religion, what if the atheist says no? Can the church refuse to marry?

Just curious

Answer 1

A minister can legally refuse to marry a couple for any reason. That is one that would probably get that to happen. I would suggest to any religious/atheist couple that they discuss these matters before the ceremony and select an officient who won't do this.

Answer 2

Many churches will refuse to marry that couple. This isn't to punish the atheist, it is to prevent a marriage that would likely end in divorce. When a couple marries it is important to share values and beliefs. How could a Christian be happily married to an atheist who thinks they're nuts or deceived for believing in God? How can an atheist marry someone who will be constantly worried about their partners soul?

If these things are of no concern you need to think about why you want to get married in a church. If neither of you are religious it would be hypocritical to get married in a church. If you are not religious why not hire a judge to marry you in a garden, park or historical building?

If one of you has strong convictions towards religion and you marry- you will end up divorced. You would be better off waiting for someone who shares your values.

Answer 3

A church or minister has the right to refuse to do any ceremony. So you need to find someone that fits your needs.

To find an officiant type into your search engine your city, state & wedding officiant. (no 's' on the end) You should have a few to choose from.


Make sure you can communicate well with whomever you choose. There are a lot of us that do interfaith, religious, civil & spiritual (no specific religion just spiritual in nature) ceremonies. Find one that will create a ceremony just for you.

If you go through a bridal site & see someone you think you would like, visit their website. Most of those bridal sites make vendors & officiants pay to find out your info and so you might not hear from some you had hoped.

Answer 4

Yes a church CAN refuse to marry an athiest to someone of the church. I doubt a TRUE Athiest would even partake of a church wedding because they do not believe in ANY form of religion. Their lives are not based on any form of higher power so a church wedding would be totally irrelevant to them. Also an Athiest would HAVE to say no when asked if raising a child in ANY religion...otherwise they are NOT an Athiest.

Answer 5

Plenty of non-religious people get married in churches. They may or may not say whatever the clergyperson wants to hear--but they usually have no problem getting married.

The church should be happy, if they know one party is not religious, that at least he was willing to make the bride happy and marry in church.

Note: The Catholics are usually stricter than the Protestants on this--but times have changed--it's not as tough as it once was.

Answer 6

Well it's up the preacher to marry people under his discretion, but no Christian woman would ever consider marrying someone of a different religion. If she's willing to marry you, don't worry she's not a Christian anyway, so you have nothing to worry about. Get married have a ball. There's a pastor out there somewhere that will marry you two.

Answer 7

Yes, the pastor/priest/minister can refuse to marry the two of you in their church.

Answer 8

Yes you can still marry in a church!

Answer 9

Yeah, they can marry in the church. Well, maybe not cathloic churches. My friend was pregnant and she couldn't get married in the catholic church, but I think you can if you are protestant.

Answer 10

i'd, although i'm no longer retaining it would very last. i ought to work out her attempting to transform me, arguments over the youngsters' faith, no matter if to baptize the youngsters, my children insulting and hating me for being an atheist in the experience that they chosen a non secular route, her family members attempting to transform me and hating me, and and so on.