2007-07-25 04:17:10 · 33 answers · asked by NHBaritone 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Marriage is a civil ceremony which has nothing to do with religion. Religionists like to include the official part of the civil ceremony (the signing of the Register) in a religious ceremony but the part that makes you married is the civil part.
In other words, you can be married without the religious ceremony but not without the civil ceremony.
The real question, if there is one at all, is that given that the religious part of the ceremony is meaningless as far as the official institution of marriage is concerned, why do non-atheists get married?
2007-07-25 04:19:28 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 15⤊ 2⤋
Are you some kind of self-rightious bone head?
Marriage is a CIVIL UNION. Just because many folk choose to involve a religious ceremony with it. Nothing religious is required to become married. A simple verbal commitment and signing of the appropriate papers in front of an authorized person and at least two witnesses is what makes a marriage. Anything religious or spiritual is added for personal prefference.
Wake Up !!!
2007-07-25 04:38:39 · answer #2 · answered by Captain Jack ® 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Churches aren't the only place you can get married. I got married by a Justice of the Peace, repeat, Justice of the Peace, in a court of Law. This is legal and binding. Peace from what? From having to chose from one of the thousands of divisions in Christianity, for a preacher to marry you. Its a legality they preform, it has nothing to do with religion. In the old days you had no choice but to be within the folds of some church to get married. Revelation says that when Babylon falls - no more will the sound of a Bride and Groom be heard in "her". What do you think that means numb nuggets?
The Justice of the Peace was set in place for those who live in a democracy and chose freedom from religious abuse.
2007-07-25 04:37:13 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why shouldn't they be allowed to get married? Why shouldn't gays be allowed to get married?
Marriage in its most simple form is a CIVIL contract performed by the government as a business contract to partner together. Civil contracts do not exclude anyone based on religious beliefs, race, sex or sexual orientation.
Many religions also perform weddings based on their particular beliefs but the ceremony officiant has to be acknowledged by the governement for it to be a legally binding contract otherwise it is merely a sacrament performed before the God/Goddess of the participants choice.
2007-07-25 04:43:32 · answer #4 · answered by Unity 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
why should christians be allowed to dress up for halloween? you ask a stupid question. marriage is not a religious ceremony; it doesnt even require clergy. it is a recognition by the state of a union of two people. in a lot of countries, people are married by the government before a religious ceremony is performed, with the government wedding being the legally binding one. what does atheism have to do with marriage?
2007-07-25 04:25:25 · answer #5 · answered by bluecollaraddict 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Because marriage involves 7 or so commitments, only one of which is required to meet the minimum.
1) Self commitment
2) Commitment to your partner(s)
3) Commitment to your higher power
4) Commitment to your government/law
5) Commitment to your friends and family
6) Commitment to your community
7) Commitment to your future (current) children
ALL of the commitments work BOTH ways. Which is why there is often at least one public ceremony (with a feast as a bribe) to get the return commitment from friends, family, and community.
ADD: Marriage is STILL marriage even if one or more of these is not present! I have been to plenty of hand fastings where there was a commitment to everyone but the government and they lived as such. I have been to "gay" marriages that took place BEFORE the laws were changing, in that case every commitment was present except the law and part of the community, but a commitment still took place and was lived.
2007-07-25 04:33:42 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
by your pf I see that you are an atheist......not sure why you would ask this question except to get a reaction which I'm sure you will. Or, maybe it is to make a point....like atheists are sub-human or something to Christians...in their viewpoint. I perceive that you are bitter....probably with good reason. I am so sorry for whatever has happened to you. Christians are not all that way. We need to look up...to Jesus...He is the only one who can fix all this mess. I speak from experience and I am still a work in progress. Take care.
2007-07-25 04:27:08 · answer #7 · answered by bethybug 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Damn, I forgot about this kind of question when somebody else asked about "drinking questions."
Insofar as marriage is a secular institution with associated rights in our secular society, I see no reason to exclude atheists - or, for that matter, gay people. I don't think any atheist wants to have a religious ceremony in a church.
dadof2 made the best point on here so far, though, in my opinion - "Why should Christians be allowed to divorce?"
2007-07-25 04:20:52 · answer #8 · answered by jonjon418 6 · 5⤊ 1⤋
Marriage can be a religious union, or simply a civil union. It's your choice.
Atheists would not marry in a church or have a ceremony with any religious tones. They get married at a court house or by a JOP (Justice of the Peace) or perhaps on a cruise ship by the Captain.
2007-07-25 04:20:08 · answer #9 · answered by kja63 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
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Good question. Obviously they are allowed to get married and yet they do not honour any religion BUT this is why gay marriage is denied (supposedly to protect the sanctity of religious marriage)....so if Atheists can get married then so should gay people.
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2007-07-25 04:22:53 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋