This might sound like a stupid question but i'm curious all the same. Each religion has it's own way of marrying couples. If Atheist dont believe in religion, how do they get married? or do they just dont and just live together?
Excuse my ignorance.
2007-05-03 17:25:38 · 25 answers · asked by Nanook~Maybe I need a longer Name?~ 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
justice of peace? Whatdat?
2007-05-03 17:32:10 · update #1
Theists' marriages generally consist of getting the marriage certificate, then having the religious ceremony. Atheists generally do the same thing, except that their 'ceremony' simply isn't religious. They get their paperwork, then just simply have a party with friends. That's what a wedding is without priests and churches, anyhow. :)
2007-05-03 17:34:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are both religious and legal elements to marriage. Legally, marriage is a contract (traditionally) between a man and a woman. The essential element is a marriage license.
Marriage in the US is regulated by the states, so the laws vary. Usually the state laws provide any recognized member of the clergy (such as a Priest, Minister, Rabbi, Imam, Cantor, Ethical Culture Leader, etc.), or a judge, a court clerk, and justices of the peace have authority to perform a marriage. However in some states even the clergy must be first certified or licensed.
Some states have laws that permit other persons to apply for authority to perform marriage ceremonies. For example, California law permits anyone to apply for permission to become a Deputy Commissioner of Marriages -- the grant of authority is valid for one day -- and thus officiate at the wedding of family or friends on that one day.
http://usmarriagelaws.com/search/united_states/officiants_requirements/index.shtml
My wedding ceremony was performed by a friend who was a minister of the Universal Life Church. This organization will ordain anyone as a minister.
I have no reason to think that atheists are more likely to live together without marriage than believers.
2007-05-03 17:52:21 · answer #2 · answered by Irene F 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I thought that people got married for the tax breaks... otherwise what's the point?? One shouldn't need a silly piece of paper or ceremony to know that they're in love with someone and going to spend the rest of their lives together!
I am going to have a largeee party and a poetry reading as my wedding "ceremony" and I guess I'll invite a justice of the peace so I can get my tax cut.
Also, what's this about Atheists not believing in religion?? That's not true at all-- just look around and its evident that religions exist. Atheists believe that they just don't have a plausible base.
2007-05-03 23:16:15 · answer #3 · answered by queenie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A Justice of the Peace in other words a Judge marries them.
2007-05-03 17:36:22 · answer #4 · answered by Mariah 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sixteen years ago, my husband I were married at the Justice of the Peace at the Rapid City County Courthouse in South Dakota. The ceremony was witnessed by my mother and step-father, and several of our friends were there.
Justice of the Peace aka a Judge.
2007-05-03 17:56:25 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The marriage ceremony is for the extended family as much as it is for the couple. My wife and I decided to have a wedding presided by a relative who is an ordained Universal Unitarian minister, who was happy to work with us to write a script that paid tribute to the institution of marriage without invoking 'god'. We borrowed the Jewish tradition of using a chuppah, because we liked the symbolism and intimacy of having our four closest friends holding a 'roof' over our heads. The ceremony included some beautiful music and poetry. We also chose a klezmer band to play for the reception, but one that I knew was capable of both excellent traditional klezmer but also 'outside' jazz klezmer. They were a big hit! We had about 120 guests, and many of them congratulated us for having a lovely ceremony with a nice mix of traditions.
It is possible to replace religious traditions with secular ones and give everyone at least part of what the expect.
2007-05-03 17:51:51 · answer #6 · answered by Jim L 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The cheapest would be to have a civil ceremony before a judge. I'd guess that if an atheist couple could also have a non-religious authority figure officiate at their wedding, or they could come up with their own ritual.
2007-05-03 17:36:30 · answer #7 · answered by crypto_the_unknown 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am an atheist. My wife and I were married by a friend of the family who, vested with the authority of the state and county of New York, officiated at the ceremony. She also is a family court judge.
2007-05-03 18:14:39 · answer #8 · answered by CC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its all depends you get married in the eyes of the law.
You can have a religious ceremony if one person is of a religion?? I mean people still have all the other stuff just cut the religion out of the picture.
2007-05-03 17:32:32 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well sometimes even irreconcilable differences are put aside for a good lay. I really think it would make an interesting reality TV show filming the couple and their children around Christmas time. Some conflict is kewl.. even healthy ..... different opinions still work in a relationship.
2016-05-20 01:05:36 · answer #10 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋