Why aren't atheist marriages illegal?

Question

Some Christians say that marriage requires God. I say God is imaginary and the bible is fake. My friends' wedding last month was presided by over a judge, with no bible and not one mention of God, Jesus or any supernatural mythology.

I reject your God, therefore I reject His supposed definition of marriage. Marriage is a civil contract regulated by the government. Married people filing taxes differently has nothing to do with church and everything to do with law.

So, if according to the first ammendment, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion...", it means you can't outlaw it because *your* Holy scripture says it's wrong.

Why do certain Christians assume only Christian marriages are legal?

Yes, Christy! That's exactly what I'm saying.

Quella Bella: Even same sex marriage?

Answer 1

Excellent point. If Christians claim that homosexuals ruin the sanctity of marriage, do they also believe that atheists ruin the sanctity of marriage as well? Why aren't they fighting to outlaw atheist unions too?

Answer 2

If you paint a picture or write a poem did you create it?
Do women and men create children?
So what is wrong about God creating man and woman?
Marriage requires God, if you believe in God. Marriage is a contract between two people. The church gives out marriage certificates and the Government gives out a license. The Church is a club with membership if you are not in the club the you don't get the golden ring. The Government is the problem. It will not issue a license two same sex people. Remember the Country was founded by and on Christianity.
They rule and if you do not like it you should move to another country that tolerates same sex marriage, be warned many Countries will put you prison or put to death for such behavior.
The Christians recognize all marriages between man and women....This has been done since man dragged theirs knuckles on the ground and religion was the moon, sun, fire,ect...ect..and they killed the gays. But the Government should recognize to people living together such as common in law. The decision is made by the state and not the USA Government.

Answer 3

I see what you're saying. Getting married in churches in kind of a cultural thing. Usually anytime a wedding is portrayed on television programs or in movies, it almost always takes place in a church (or at least is presided over by a minister if it takes place outside.) You see this even if the characters have never been implied to be religious. I think one of the reasons for this is getting married by a justice of the peace in a courthouse doesn't seem all that romantic to the average woman who imagines a dream wedding. (Coincidentally, I'm a woman who has never thought about an ideal wedding or really my future wedding at all, not even as a little girl. Does that make me weird?)

Just so you know, I'm a Christian that supports gay marriage and anyone else who wants to marry, for love (hopefully) and/or for their union to be recognized by the law.
I know that without being married, couples have no rights to the other's biological child(ren) and are not currently entitled to other rights and benefits that married couples have. Some changes really need to be made.

Guess I should add that I'm talking about America here, lol.

Answer 4

Gay marriage is legal in Finland and Sweden as well. They are only missing the right to adopt children. I believe, they will get to adopt children within some years. . Our lesbian couples already may have children, because women can get pregnant with any man who wants to help them to have a child. Finland's protestant evangelical lutheran christian church (the mainstream) has female priests and there are some lesbians as well. Naturally they were first objected by some of the male priests, but the heads of the institution in Finland did not accept the arbitrary behavior of their male workers and forced them to work with their female counterparts. If male priests will reject working, they have to be without job or then we nordic pagans may stone them for disappointing us and not serving gender equality. Share of atheists might be percentually greater and they make more noise about themselves. That's why their rights are probably more protected? You're right that marriage is not christian thingie only and it's roots are not in christianity. In Finland civil union = marriage. There is no any difference. Hearing blahblahblach at church is not the only definition for marriage. Nordic civil union is exactly same and marriage has nothing to do with god in the end. Marriage is a legal non-religious agreement in the first place that affects taxation of family and the policy how bequest is shared.

Answer 5

The Catholic Church recognizes that the institution of marriage was established before all religions and therefore recognizes any valid marriage according to the pattern of the first one.

The government would be responsible to regulate marriage according to antiquity. Religion has nothing to do with it, really.

On your "same-sex marriage" edit: This concept is a modern one. There was no same-sex marriage in antiquity. At that time, people who wanted same-sex contact would either have a fling outside their marriage or not marry in the first place. In that case, it is still prudent to have laws prohibiting extra-marital sex to avoid "Betrayed Spouse Kills" headlines.

Answer 6

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof"
These laws were made in opposition to "The Church of England" They wanted to Worship Jesus as they chose. Also, Sorry before there was a USA, there was marriage.So where was marriage spoken of before America: in the Bible. Yes hard to believe, I know, but the Bible is older than our beloved country. No one can change the definition of an institution because they want to. "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh" That is the definition of marriage. Not-" lets go to the courthouse and get hitched than two days later I don't like so let's go back to the same judge and get unhitched."
Also prohibiting the free exercise thereof includes prohibiting what we believe about marriage

Answer 7

I suppose atheists will have to take this up with God, won't they?
Meantime, a "civil union" might be legal, but it doesn't seem to be very binding. Heck, there are still places in the U.S. where "common law" marriage is still "legal".
God also doesn't recognize "no fault divorce", but that is something else folks will be taking up with Him.
Somehow, I have the notion that you are leading up to "gay marriage"...
And again, I will say the same thing. Make it legal, if enough people vote that way. It won't change a thing. It will still be "illegal" in the Kingdom of God, and His is the final authority.
Neither I, or any of these others, as far as I know, have a personal appointment to sit on His Advisory Committee. We can only do our level best to obey His laws to the best of our ability, and urge others to do the same.
Take it up with Him...

EDIT:
I wonder which you rejected first?
God?
or His definition of marriage?
Seems as if most folks who "reject God" have more of a problem with His laws than they have with Him.
I've been noticing that quite alot since I've been in this forum. It seems that most (not ALL) of the atheists in here are also homosexual.
Maybe if people would stop worrying about gaining men's approval, and begin worrying about straightening things out with God, we wouldn't have so much hate going on...

Answer 8

I agree with you. Marriage is a legal contract to help decide your tax situations. A marriage license is a legal document turning two people into financial partners. My own marriage is based on love, and it doesn't matter to me how the government or any church views it. My dad is Catholic and doesn't like my civil marriage. I would change it to please Dad, but I don't want to fake faith just to get a rubber stamp of approval from the church.

Answer 9

Do they assume that only Christian marriages are LEGAL or do they assume that only Christian marriages are VALID (in the eyes of God)? Two different things.

Anyhow, my husband is Muslim and we got married in his country legally (just on paper) but are going to have a secular wedding in my country when we go.

I suppose you support gay marriage then, right? (I do, I'm just checking)

Answer 10

Well to be honest with you no religious marriage is legal. You have to have a marriage license or it's not legal. You can go to a minister or whatever and it doesn't make the marriage legal, only that little piece of paper that you have to get from the local courthouse can make it legal.

Answer 11

But I do not believe that a marriage has to be before God but it helps. I'm a Christian and I do believe a Holy union requires God. I'm Christian and I don't think I'm better than anyone.

Marriage between a man and women should be accepted regardless of their religion and when non Christians marry I certainly look at it as a marriage. But if they don't believe in God they shouldn't marry in his house; being the church. That doesn't even seem right. I mean why marry at a church when you don't believe in it? What's the point?